Director Global Engineering Services

Welcome to the team

At our company, we are committed to delivering innovative solutions that make a meaningful difference for patients and customers around the world. Within Global Engineering Solutions, our Packaging Technology team plays a critical role in shaping and delivering high-impact capital projects that strengthen our global manufacturing network.

We are looking for a Director Secondary Packaging Engineering who brings strong technical expertise, people leadership and a collaborative mindset to lead a portfolio of strategic secondary packaging projects. In this role, you will work closely with cross-functional teams, engineering partners and vendors to deliver fit-for-purpose, compliant and future-ready solutions.

Your role

As Director Secondary Packaging Engineering, you will operate under the guidance of the GES Packaging Technology Lead and take ownership of a portfolio of key projects within the secondary packaging line of business. You will lead a team of engineers and provide technical direction across the full project lifecycle, from early planning and scope development through design, construction support, qualification, start-up and process demonstration.

You will be a trusted partner to Integrated Project Teams, site leadership, engineering firms and vendors, ensuring that project deliverables meet our campanies standards, business needs and regulatory expectations. This position offers the opportunity to influence complex capital projects, coach internal and external resources, and contribute to the continued advancement of our engineering capabilities. Travel up to 35%, both domestic and international, may be required.

Primary responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of engineers supporting a portfolio of secondary packaging capital projects.

• Provide end-to-end engineering leadership, including planning, scope generation, process and facility design, equipment selection and vendor engagement.

• Oversee equipment design, factory acceptance testing, construction support, commissioning, qualification, facility start-up and process demonstrations.

• Collaborate with Project Management, Technology, Maintenance, Automation, Plant Operations, Safety and other technical partners to progress project deliverables.

• Ensure business deliverables are technically sound, fit-for-purpose and aligned with our comapnies standards, quality expectations and industry regulations.

• Guide project teams in assessing options, managing risks and selecting robust technical solutions.

• Serve as a peer reviewer across multiple secondary packaging projects and provide technical oversight to internal and contract resources.

• Support delivery of a significant project portfolio, expected to exceed €130 million across multiple in-flight projects.

Your profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Applied Science or a related technical discipline.

• Significant experience supporting complex capital projects in an engineering, manufacturing or packaging environment.

• Strong knowledge of engineering design, equipment operation, vendor management, risk assessment, process safety and relevant industry guidance.

• Experience with the full equipment lifecycle, including specification, selection, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting and qualification.

• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, influence stakeholders and coach internal and external resources.

• Strong understanding of lean design and delivery, standard work and end-to-end project execution.

• Excellent collaboration, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong partnerships across functions.

• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving, prioritization and project/time management skills.

• Awareness of quality guidance, industry regulations, capital management processes and GES ways of working is preferred.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

What We Offer

A strategic role with high visibility and impact within our organisation.

• The opportunity to work at a state‑of‑the‑art site in Haarlem with strong global interfaces.

• A dynamic, international working environment focused on innovation, quality and continuous improvement.

• Competitive compensation and benefits aligned with our Total Rewards philosophy.

• Strong support for professional development and career growth.

Current employees should apply through the internal Careers site.

We are is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and respectful workplace.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Capital Management, Capital Projects, Change Agility, Collaborative Communications, Consulting, Global Engineering, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Key Client Relationships, Lean Design, Manufacturing Scale-Up, People Leadership, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Plant Operations, Process Characterization, Process Safety, Project Delivery, Project Management, Regulatory Experience, Research and Development Operations (Inactive), Results-Oriented, Risk Analysis, Risk Assessments, Team Leadership {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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.