Associate Director, Chemical Technical Operations

MSD

Technical Lead in Chemical Technical Operations focused on drug substance tech transfer and commercial manufacture. Collaborating with External Partners to drive technical excellence in API manufacturing.

Posted 6/2/2026full-timeRemote • California, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $142,400 - $224,100 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage the technical interface between our Company and External Partners (EP)
Provide process support to External Partners for existing supply products to resolve production issues
Evaluate and manage process change requests
Proactively assess, and manage process/technical risks
Provide guidance on process improvement and capacity optimization
Provide oversight of External Partners during New Product Introductions and Technical Transfers
Proactively identify process/technical risks as part of pre-execution activities
Provide on-site support during execution
Support post-execution activities
Foster proactive partnerships with External Partners to meet business goals, identify and mitigate risks, and continuously enhance performance
Maintain a strong focus on compliance and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to drive supply excellence.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelors in a technical field (Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Pharmaceutical Sciences)
minimum 7 years of relevant pharmaceutical industry experience; or Master’s with minimum 5 years of relevant experience; or PhD with minimum 3 years of relevant experience
Experience in manufacturing, specifically in Small Molecule API process production, development, optimization, and tech transfer
Ability to travel up to 50%
Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to work independently
Proven leadership attributes including a global mindset, an end-to-end supply chain perspective, and strong collaborative abilities across functions and geographies
Demonstrated capacity to solve complex technical challenges, lead project teams, and influence stakeholders effectively
A solid understanding of small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing processes
Strong technical communication skills with proven ability to tailor communications for various levels of the organization inclusive of leaders and peers.

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
retirement benefits, including 401(k)
paid holidays
vacation
compassionate and sick days
comprehensive package of benefits

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

process improvementcapacity optimizationtechnical risk managementmanufacturingSmall Molecule API productiondevelopmentoptimizationtech transfercomplianceEnvironmental Health and Safety (EHS)

Soft Skills

organizational skillsindependent workleadershipcollaborationproblem-solvinginfluencing stakeholderscommunicationglobal mindsetend-to-end supply chain perspectivetailored communication