Director, Technical Label Operations

Job Description
The Global Clinical Supply (GCS) organization within our company's Research Laboratories (manages the end-to-end clinical supply chain for the company's portfolio (300+ Phase I-IV Clinical Trials, 200+ Investigator Initiated Studies and 200+ External Collaborations). GCS is accountable for the planning, sourcing, labeling, packaging and delivery of clinical supplies to clinical sites across more than 60+ countries, in compliance with worldwide regulations, company policies and standard operating procedures.

The Director, Technical Label Operations, is a strategic team leader and technical expert within the Global Label Operations Team. The ideal candidate should have a passion for operational excellence, as well as an established track record in continuous improvement of processes/ systems and talent development across global, culturally diverse teams. The incumbent must demonstrate strong strategic and leadership skills to manage and resolve challenges arising from the diverse and dynamic requirements of our complex clinical supply chain.

The key immediate needs and opportunities for the role include

• Integrating teams across US and Switzerland, implementing a new operating model and ways of working.
• Lead a team of technical experts responsible for
• Managing systems, equipment and processes for label operations
• Partnering with IT, suppliers and external partners to trouble-shoot and enhance equipment and systems to minimize disruption to operations
• KPIs, investigations & CAPAs for Label Operations
• Implementation and change adoption for new equipment, systems and tools to deliver digital strategy
• Strengthening talent development and technical expertise, enhancing leadership impact, and cultivating an inclusive, innovative-focused culture.
• Proactively identifying operational risks and implementing data-driven mitigation strategies to ensure strong operational performance.
• Embedding business process continuous improvement that allows for enhanced efficiency with required responsiveness/flexibility to project-specific needs.
• Ensuring effective management and optimization of the technical aspects of the clinical supply chain operations, contributing to the overall efficiency and success of the execution arm of the operations.

Primary Activities (including But Not Limited To)

• Support strategic plans by defining priorities, establishing key performance indicators, and driving change initiatives and process improvements.
• Continuously optimize assets, processes, and resources across the supply chain to maintain compliance and achieve operational excellence.
• Management of systems, equipment and processes for label operations and provide guidance to team on simplification and efficiency opportunities.
• Lead complex, cross-functional investigations and provide guidance to team on problem-solving and effective CAPA.
• Partner cross-functionally and with suppliers and external partners to trouble-shoot and enhance equipment and systems to minimize disruption to operations.
• Lead implementation and change adoption for new equipment, systems and tools within Label Operations to deliver digital strategy.
• Inspire and motivate teams by setting high performance expectations and fostering a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Experience And Skills

• Degree (BSc, MSc, MBA, PhD) in Life Sciences, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration or related discipline
• Experience (10+ years) in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical devices with proven success in Project management and team leadership
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, manage complex projects, and deliver innovative solutions
• Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
• Technical proficiency in Clinical Labelling systems, systems integration and data management tools (e.g. SAP, printer architecture networks, automation)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and drive evidence-based decisions.
• Proficiency in English (verbal and written) at a professional working level

Required Skills
Business Process Improvements, Business Process Improvements, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Clinical Trials Operations, Contract Management, Customer Alignment, Customer-Focused, Data Compilation, Detail-Oriented, Digital Strategy, Driving Continuous Improvement, Financial Forecasting, Inventory Control Management, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Leadership, Management Process, Materials Procurement, Medical Supply Management, Motivating Teams, Negotiation, Operational Excellence, Operations Management, Organizational Performance Management, Outsourcing, People Leadership {+ 4 more}

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

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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

$153, $242,200.00

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

You can apply for this role through https (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
1st - Day

Valid Driving License
No

Hazardous Material(s)
n/a

Job Posting End Date
12/23/2025

• A job posting is effective until PM 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.

Requisition ID
R375523