Merck
Associate Director, DSCS Digital Implementation Project Manager
Merck, Rahway, New Jersey, United States, 07065
Associate Director, DSCS Digital Implementation Project Manager
Within the Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) organization, the Digital Project Manager will streamline the execution of our Company's DSCS Digital Strategy to enable a seamless data infrastructure that drives increased speed, capacity and robustness across organizational deliverables. In this role, the DSCS Digital Project Manager will provide tactical direction and partner with the DSCS Digital Leadership Team to drive the execution and management of DSCS Digital initiatives. Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) enables Drug Substance, Drug Product, Analytical Development, and Clinical Supply across all modalities. We are interdependent across our functional areas, Discovery, our Manufacturing Division Quality, and BARDS, to name a few, and with our partners in Finance, HR, IT, and Procurement. Together, we advance scientific and operational excellence at the interfaces of disciplines to translate breakthroughs into important new medicines and vaccines. This has a direct connection to our Company mission, and it will remain our True North. This acceleration will be supported by a foundation and a commitment to innovation and to our people. As a team, we commit to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion so everyone can bring their whole self to work. We are seeking a seasoned Project Manager with a strong background in the biotech industry to lead digital transformation initiatives. This role will focus on helping the team build and manage digital tools that enhance operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making. Under the broad guidance of the DSCS Digital Program Mgmt Lead, the Associate Director, DSCS Digital Project Manager, will be responsible for implementing improved project management methodologies across DSCS Digital use-cases. The ideal candidate should have strong project management and stakeholder management skills and a demonstrated commitment to operational excellence, with an established track record in solving complex problems. Experience in one or more of the areas of Drug Substance development, Drug Product development, Clinical Supply management or Analytical Research is critical for understanding business opportunities, outcomes and execution. A passion for the value that digital solutions can bring to our operations is desirable. The responsibilities include: Project Management: help develop and maintain a comprehensive implementation plan for each use-case, inclusive of timelines, milestones, and resources on portfolio management tool. Ensures appropriate prioritization of critical tasks and manage critical path in each use case and workstream. Stakeholder Management & Communication: in partnership with subteam and workstream leads, identifies and engages key cross-functional partners and stakeholders across functions to ensure execution meets the needs of the business. Facilitates regular use-case team meetings and workshops with Subteam-leads as needed. Create views and communication materials (PPT, Mural, etc) to help team demonstrate value and progress. Metrics management and Rollup: Work with sub-team and use-case leads to track use-case metrics and rollup into program KPIs. Implement and manage any associated measurement methodologies (surveys, forms, etc). Budget Mgmt: in partnership with subteam leads, usecase leads, and finance partners, helps manage use case budgets and forecasts. Support roll up reporting and preparing for budget cycles. Resource Management: in partnership with workstream and subteam leads, helps maintain resource planning data and escalates resource needs and changes. Implementation Oversight: helps ensure the on-time execution of all deliverables associated with each use-case implementation plan Risk Management & Issue Resolution: proactively identifies and interrogates risks and develops appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure successful implementation of project plans. Escalates issues through the risk log and drives problem-solving and resolution within the team. Operating Model Improvement: contribute to the development and improvement of standard work, knowledge management playbooks, and project management tools and dashboards to support deployment of digital solutions across the network. Incorporate relevant digital tools to automate and improve project/program management efficiency where relevant. Cross-Functional Team Leadership: in partnership with Subteam-leads, helps the cross-functional use-case team to ensure successful implementation of digital solutions. Fosters a learning and collaborative team environment. Required Skills and Experience: Experience in drug development or manufacturing, including process or analytical development, characterization, technology transfer, validation/PPQ, commercial manufacturing, and process and plant modeling. General understanding of data sources and IT systems (e.g., Signals, Analytical Instrument data, Spotfire, Thoughtspot, data lakes, dashboards, data models, etc.). Proficiency in portfolio management software such as Planisware, MS Planner/Dynamics 365, etc. Understanding of emerging technologies and digital tools that can be applied to project management (agentic AI, LLMs, etc) Demonstrated ability to create and analyze detailed, cross-functional project plans (including interdependencies) and manage execution against those plans with disciplined urgency. Drives accountability within teams to follow through on commitments. Effective team facilitation, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to establish and maintain inclusive team environments while driving scope and timeline adherence. Strong collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Ability to resolve conflict and drive ownership and accountability. Highly organized and able to drive successful prioritization exercises and change management. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to tailor communications for diverse audiences. Active listener who consistently strives to understand others' perspectives, concerns, and ideas. Preferred Experience and Skills: Process development and/or process characterization experience/deep understanding in drug substance and drug product in biotech or pharma across small and large molecules is preferred Education Minimum Requirement: B.S. in biology, chemistry, engineering, or related field with a minimum of 8 years of experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry; or M.S. in biology, chemistry, engineering, or related field with a minimum of 6 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry; or Ph.D. in biology, chemistry, engineering, or related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Salary Range: $126,500.00 - $199,100.00 The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits. You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
