Executive Director, Animal Health External Manufacturing Operations (m/f/d)

Job Description

Executive Director, External Manufacturing Operations – CMO Platform (m/f/d)

Please note this role can be based in any of our European Animal Health locations.

Reporting to the Vice President, AH Operations, the Executive Director, CMO Operations in our Company's External Manufacturing, will build and manage a new team to develop and provide external manufacturing oversight to the strategic Animal Health supply sites to our Company.  The Executive Director will have 4 direct reports and lead a cross functional team responsible for managing compliant, reliable supply into our Company from these sites, which includes Drug Product, Sterile, mAbs and Packaging.   

The Executive Director, CMO Platform will be responsible for building the strategic partnership with the strategic Animal Health Supply sites and through the relationship, managing supply of strategic products to optimize flow of materials, working capital and contractual obligations.  The role will require time at the manufacturing sites of responsibility in order to ensure ongoing success. 

Primary Activities

Primary activities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead a team to manage a network of contract manufacturing organizations, ensuring achievement of KPIs around supply, compliance and cost.
• Lead the cross functional team of Operations, Quality, Technology, Procurement, and Supply Chain to manage all aspects of supply.
• Develop and manage a forward-looking strategy for this CMO Platform
• Develop a risk management process, continuously assess and mitigate supply and compliance risks.
• Responsible for all aspects of 3rd party risk – including EHS, bribery/corruption, labor, etc.
• Exhibit a high level of financial compliance and financial stewardship
• Develop an industry-leading team of operations managers
• Drive productivity and discard reduction
• Drive improvements in service, lead time and productivity
• Maintain GMP compliance across the network
• Interface with CMO Business Leaders as needed to resolve issues and to create business opportunities.
   

Education Requirement:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (preferred) or Science. 
• Advance Business degree preferred.
   

Required:

• Minimum 10 years in bio-pharmaceutical operations, including manufacturing, technical operations, quality, experience in Supply Chain and/or Procurement a plus. Experience of external manufacturing management is a distinct advantage.
• Experience building strong relationships and managing large cross functional teams
• Strong business acumen – able to create win-win with 3rd parties
• Good understanding of Supply Chain principles – drive improvements in service, lead time, and productivity.
• Lean Manufacturing and scientific problem solving skills.
• Must have strong demonstrated interpersonal, communication, negotiation, persuasion and leadership skills in dealing with a broad variety of cultures on non-routine matters in stressful situations.  Able to handle organizational complexity and ambiguity.
• Must have exemplary people/team leadership experience, including leading and motivating teams.  Experienced in establishing performance metrics and holding people accountable for results.

Required Skills:

Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Alliance Management, Change Management, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Communication, Contract Management, Cross-Cultural Awareness, External Manufacturing, Financial Acumen, Financial Management, GMP Compliance, Lean Manufacturing, Management Process, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Operations, Operation Risk Management, Packaging, People Leadership, Procurement, Production Scheduling, Productivity Improvements, Risk Management, Science {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

03/12/2026

*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.