Associate Specialist, Operations (Onsite)
MSD
Summary
The Small Scale Organics (SSO) Pilot Plant is a GMP manufacturing facility in the Small Molecule Process Research and Development organization. The SSO Operations Specialist will provide hands-on assistance for daily production activities while ensuring compliance with Safety & Environmental (S&E) and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) requirements.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Participate in equipment setups, raw material sampling and subdivisions, solution preparations, batch processing planning and execution at pilot scale
- Handle reagents, solvents, and active pharmaceutical ingredients during wet chemistry operations (reactions, extractions, distillations, crystallizations, filtration, drying) and dry powder processing
- Ensure facility readiness with respect to cleaning, batch execution, building housekeeping, and consumable inventory
- Provide input for incident root cause analysis, reporting, and action items
- Facilitate and drive building improvement projects and corrective/preventative action closures
- Investigate problem statements and safety observation reports (SORs)
- Safely perform High Risk Work involving hazardous energy control as needed
- Author lessons learnt and summary reports
- Mentor and help train rotational and new employees
Qualifications
Education Minimum Requirement: Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science (ideally in Process Technology), or higher degree in a relevant technical field of study with expected completion by Dec 2026 – or – High School Diploma/GED plus at least four (4) years of relevant experience in Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Petrochemical or Food Processing/Manufacturing.
Required Experience and Skills: Strong communication skills to discuss technical problems and a collaborative mindset to interface with cross-functional teams. A strong mechanical aptitude. Proficiency in technical writing and the use of word processing, spreadsheet, graphing, and presentation software. This role requires working on 8-hour shifts that rotate between 1st and 2nd shift on alternating weeks throughout the year. Onsite presence is required five days a week.
Preferred Experience and Skills: Operations experience in pilot plant or manufacturing environment. Understanding of/Experience with process scale-up of chemical processes. Familiarity with the administration of cGMPs, Good Documentation Practices (GDPs), and S&E regulations. Lean Six Sigma Training / Certification.
Requirements
- Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science (ideally in Process Technology), or higher degree in a relevant technical field of study with expected completion by Dec 2026, or High School Diploma/GED plus at least four (4) years of relevant experience in Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Petrochemical or Food Processing/Manufacturing
- Strong communication skills to discuss technical problems
- Collaborative mindset to interface with cross-functional teams
- Strong mechanical aptitude
- Proficiency in technical writing and the use of word processing, spreadsheet, graphing, and presentation software
- Ability to work 8-hour shifts rotating between 1st and 2nd shift on alternating weeks
- Onsite presence five days a week
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Retirement Benefits
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate & Sick Days
- Annual Bonus
- Long-Term Incentive
Company overview
MSD, known as Merck Sharp & Dohme outside the United States and Canada, is a global research-intensive biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891, the company has established itself as one of the world's leading pharmaceutical corporations with a rich history spanning over 130 years. MSD operates as the international division of Merck & Co., Inc., focusing on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of innovative medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products. The company's extensive portfolio includes groundbreaking treatments in oncology, infectious diseases, cardiology, diabetes, and vaccines, with notable products such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for cancer immunotherapy, Gardasil for HPV prevention, and Januvia for diabetes management. MSD maintains a strong commitment to research and development, investing significantly in scientific innovation to address unmet medical needs worldwide. With approximately 75,000 employees globally, the company operates through four main segments: pharmaceuticals, animal health, healthcare services, and strategic alliances. MSD's mission centers on using leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world, guided by the principle that medicine is for people, not profits.