Within the Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) organization, the Digital Project Manager will streamline the execution of our Company's DSCS Digital Strategy to enable a seamless data infrastructure that drives increased speed, capacity and robustness across organizational deliverables. In this role, the DSCS Digital Project Manager will provide tactical direction and partner with the DSCS Digital Leadership Team to drive the execution and management of DSCS Digital initiatives. Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS) enables Drug Substance, Drug Product, Analytical Development, and Clinical Supply across all modalities. We are interdependent across our functional areas, Discovery, our Manufacturing Division Quality, and BARDS, to name a few, and with our partners in Finance, HR, IT, and Procurement. Together, we advance scientific and operational excellence at the interfaces of disciplines to translate breakthroughs into important new medicines and vaccines. This has a direct connection to our Company mission, and it will remain our True North. This acceleration will be supported by a foundation and a commitment to innovation and to our people. As a team, we commit to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion so everyone can bring their whole self to work. We are seeking a seasoned Project Manager with a strong background in the biotech industry to lead digital transformation initiatives. This role will focus on helping the team build and manage digital tools that enhance operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making. Under the broad guidance of the DSCS Digital Program Mgmt Lead, the Associate Director, DSCS Digital Project Manager, will be responsible for implementing improved project management methodologies across DSCS Digital use-cases. The ideal candidate should have strong project management and stakeholder management skills and a demonstrated commitment to operational excellence, with an established track record in solving complex problems. Experience in one or more of the areas of Drug Substance development, Drug Product development, Clinical Supply management or Analytical Research is critical for understanding business opportunities, outcomes and execution. A passion for the value that digital solutions can bring to our operations is desirable. The responsibilities include: Project Management: help develop and maintain a comprehensive implementation plan for each use-case, inclusive of timelines, milestones, and resources on portfolio management tool. Ensures appropriate prioritization of critical tasks and manage critical path in each use case and workstream. Stakeholder Management & Communication: in partnership with subteam and workstream leads, identifies and engages key cross-functional partners and stakeholders across functions to ensure execution meets the needs of the business. Facilitates regular use-case team meetings and workshops with Subteam-leads as needed. Create views and communication materials (PPT, Mural, etc) to help team demonstrate value and progress. Metrics management and Rollup: Work with sub-team and use-case leads to track use-case metrics and rollup into program KPIs. Implement and manage any associated measurement methodologies (surveys, forms, etc). Budget Mgmt: in partnership with subteam leads, usecase leads, and finance partners, helps manage use case budgets and forecasts. Support roll up reporting and preparing for budget cycles. Resource Management: in partnership with workstream and subteam leads, helps maintain resource planning data and escalates resource needs and changes. Implementation Oversight: helps ensure the on-time execution of all deliverables associated with each use-case implementation plan Risk Management & Issue Resolution: proactively identifies and interrogates risks and develops appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure successful implementation of project plans. Escalates issues through the risk log and drives problem-solving and resolution within the team. Operating Model Improvement: contribute to the development and improvement of standard work, knowledge management playbooks, and project management tools and dashboards to support deployment of digital solutions across the network. Incorporate relevant digital tools to automate and improve project/program management efficiency where relevant. Cross-Functional Team Leadership: in partnership with Subteam-leads, helps the cross-functional use-case team to ensure successful implementation of digital solutions. Fosters a learning and collaborative team environment. Required Skills and Experience: Experience in drug development or manufacturing, including process or analytical development, characterization, technology transfer, validation/PPQ, commercial manufacturing, and process and plant modeling. General understanding of data sources and IT systems (e.g., Signals, Analytical Instrument data, Spotfire, Thoughtspot, data lakes, dashboards, data models, etc.). Proficiency in portfolio management software such as Planisware, MS Planner/Dynamics 365, etc. Understanding of emerging technologies and digital tools that can be applied to project management (agentic AI, LLMs, etc) Demonstrated ability to create and analyze detailed, cross-functional project plans (including interdependencies) and manage execution against those plans with disciplined urgency. Drives accountability within teams to follow through on commitments. Effective team facilitation, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to establish and maintain inclusive team environments while driving scope and timeline adherence. Strong collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Ability to resolve conflict and drive ownership and accountability. Highly organized and able to drive successful prioritization exercises and change management. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to tailor communications for diverse audiences. Active listener who consistently strives to understand others' perspectives, concerns, and ideas. Preferred Experience and Skills: Process development and/or process characterization experience/deep understanding in drug substance and drug product in biotech or pharma across small and large molecules is preferred Education Minimum Requirement: B.S. in biology, chemistry, engineering, or related field with a minimum of 8 years of experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry; or M.S. in biology, chemistry, engineering, or related field with a minimum of 6 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry; or Ph.D. in biology, chemistry, engineering, or related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Salary Range: $126,500.00 - $199,100.00 The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits. You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.