Job Description
Location:
Wilmington Biotech Site
Reports to: Director of Digital Manufacturing Operations
Position Summary: Wilmington Biotech is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Associate Director of Digital Manufacturing Operations to join our dynamic team. This essential position drives operational excellence by overseeing a team of automation engineers who are committed to maintaining uninterrupted performance across our manufacturing and utility systems. The Associate Director will play a pivotal role in driving continuous improvements, supporting & managing site led capital projects, and ensuring compliance and audit readiness.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management:
Lead and mentor a team of automation engineers, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
Develop staff capabilities and build depth within the team to ensure effective 24/7 support.
Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to team members.
Operational Support:
Oversee on-site automation support for manufacturing operations including all utility systems, ensuring optimal performance and minimal downtime.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve automation-related issues promptly.
Continuous Improvement & Project Management:
Identify opportunities for process improvements and lead initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
Manage capital projects related to automation, ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.
Compliance & Audit Readiness:
Ensure all automation systems and processes comply with regulatory requirements and internal standards.
Prepare for and support audits, ensuring documentation and processes are audit ready.
Life Cycle Management:
Oversee the life cycle management of automation systems, including upgrades, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Develop and implement strategies for the sustainable management of automation assets.
Budget Control:
Ability to oversee the budget for the digital team, including both operational (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX), to ensure optimal resource allocation and effective cost management.
Serve as the cost champion for the site's Digital Manufacturing Operations (DMO), delivering regular budget updates and forecasts to the Director of Digital Manufacturing Operations and the above-site Finance team.
Collaboration & Communication:
Liaise with above-site Manufacturing Value Teams (MVTs) and counterparts at other company sites to share best practices and drive alignment.
Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels to ensure transparency and collaboration.
Qualifications
Education Minimum Requirements :
Bachelor's degree in electrical, chemical, or control systems engineering
Preferred Skills & Experience:
Minimum of 7+ years of experience in digital systems within a manufacturing environment, with at least 3 years in a leadership/team lead role.
Proven track record of managing complex automation projects and leading teams in a 24/7 operational setting.
Strong knowledge of digital technologies, systems, and best practices.
Experience with process & equipment control applications such as Emerson DeltaV, Allen Bradley, Siemens, Aveva Intouch & PI, etc.
Familiarity with the manufacturing execution systems such as Korber PAS-X, etc.
In-depth understanding of System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and applications' system development
In-depth understanding of project management aspects based on the PMI principles.
Exposure to applications & platforms to support Operations Orchestration (OEE) and Process Optimization (MPI) products.
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
Proficiency in budget management and financial analysis.
Required Skills:
Accountability, Audit Management, Business Process Improvements, Capital Projects, Collaborative Communications, Data Management, Digital Manufacturing, Driving Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Manufacturing, Operational Efficiency, Operational Excellence, Problem Management, Project Management, Quality Management, Real-Time Programming, Regulatory Requirements, Resource Allocation, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Stakeholder Communications, Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld)
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld)
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 (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) 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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights\10\20.pdf)
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 (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)
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
$142,400.00 - $224,100.00
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:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
03/11/2026
*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.
Requisition ID: R386360
