Director, External Large Molecule Analytical

Job Description

The Global Quality - Large Molecule Analytical Sciences (GQ-LMAS) team leads the global analytical technical oversight of late-stage pipeline programs through commercialization and launch as well as product lifecycle management support for Large Molecules (Vaccines and Biologics), and Cross-Modality Compounds (e.g. Antibody-Drug Conjugates).

This position will influence life-cycle management of our company’s commercial products and include a specific focus on support of local testing requirements for our company's large molecule commercial products in China. The position will involve direct contact with government laboratories and functions in China (for example CDE and NIFDC) in addition to Contract Manufacturing and Contract Testing Organizations. These interactions will include technical discussions and troubleshooting assistance as needed to enable and maintain robust local testing programs in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of our company's biologics and vaccines products in China.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Establish and maintain an excellent professional relationship with scientists working in China's government and contract testing laboratories.

• Support establishment of test methods and provide troubleshooting assistance as needed for testing laboratories and engage additional subject matter experts as needed to assist in resolution of technical issues.

• Facilitate and support logistics activities (for example, reagent and sample shipments from to China).

• Lead and/or participate on global cross-functional teams and work effectively with multiple disciplines and personalities to facilitate rapid licensure and approval of commercial product extensions for our company’s biologics and vaccines.

• Provide proactive and timely communication of challenges and opportunities to management and help to address them in a systematic and thoughtful manner.

• Influence development of new chapters/sections of regulatory compendia or updates to existing compendial chapters/sections including, but not limited to, those in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

• Coordinate internal company reviews of proposed updates to regulatory compendia.

• Author regulatory and technical documentation supporting regulatory communications as required.

  Participate in verbal and written communications with regulatory agencies.

REQUIRED

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) with a concentration in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related science with twelve (12) years of relevant industry knowledge working in the field of analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation; OR

• Master’s Degree (MA/MS) with a concentration in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related science with eight (8) years of relevant industry knowledge working in the field of analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation; OR

• PhD with a concentration in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related science with four (4) years of relevant industry knowledge working in the field of analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation.

Required Experience:

• Experience in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry, such as in biologics or vaccines commercialization, technical operations, and/or Quality control

• Ability to analyze, interpret, and troubleshoot analytical data.

• Self-motivated with a positive, proactive, and service-oriented mindset.

• Demonstrated strong and broad-based scientific, technical leadership, and troubleshooting skills in the areas of biochemistry, molecular/cellular biology and related sciences will be required.

• Familiarity with regulatory-CMC topics and regulatory compendia including, but not limited to, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia

• Strong organizational and project management skills to handle multiple project associated tasks simultaneously.

• Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate and collaborate with many functional areas.

Preferred:

• Large molecule method development, validation, and/or transfer experience

• Knowledge of deviation management and change control processes

• QC Laboratory Due Diligence Experience

• Experience with laboratory data management systems (i.e. LIMS)

• Experience with software automation/digital systems (e.g. Veeva Vault, MEDs,)

Required Skills:

Analytical Method Development, Biochemistry, Biopharmaceuticals, Communication, Cross-Cultural Competence, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, GMP Laboratory, Microbiology, Molecular Biochemistry, Project Management, Quality Operations, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management

Preferred Skills:

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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:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/31/2026

*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.