Director, Digital Tech Transfer & Knowledge Management
MSD
Summary
Our company is at the forefront of the biopharmaceutical industry, using digital technology to transform manufacturing. Our strategic team manages process knowledge and data across the product lifecycle—from commercialization and technology transfer through ongoing commercial supply. We deliver integrated digital solutions that make critical process information accurate, accessible, and actionable, enabling smarter, faster, and compliant manufacturing across our global network.
Job description
The Director, Digital Tech Transfer & Knowledge Management, is a critical leadership role responsible for shaping the future of our manufacturing capabilities. This individual will define the strategy, develop the roadmap, and drive the execution of our digital tech transfer and Process Knowledge Management (PKM) initiatives. The role involves leading a multi-disciplinary team to build and enhance systems that streamline the transfer of process knowledge into manufacturing execution. This leader will be a key driver in our strategic programs to create fully integrated and data-driven manufacturing operations, ensuring that critical process information is captured, accessible, and utilized to its full potential throughout the tech transfer lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Define and champion the product vision and strategic roadmap for Digital Tech Transfer and Process Knowledge Management (PKM), ensuring alignment with overarching business goals.
- Lead and mentor a high-performing team of product analysts, technology and process specialists, fostering a culture of innovation and execution excellence.
- Oversee the entire lifecycle of digital manufacturing products that support tech transfer, from initial concept and requirement gathering to deployment and continuous improvement.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Science & Technology (S&T), Research, Commercialization and manufacturing operations, and IT to translate complex business needs into scalable and compliant digital solutions.
- Drive the strategy for integrating disparate data sources (e.g., MES, LIMS, process control systems) to create a cohesive process knowledge ecosystem for seamless technology transfer.
- Champion the principles of data integrity and governance to ensure all process data is reliable, accurate, and inspection ready.
- Manage the product backlog, prioritize features based on business value and strategic importance, and communicate progress to executive stakeholders.
- Ensure all digital solutions adhere to industry regulations, including GxP, and internal quality standards.
- Partner with external contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) to digitise technology transfer and establish secure, standardised, and compliant ongoing process data exchanges.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, or a related field with a minimum of ten (10) years of required industry experience.
- Proven track record of supporting pharmaceutical technology transfer and establishing receiving-site readiness, including process knowledge transfer, capability assessment, data preparedness, and operational handover.
- Demonstrated experience in a product management, program leadership, or strategic role delivering large-scale, data-intensive digital products.
- Strong leadership capabilities with experience managing and developing technical and cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and align senior leaders and technical experts.
- Deep knowledge of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes, technology transfer, and their associated data and control systems (e.g., MES, DeltaV, PKM, Databricks, SCADA, PI).
- Proven ability to connect high-level business objectives to detailed technical execution plans.
- Proven capability in implementing and scaling AI solutions in mission-critical, highly regulated environments, with appropriate governance, reliability, security, and compliance controls.
Preferred
- Direct experience implementing or managing Process Knowledge Management (PKM) systems and digital tech transfer solutions.
- Familiarity with advanced analytics, machine learning, and their applications within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with Agile development methodologies and a mindset geared towards digital innovation.
- Strong background in process analytics (PPA/PPM) and navigating GMP/GxP compliance requirements for digital systems.
Required Skills
Asset Management, Benefits Management, Management System Development, Product Management, Requirements Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, System Designs
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, or a related field
- Minimum of ten (10) years of required industry experience
- Proven track record of supporting pharmaceutical technology transfer and establishing receiving-site readiness
- Demonstrated experience in a product management, program leadership, or strategic role delivering large-scale, data-intensive digital products
- Strong leadership capabilities with experience managing and developing technical and cross-functional teams
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills
- Deep knowledge of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes, technology transfer, and associated data and control systems (e.g., MES, DeltaV, PKM, Databricks, SCADA, PI)
- Proven ability to connect high-level business objectives to detailed technical execution plans
- Proven capability in implementing and scaling AI solutions in mission-critical, highly regulated environments
- Asset Management
- Benefits Management
- Management System Development
- Product Management
- Requirements Management
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Strategic Planning
- System Designs
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Retirement Benefits
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation Days
- 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.