Director, Process Chemistry

Job Description

Description

The Director, Process Chemistry is responsible for managing a portfolio of projects from clinical pipeline of new our company's drug products.  The incumbent will also have to direct a team of process chemists responsible for support of API campaigns in support of our company's small molecule portfolio. They will also direct commercial manufacturing route definition, their validation and filing in partnership with our company's Manufacturing Division. 

Nature and Scope of Position:

The Director reports to the Executive Director, Head of Process Chemistry and Discovery Project Chemistry, Process Research & Development in our company's Research Laboratories organization. This role has direct supervisory responsibility approximately 15 scientists who work closely within multidisciplinary teams comprised of synthetic organic chemist. The incumbent will be responsible for the recruiting, appraisal and development of personnel under his/her supervision. The Director selects, trains, and effectively recommends transfers, merit increases, promotions, and closures of personnel under his/her direction within the framework of Company policy.

Critical tasks involve oversight of new route design and synthetic methodology development, scale-up, support of API campaigns in support of discovery and pre-clinical efforts; transferring appropriate technical information to support the preparation of API in Rahway, NJ and with external CROs. The individual must excel in conduct of scientific research to translate breakthroughs in fundamental science to develop world class synthetic processes for human health products, is responsible for invention and demonstration of new processes in preparation for commercial manufacture and preparation of regulatory filings.

The Director establishes, recommends, and maintains external contacts for Process Research & Development, particularly locally in the NJ/NY/PA. Interaction with the academic community is expected.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Ph.D. in chemistry, or related pharmaceutical science is required

Required:

• 8+ years drug discovery or drug development experience and demonstrated ability in leading cross-functional groups.

• Track record and commitment to employee development/retention

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.

• Subject matter expertise in process chemistry with experience in commercial process development.

• Strength in delivering results on firm deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability in selection and prioritization of a portfolio of projects.

• He/she must be internationally recognized in the pharmaceutical development area with a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications and external research presentations.

Location:

• Rahway NJ location is required.

Required Skills:

Bioanalytical Analysis, Catalysis (Inactive), Chemical Biology, Creativity, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Data Analysis, Medicinal Chemistry, Mentoring Staff, People Leadership, Peptide Chemistry, Process Chemistry, Professional Networking, Project Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Synthetic Chemistry

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.

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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”.

The salary range for this role is

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

04/13/2026

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