Associate Director, Planning & Scheduling - Onsite

Job Description

Job Description:

The Global Clinical Supply (GCS) organization manages the “end-to-end” clinical supply for the company’s portfolio.  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 Print Team Lead is responsible for overseeing daily label production operations, ensuring compliance with GMP and quality standards, driving process improvements, supporting team development, and coordinating both local and global labeling activities to meet operational goals efficiently and effectively.

Role requires full

Primary activities:

• Ensure each component or bulk material used in label production is properly identified, not expired, and verified throughout processing, and that it corresponds to the written information on the work order before proceeding to the next step.

• Print, inspect, proof, and maintain accountability for clinical product labels.

• Maintain label inventory, including the disposal of expired materials.

• Serve as a Qualified Trainer.

• Conduct periodic quality inspections during the printing process to ensure product integrity.

• Prepare shipments of labels to external packaging sites.

• Receive bulk labels from booklet manufacturing vendors.

• Participate in equipment-related testing and upgrades.

• Ensure team members perform tasks in accordance with GMP and batch record instructions.

• Initiate and implement process improvements aimed at increasing quality, customer satisfaction, and efficiency.

• Monitor the production schedule on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis while managing group headcount and employee utilization.

• Advance operational capabilities by identifying new opportunities, seeking input from key stakeholders, and implementing ideas.

• Lead, promote, and support the use of innovation and technology in Label Production.

• Regularly evaluate employee performance, conduct development discussions, and complete year-end performance reviews.

• Manage the team, including problem-solving and proactive escalation to next-level management when needed.

• Lead local and global label projects, including organizing meetings and delegating tasks.

• Author, review, and approve standard operating procedures and job aids for packaging and labeling activities.

• Participate in and support internal and external audits.

• Recommend process improvements to enhance team efficiency.

• Coordinate and train new employees.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with four (4) years of relevant experience, or

• High School Diploma or equivalent with six (6) years of relevant experience in Pharmaceutical Operations, preferably in a clinical supply-related area.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• At least two (2) years of experience in management or leadership positions required.

• Minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in supply chain or operations preferred.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across functional boundaries in multicultural environments to align stakeholders and drive tech transfer strategies and solutions.

• Demonstrated problem-solving ability, strong verbal and written communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.

• Strong understanding of clinical supplies and supply chain processes with relevant regulatory and GMP requirements.

• Ability to establish clear goals, delegate effectively, and hold self and others accountable.

• Ability to succeed in a dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.

• Well-developed team facilitation and leadership skills, with the ability to build inclusive team environments.

• Proven project and team management skills.

• Prior experience with SAP is beneficial.

#MSJR

Required Skills:

Company Policies, Customer Satisfaction, Leadership, People Management, Planning, Product Integrity, Quality Standards, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Team Management

Preferred Skills:

Clinical Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Operations

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

The salary range for this role is

$129,000.00 - $203,100.00

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:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

No

Job Posting End Date:

09/15/2026

*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.