Associate Director, External Quality
Rahway, NJ - USA
Job Summary
Job Description
Join our External Manufacturing Quality leadership team and help ensure the quality compliance and performance of our global Animal Health external manufacturing network.
As Associate Director Global Quality External Manufacturing (Animal Health) you will lead external quality oversight across third-party partners in North America Mexico and Canada while managing a remote quality team responsible for batch review product release and local quality operations. You will act as the primary Quality liaison between external partners and internal teams helping ensure all products are manufactured packaged tested and distributed in compliance with company standards and global cGMP/regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Lead external quality management and oversight of third-party manufacturing partners and CMOs
Serve as the Quality point of contact for external partners and internal stakeholders
Lead external manufacturing Quality team in Mexico and Canada specifically for review packaging and release for all local and imported products.
Ensure partner compliance with GMP requirements Quality Agreements and commercial commitments
Oversee batch review product release change control validation audits and remediation activities
Support quality system improvement risk management and continuous improvement initiatives
Manage team performance budget and headcount planning
Partner cross-functionally to support operational excellence compliance and supply continuity
Education Requirements
Bachelors degree in Veterinary Science Chemistry Pharmacy Biology Microbiology Chemical Engineering or related field
Required Experience and Skills
10 years of experience in a pharmaceutical company and/or External Manufacturing Organization
2 years of direct people leadership experience -Proven remote management team leadership and performance accountability skills
Strong background in Quality Systems QA/QC global GMP and regulatory requirements
Demonstrated experience in external quality management and third-party oversight
Strong problem-solving risk management communication negotiation and influencing abilities
Required Skills:
cGMP Compliance External Manufacturing Leadership Manufacturing Quality Management People Management Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Quality Compliance Quality Operations Quality Systems CompliancePreferred Skills:
Quality Leadership Quality ManagementCurrent Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race color age religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability status or other applicable legally protected a federal contractor we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws visit:
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The salary range for this role is
$129000.00 - $203100.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills geographic location government requirements and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical dental vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family) retirement benefits including 401(k) paid holidays vacation and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only:We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only:We will consider for employment all qualified applicants including those with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
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.
Employee Status:
RegularRelocation:
No relocationVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
25%Flexible Work Arrangements:
RemoteShift:
1st - DayValid Driving License:
YesHazardous Material(s):
N/AJob Posting End Date:
05/30/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more