Director, Chemical Technical Operations

MSD

Director of Chemical Technical Operations leading external manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in North America. Overseeing technical operations and team development for the pharmaceutical industry.

Posted 6/9/2026full-timeRemote • California, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $173,200 - $272,600 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the Technical Operations team in support of the manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, intermediates, and drug product intermediates at external contract manufacturing facilities in the region
Provide leadership and expertise in technical oversight, portfolio management, continuous improvement, talent development and upskilling organization capabilities
Ensure technical excellence in routine supply support to contract manufacturers
Lead the technical efforts required for enhancing competitiveness through targeted process optimization
Drive organizational capability in Proactive Process Monitoring to enable robust manufacturing operations & early detection of process issues
Foster a community of sharing, curiosity, learning, and end-to-end mindsets for new technologies, ways of working & new product introductions
Create a robust technical network of internal and external resources, rapidly deployable to solve complex problems in a cross-functional manner

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelors in a technical field (Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Pharmaceutical Sciences) with minimum 10 years of relevant pharmaceutical industry experience; or Master’s with minimum 7 years of relevant experience; or PhD with minimum 5 years of relevant experience
Leadership experience in one or more roles in Technical Operations, Process Development, Manufacturing, Quality Operations or Engineering
Demonstrated experience with traditional API processing as well as introducing new technologies and ways of working
Familiarity with use of biocatalysts, enzyme manufacturing, flow chemistry, processing of highly potent compounds, or sterile/low bioburden DS manufacturing is advantageous
Individual must ensure strong technical capability is developed for new products as part of acquisition and commercialization, and an appropriate control strategy is realized
This position involves frequent travel about 25%.

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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredientsprocess optimizationProactive Process Monitoringbiocatalystsenzyme manufacturingflow chemistryhighly potent compounds processingsterile manufacturingcontrol strategy developmentportfolio management

Soft Skills

leadershiptalent developmentcontinuous improvementorganizational capabilityproblem-solvingcross-functional collaborationcuriositylearningcommunity buildingcommunication