Job Description
The GMPS Management Systems Office Associate Director plays a key leadership role in driving continuous improvement within the organization, ensuring that all levels of the business challenge the status quo to meet evolving business needs. By deploying and utilizing MPS (Production System), this professional fosters a culture of operational excellence, using lean principles to enhance efficiency and performance across all functions. This role is pivotal in aligning teams with the MPS framework, empowering individuals at every level of the organization to actively contribute to process improvements and achieve business goals.
Reporting directly to the GMPS Management Systems Office Director, this professional will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that advance capabilities within MPS. The position will require close collaboration with senior leaders, plant managers, and cross-functional teams to drive the successful rollout and integration of MPS practices. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of lean methodologies and possess the expertise to coach, mentor, and lead the organization in achieving measurable improvements through structured, continuous learning and application of MPS principles.
Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, and support deployment, and improve MPS Management System standards with ability to teach and coach and develop others to full competency
- Lead MPS Assessments within the business & report out the results (locally & globally)
- Partner closely with Global Learning and Development (GL&D) to harness their know-how, skills, and company systems to accelerate effective deployment (learning) of GMPS
- Support the design of benchmarking and knowledge management systems to seek out, share, and drive the adoption of industry best practices
- Leverage Change Management expertise enabling coaching and development of others to ensure all MSO activities include appropriate change management and adoption. Support all areas of the Business with Change Execution Management guidance no matter what the program content.
- Partner with and influence functional leaders, plant managers and their leadership teams including GL&D; Engage with sponsors and clients and effectively coach senior leaders
Travel Requirements:
- Due to nature of the work and the requirement to deliver hands-on support of activities, expected travel will be up to 25%
Minimum Education Requirement and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in related field with eight (8) years of MPS competency, change management, operations management, and leadership skills in Pharmaceutical Industry, OR
- Master's Degree in related field with six (6) years of MPS competency, change management, operations management, and leadership skills in Pharmaceutical Industry
Required Experience and skills:
- Successful completion of the Personal Leadership Profile (PLP) Assessment
- Extensive Lean experience: proven deep understanding & successful application
- Excellent skills using IT applications (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Minitab
- Experience in operations management, manufacturing, or related disciplines
- Experience in Pharmaceutical Industry
- Ability to influence decision making and interact with all levels of the business (senior leaders to shop floor working teams, incl. Global Learning Partners)
- Strong project management skills
- Proven team building skills
- Exceptionally good listening skills
- Results oriented
- Strong analytical skills
Preferred Experience and skills:
- Experience with Toyota Production System (TPS) or similar approach
- Lean Six Sigma Certification
- Project Management
- Data Analytics & Statistical Analysis
- Change Management and Organizational Development
- Continuous improvement frameworks and methodologies
- Enterprise Leadership Skills
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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:
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.
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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".
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:
RegularRelocation:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
25%Flexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
1st - DayValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
n/aRequired Skills:
A3 Problem Solving, A3 Problem Solving, Adaptability, Business Administration, Change Management, Communication, Continual Improvement Process, Cultural Change Management, Data Analysis, Driving Continuous Improvement, Effective Listening, General Management, High Performance Team Building, Hoshin Kanri, Knowledge Management, Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Management Process, Manufacturing Operations, Mentorship, Operational Excellence, Operations Management, Organizational Development (OD), Personal Leadership, Pharmaceutical Management {+ 7 more}Preferred Skills:
Job Posting End Date:
06/4/2025*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe 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:R350237
