Operations Manager (TCP)

Job Description

For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science.  Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technology.  Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way.

Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence.  Because when it comes to animal health, no one sees it like we do.

Our Company's Animal Health group in Millsboro, DE is a Bio-Technology Center of Excellence that performs vaccine production operations from antigen production through formulation, filling and packaging. 

With expertise in mammalian, insect and avian cell culture production (anchorage & non-anchorage dependent), live bird vaccine production, embryonated egg vaccine production, roller bottle vaccine production, bioreactor vaccine production and downstream processing (water in oil emulsions, aseptic filling, lyophilization, etc.), the Millsboro site supplies and supports products for a wide range of species including poultry, equine, swine, bovine and companion animal.

This position is responsible for managing biological production within the Tissue Culture Production (TCP) Lab as required and will ensure production schedules are met in accordance with all safety procedures and standard operating procedures to meet company product quality standards.

 Primary Responsibilities

• Supervision of facilities, equipment and personnel in TCP, this includes coordination of additional labor, such as temporary employees or other departments

• Review and revise processes and procedures against corporate and regulatory requirements to insure compliance

• Review production records for completeness and compliance to departmental and/or site SOPs

• Provide training to personnel to stay current with all regulatory agencies and corporate policies

• Evaluate personnel and machinery requirements and make and/or implement recommendations for changes and improvements

• Participation in daily activities to understand requirements and issues

• Provide guidance to personnel to maximize throughput while meeting regulatory requirements

• Coordination with vendors to determine equipment options

• Assist in the procurement and installation of new equipment

• Provide effective solutions to projects with a high level of technical difficulties and internal constraints

• Scheduling and planning for TCP requirements

• Coordinate  with blend, filling, packaging and planning personnel to maximize utilization of resources

• Coordinate resources between areas of production utilizing our tier process to meet scheduling needs

• Provide training, coordinate problem solving issues with third party

• Communicate and track critical component issues and work with vendors for resolution

• Ensure proper safety procedures, standard operation procedures and aseptic techniques are followed            

• Review current practices and ensure employees meet or exceed current procedures and techniques 

• Coordinate Systems Applications and Products (SAP) and database entry and the movement of finished goods and in-process products between facilities

• Including inventory movement and production key performance indicators

• Other duties as assigned, such as scheduling equipment maintenance, various trouble shooting and contribute as needed on cross-functional teams 

Education Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or related field of study preferred.

Required Experience and Skills

• At least three (3) years relevant experience in manufacturing; vaccine and/or pharmaceutical industry preferred

• At least two (2) years’ experience in a leadership capacity (supervisory or lead position)

• Working knowledge of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Guidelines

• Proficient in Microsoft Office

• Excellent communication skills

• High analytical and logical problem solving abilities

• Excellent Team building skills that focus on mentoring and coaching

• Working knowledge of aseptic techniques and aseptic filling operations preferred

• Strong knowledge of blending, filling and packaging materials, principles, and operating systems preferred

#MSJR

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Aseptic Manufacturing, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Cell Cultures, cGMP Compliance, Data Analysis, Disease Prevention, Employee Performance Standards, Global Manufacturing, Interpersonal Relationships, Inventory Management, Mammalian Cell Culture, Manufacturing Quality Control, Operational Excellence, Packaging Operations, People Leadership, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Process Engineering, Process Improvements, Procurement, Production Scheduling, Regulatory Compliance, Safety Protocols, Sterile Filling {+ 1 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

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:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

06/30/2026

*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.