Job Description
About the Role and Site
Join a state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing facility in Dunboyne and play a critical leadership role within a growing commercial manufacturing organisation.
There are two open roles within Operations Team
As Associate Director – Operations, you will lead the Downstream Operations organisation, providing strategic and operational leadership across manufacturing activities while ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, delivery, and people development.
As Associate Director – Operations, you will lead the Site Support IPT, responsible for the Operations Team delivering media and buffer production across two buildings, providing strategic and operational leadership and ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, delivery, and people development.
For both roles the successful candidate will lead a large team through multiple layers of management and will work closely with Manufacturing Science Technology, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Technical Operations teams to drive manufacturing performance, operational readiness, and continuous improvement.
These are exciting roles for experienced biologic leaders looking to shape a growing organisation, develop future leaders, and influence the successful delivery of multiple products within a dynamic commercial manufacturing environment.
Bring energy, knowledge, and innovation to carry out the following:
- Lead the Downstream/Site Support Operations organisation, delivering performance across safety, quality, delivery, people, and cost objectives.
- Develop, coach, and mentor leaders and teams, building a high-performing manufacturing organisation.
- Drive operational excellence across downstream/site support manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient product delivery.
- Partner with Manufacturing Science Technology, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to support site growth, technology transfer, and commercial manufacturing activities.
- Lead organisational change and support teams through periods of growth, transformation, and operational expansion.
- Drive investigation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve manufacturing performance and reliability.
- Ensure inspection readiness and compliance with regulatory and quality requirements.
- Support capacity planning, manufacturing scheduling, and operational readiness activities.
- Champion a strong safety culture and foster an environment of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Provide clear communication and escalation of operational challenges to senior leadership while driving effective solutions.
What Skills You Will Need
- Degree in Science, Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
- Significant experience within biologics manufacturing operations, including direct experience supporting commercial manufacturing environments.
- Proven leadership experience managing large manufacturing teams through multiple management layers.
- Strong understanding of downstream/buffer and media prep within biologics manufacturing operations and associated manufacturing processes.
- Broad functional experience across Operations, Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing Science Technology, or Technical Operations.
- Experience leading organisational change, operational improvement, and manufacturing transformation initiatives.
- Strong coaching and talent development skills, with a track record of building leadership capability.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex investigations, resolve operational challenges, and drive cross-functional collaboration.
- Strong decision-making skills with the ability to balance quality, safety, delivery, and business priorities.
Why Join?
- Lead a large Downstream/SiteSupport Operations organisation within a growing biologics manufacturing site.
- Join a commercialisation and start-up environment supporting multiple products and technologies.
- Work across Operations, MST, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to shape the future of the site.
- Develop and coach the next generation of manufacturing leaders.
- Play a key role in driving site growth, operational excellence, and long-term manufacturing capability.
Required Skills:
Biological Manufacturing, Biologics, Biopharmaceuticals, Commercial Operations Management, Continuous Process Improvement, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Decision Making, GMP Compliance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Leadership, People Leadership
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees applyHERE
Current Contingent Workers applyHERE
Secondary Language(s) Job Description:
Secondary posting:
We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the worlds most challenging healthcare needs.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing inclusive, talented, and committed people together.
Please dont hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process.
We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world.
Please feel free to speak to us about what flexibility means to you during your application.
Associa
So, if you are ready to:
Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs, please apply today.
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:
08/5/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the dayBEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the dayBEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID: R409609
