Job Description

Downstream Operations Manager

Are you ready to lead a dynamic team in a cutting-edge biopharmaceutical environment? Our company is seeking a Downstream Operations Manager who is passionate about driving excellence in production processes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Join us in our mission to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.

Responsibilities:

• Model our company's leadership principles and inclusive behaviors.

• Hire, manage, and develop employees within the team.

• Provide coaching and support skills development and process capabilities within the Integrated Process Team (IPT).

• Offer effective feedback and coaching during the Performance Management cycle and ensure Employee Development Plans (EDP’s) are in place.

• Ensure all operators receive appropriate training for all assigned tasks.

• Manage the effective performance of individuals in their teams.

• Lead Tier and functional team meetings.

• Demonstrate a strong compliance mindset (EHS, Quality, and Finance) and set a high standard for themselves and their team.

• Ensure safe operating instructions for all tasks and equipment are followed.

• Ensure the availability and utilization of the right tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment.

• Report all incidents and near misses within 24 hours and participate in the investigation and identification of effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).

• Support the on-time completion of Quality compliance tasks related to Deviation, CAPA, and Change Control management.

• Support all aspects of Quality Assurance including cGMP, RFT, and good documentation practices and provide coaching to the team.

• Be accountable for the daily, weekly, and monthly schedule adherence of production activities within their department.

• Contribute to creating a culture of continuous improvement and lead by example.

• Sponsor effective problem solving and ensure that resources are available.

• Ensure visibility and communication of key productivity metrics with the teams.

• Implement and execute Standard Work in all functional areas.

• Meet agreed departmental budget for Spend, Transfers to Inventory (TTI), Discards, and Headcount.

• Recognize and investigate opportunities for financial savings.

Qualifications:

Required

• High School Diploma/GED with five years in the vaccine, pharmaceutical, food, or equivalent industry or

• Bachelor’s degree with three years in the vaccine, pharmaceutical, food, or equivalent industry

• Excellent teambuilding skills that focus on mentoring and coaching

• Working knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP’s) or equivalent regulations

• Ability to prioritize, focus on, and obtain results

• Working knowledge of aseptic techniques

• Proficient in Microsoft Office

• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and organizational skills

• Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills

Preferred

• Supervisory experience

• Experience with vaccine manufacturing, Clean in Place (CIP), Steam in Place (SIP)

• Experience in SAP and inventory control

• Lean, Six Sigma experience

This is a weekend night position supporting Thurs-Sun Night production.

Required Skills:

Accountability, Adaptability, Aseptic Manufacturing, cGMP Compliance, Data Analysis, Employee Performance Standards, Interpersonal Relationships, Inventory Management, Leadership, Management Process, Manufacturing Quality Control, Operational Excellence, Packaging Operations, People Leadership, Process Engineering, Process Improvements, Production Scheduling, Sterile Filling

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$96,200.00 - $151,400.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

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.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

3rd - Night

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

02/6/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.