Sterile Production Supervisor (Onsite)

Job Description

Position Description

Rahway, NJ site has an opening for a Sterile Production Supervisor on 1st shift. 

The Formulation, Laboratory, and Experimentation (FLEx) Center is a new multi-modality (small molecule, biologics, vaccine) Drug Product development and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) clinical manufacturing plant in Rahway, New Jersey. The Sterile Production Supervisor manages a team of technicians for daily operations.

Accountability

First line operations supervisor with a team of individual contributor production direct reports

Ensure that shift objectives are achieved while reliably supplying quality product at a competitive cost consistent with all applicable internal and external regulations for quality (GMP), safety, etc.

Tactical and strategic shift management, including collaboration with indirect staff

Promote the behaviors and principles that drive continuous improvement

Duties

Coordinates and supervises the daily activities of individual contributors.  Sets priorities for the team to ensure task completion; coordinates work activities with other supervisors and develops plans to meet short-term objectives.

Identifies and resolves standard day to day quality, technical, and operational problems within own unit.  Makes decisions – guided by policies and standard operating procedures – that impact the efficiency and effectiveness of own unit.  Receives guidance and oversight from the Operations Director.

Works within budgetary/financial objectives set by Director

Compliance – Responsible for creating and sustaining a culture that ensures that compliance (Safety, Environment, cGMP, etc.) are imperatives for the business. Responsible for establishing a Right First Time culture by reducing waste and constantly driving continuous improvement. Responsible to review and approve compliance documents, as per procedures or need.

Supply – Exercise judgement and decision making to ensure quality product is reliably produced while managing cost. Responsible for Shift(s) supply performance metrics (Schedule Adherence, Release on Time, Customer service performance, Product Lead Time, etc.).

Continuous Improvement – Accountable for developing a company Production System (MPS) and continuous improvement culture while achieving MPS Targets and business results for the Shift(s). Develop strategic initiatives related to the manufacturing process, equipment and human resources in support of long range operating plans. Report Shift(s) monthly metrics and any action plans to address gaps to Management. Identify, prioritize and champion improvement initiatives to improve process efficiency, cycle time, and yield, reduce process variability and eliminate waste.

People Management – Responsible for creating and sustaining a highly engaged workforce through utilization of our company's Leadership Behaviors and Inclusion. Provide coaching on professional development and career paths. Provide timely feedback and performance evaluations for direct reports after obtaining the relevant input and evaluation. Provide feedback and input on performance evaluations for indirect staff. Support Talent Management.

Position may require work outside of routine hours (e.g. nights / weekends), depending on business needs.

Core Skillsets

Ability to develop and lead others

Ability to be flexible and understand risk

Continuous improvement

Conflict resolution

Leadership style – adaptive; high performance coaching; servant leader

Compliance mindset to safety, environmental, and quality regulations

Position Qualifications :

Education Minimum Requirement:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Science, Engineering or another technical field, or at least 7 years experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing or processing with HS diploma.

Required Experience and Skills:

Minimum (4) years’ experience in a functional area, such as operations Management, Quality, Technical Operations, Technology, Engineering or Maintenance.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Minimum (2) years’ experience in aseptic/sterile drug product manufacturing or processing

Minimum (2) years’ experience in heavily regulated industry (e.g. FDA, military, nuclear and petro-chemical)

Minimum (2) years’ direct supervisory experience.

Demonstrated knowledge of Lean

Demonstrated experience of interacting with site, divisional or regulatory audits

#MSJR

#eligibleforERP

FLEx2026

Sterile2026

#PSCS

Required Skills:

Aseptic Processing, Leadership, Sterile Filling, Sterile Manufacturing, Sterile Operations, Sterile Processing, Sterile Products

Preferred Skills:

Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing, Manufacturing 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

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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:

Domestic

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:

09/4/2026 *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.

Requisition ID:R412920