Scientific Associate Vice President, Digital Technologies – Development Sciences & Clinical Supplies

Job Description

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls) digital and data strategy transformation efforts across our R&D division and Manufacturing divisions.

The Scientific Associate Vice President role offers a unique opportunity to influence above project/ function strategy, drive digital adjacencies, and ensure connectivity of our data strategy efforts. Join us to make a significant impact on how we leverage data to define process and analytical method development and future data investments for our entire company pipeline.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Development Sciences & Clinical Supplies (DSCS) Digital Technologies Lead and CMC functional leaders to drive the development and execution of comprehensive digital strategies that enhance productivity, enhance end user experience and drive business value. 

• Recommend strategic direction and drive decisions that accelerate innovative digital solutions and new perspectives toward connecting data-driven investments across DSCS.

• Shape the utilization of data in support of advancing the CMC portfolio to reduce filing timelines, drive capacity increases across labs and plants, and fortify supply chains through increased robustness of processes and analytical methods.

• Connect into Discovery Research-facing digital efforts to facilitate the continuity of data between discovery and development work.

• Operate at the interface of R&D and Manufacturing tool implementation for CMC, ensuring the necessary pull-through of lab data into our facility network.

• Facilitate business-facing digital opportunities that include dashboards and visualization intended to drive operational efficiencies.

• Initiate and/or support scientific data initiatives to drive innovation, continuously enhance capabilities and platforms, and improve business processes from data capture to visualization to downstream automated regulatory reports.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align digital initiatives with business objectives.

• Define digital goals, measure performance, and adjust strategies based on data-driven insights.

• Manage vendor relationships, oversee digital budgets, and ensure compliance with regulations.

• Stay current with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and the Internet of Things.

• Communicate complex digital concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• Effectively and timely communicate development plans, risks, and mitigation plans to stakeholders and management.

• Understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding applicable Corporate and Divisional Policies, including code of conduct, safety, GxP compliance, and data security.

• Build and promote use case lead best practices within the organization through mentoring and guiding scientists.

Education:

• Required: B.S. in engineering, chemistry, data science, or a related discipline

• Preferred: MBA or PhD in scientific field

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in new product introduction, with experience across pipeline process development, operations, and new technology builds.

• Recognized expert in the CMC space covering drug substance processes, drug product processes, and analytical methods, across both R&D and manufacturing, with a deep understanding of the connections between digital capabilities and CMC.

• Broad experience identifying, inventing, and implementing digital solutions for technical, operational, and/or business solutions that rely heavily on maximizing data access and utilization.

• Demonstrated ability to set and execute on strategic direction for programs, facilities, and strategic investments, especially those that impact multiple organizations and/or divisions.

• Demonstrated ability for innovative and complex problem-solving, both technically and strategically, across functions and divisions.

• Demonstrated ability for taking initiative, demonstrating creativity and innovation, and influencing without authority.

• Strength in delivering solutions and results on firm deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability for navigating complex, cross-divisional networks to deliver results and drive value for the enterprise.

• Demonstrated excellent communication skills (written and verbal) across a variety of mediums and stakeholders, including senior leaders.

• Demonstrated ability to partner with senior leaders, influence without authority, and navigate complexities in a matrixed environment.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and to intended outcomes, iterating or changing course when required.

• Strong business acumen and project management skills with an ability to anticipate team, function, and business unit needs.

• Experience in working with complex data sets to solve business challenges by establishing robust measurement frameworks to deliver business value with data-driven insights to senior leaders.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Preferred background with Biologics CMC (proteins, conjugates, peptides and/or neurotoxins) and/or genetic medicine (AAV, LNPs, cell therapy) data systems NGE, GRE, Prodev, Pega, etc.

Required Skills:

Analytical Method Development, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bioanalytical Analysis, Business Acumen, Business Processes, Chemistry, Clinical Data Interpretation, Codes of Conduct, Data Science, Digital Strategy, Dosage Forms, Foster Innovation, Innovation, Leadership Initiatives, Medical Genetics, Mentoring Staff, Mentorship, Molecular Structure, Negotiation, Organizational Change Management, People Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Taking Initiative, Technical Reporting, Vision Casting

Preferred Skills:

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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

$282,200.00 - $444,200.00

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

04/4/2026

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