[Hiring] Senior Manufacturing OT Engineer / Senior Program Manager @Merck Life Science KGaA

Role Description

As part of the digital transformation of the Life Science business, we are implementing advanced digital technologies in our manufacturing, distribution, and quality control operations (ISCO - Integrated Supply Chain and Operations). As a Senior Manufacturing OT Engineer, you will oversee one or more major Manufacturing OT projects within our portfolio located in Asia Pacific (APAC) and the European Union (EU), as well as manage OT programs for several IT/OT systems. This position reports to our global Engineering and Technology group within ISCO.

This role can be placed at any location in Europe close to LS site.

The role has two primary objectives:

• Guidance and Governance: Provide oversight for one or more key site projects involving Manufacturing IT/OT systems.
• Program Leadership: Collaborate with IT program leads to generate business value from IT/OT investments and lead comprehensive rollouts across multiple sites within ISCO for specific Manufacturing OT systems or technologies.

You will join a team of over 15 colleagues within the Smart Manufacturing and Digital Transformation team in Engineering & Technology (E&T). You will collaborate with sector team members, site sponsors, site teams, quality, engineering, and other departments to effectively understand business needs across the network and optimize the use of IT/OT systems or technologies. Remote work options and other geographies may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in delivering digital transformation capabilities through projects in a manufacturing environment.
• 7-10 years of relevant technical experience as a Manufacturing Systems Engineer.
• A university degree, preferably a BS or MS from an accredited university or college, in an engineering or science discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant experience with an international company, ideally supporting Manufacturing Operations or in a consulting role servicing manufacturing operations.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to create a cohesive manufacturing systems ecosystem, including integrations.
• Background as a technical resource, subject matter expert (SME), and project manager for multiple manufacturing OT projects.
• Knowledge of GxP and non-GxP compliance and regulatory requirements typical in Life Sciences.
• Excellent communication, prioritization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence senior management in a matrix organization.
• Strong problem-solving skills with effective project and time management capabilities.
• Proven ability to work productively in a global environment, collaborating with international teams.
• Experience in leading Request for Information / Request for Proposal (RFI/RFP) vendor selections.
• A collaborative team player who enjoys sharing knowledge and addressing challenges collectively.
• Proficiency in English is essential.
• Willingness to support one or more APAC projects, currently in South Korea and China.
• Willingness to travel regionally and internationally (10%).

Requirements

• Project Execution Oversight: Ensure projects are executed within established global guidelines, which you may help establish.
• Engagement: Facilitate engagement with sponsors, supply chain members, and project teams during escalations to drive effective decision-making.
• Governance: Ensure project teams provide regular reporting and hold Steering Committees (SCs) during project execution.
• Lifecycle Planning: Assist the assigned OT Program Manager in identifying and planning lifecycle strategies for systems post-project.
• Technical Expertise: Provide technical and process guidance to sites on optimizing IT/OT systems, including best practices and avoiding common pitfalls.

Benefits

• Forming and developing the program and its playbook.
• Driving implementation roadmaps and ensuring site readiness for project execution.
• Supporting IT program leads in vendor selections, evaluations, and presenting recommendations to senior management.
• Overseeing program execution at various ISCO sites and ensuring a usable global User Requirements Specification (URS) is created.
• Promoting standardization in deploying Manufacturing OT systems and driving solution adoption across sites.
• Forming a Center of Expertise (CoE) for a program as needed.

Company Description

Department: LS-SC-E

Job evaluation: PM 3

TA: Gap Rattimasakol