QC Lab Ops & Operational Readiness Senior Specialist
Wilmington, DE - USA
Job Summary
Job Description
At our Wilmington Biotech Campus we are committed to keeping the patient at the very heart of all that we do and striving to find solutions and treatments for some of the worlds most challenging healthcare needs.
The Wilmington Biotech Campus will play a pivotal role in the manufacture of our companys biologics-based medicines including the areas of immuno-oncology. This site will establish our companys internal capability to manufacture high potent compounds when full manufacturing operations begin in 2029.
This facility will be a significant supplier of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) and High Potent Compounds and will also be critical in the future supply of new biotechnology products to its global network.
Wilmington Biotech Campus Quality Control Laboratory
The QC Laboratory at Wilmington Biotech Campus will be a transformational facility for the analytical commercialization of our companys pipeline of high potent Biologics. This laboratory will bring together late-stage analytical method development and validation with commercial release testing to deliver significantly improved speed through the analytical lifecycle. The laboratory will be supported by locally based advanced analytical subject matter experts and digital tools to enable an enterprise-wide connected laboratory in support of a new approach to analytical commercialization for high potent Biologics. The laboratory will be operated under our Manufacturing Division with close collaboration with our Research & Development Division.
Reporting to the QC Laboratory Operations Manager the Laboratory Operations Senior Specialist Operational Readiness is accountable for end-to-end QC laboratory operational readiness planning and execution in support of a new facility introduction. This role integrates laboratory operations workstreams including equipment system and laboratory start-up readiness activitiesinto a single executable readiness plan aligned to the site Integrated Master Schedule. The role operates in parallel with construction commissioning and qualification activities to ensure the QC laboratory is ready to accept handover and achieve successful facility approval readiness through robust SOPs training supply readiness and risk controls. Upon transition to steady-state operations this role will own and drive ongoing laboratory operations activities.
Key Accountabilities:
Integrated Laboratory Operational Readiness Planning & Schedule
Build maintain and govern the QC laboratory operations readiness schedule across workstreams aligned to the site Integrated Master Schedule and critical path.
Drive schedule convergence and acceleration: identify dependencies sequencing conflicts resourcing gaps and pull-forward actions; support weekly lookahead planning and escalation for overdue/at-risk deliverables.
Establish laboratory operations readiness stage-gates and define entry/exit criteria with stakeholders to confirm readiness at critical milestones.
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders (Quality Manufacturing Supply Chain Facilities/Engineering our research division and IT) to align laboratory operations readiness with site start-up timelines.
Additional Laboratory Operational Readiness Activities include;
SOPs & Document Readiness
Coordinate drafting review and approval of SOPs Work Instructions and Job Aids for laboratory operations activities
Maintain a document tracker integrated into the master readiness schedule.
Sample Management
Develop the end-to-end sample management process (receipt login storage tracking distribution retention/disposal).
Provide input on system master data and Implement sample workflows within LIMS; ensure chain of custody traceability and data integrity compliance.
Laboratory Inventory Management
Develop inventory control processes for consumables chemicals reagents reference standards and supplies.
Coordinate supplier readiness material master data reorder points and procurement workflows aligned to start-up sequencing.
Stability Program Operations
Support stability operations including providing input on the design and oversee the start-up of the stability facility and develop the process for sample pull scheduling storage condition management and sample distribution.
Quality & Compliance
Ensure all laboratory operations activities comply with cGMP corporate quality policies and regulatory requirements (FDA EMA ICH); maintain inspection readiness at all times.
Embed data integrity principles (ALCOA) across all laboratory operations processes records and electronic systems.
Lead or support deviation investigations OOS/OOT assessments root cause analyses and CAPAs related to laboratory operations as required
Manage change controls for laboratory operations processes systems and materials; assess impact and ensure proper implementation.
POST GO-LIVE: Steady-State Operations
Support the long-term daily requirements for laboratory operationsacross sample management solution/reagent preparation inventory management planning/scheduling and stability activiies to ensure uninterrupted support of QC testing.
Monitor operational KPIs (e.g. sample turnaround time solution availability inventory stockout rate schedule adherence); drive corrective actions for adverse trends.
Drive continuous improvement through standard work lean practices and automation opportunities; benchmark against network best practices.
Lead or support deviation investigations OOS/OOT assessments root cause analyses and CAPAs related to laboratory operations.
Manage change controls for laboratory operations processes systems and materials; assess impact and ensure proper implementation.
Qualifications / experience
Education
Bachelors degree in Chemistry Biochemistry Engineering or a related scientific discipline (advanced degree preferred)
Experience
Minimum 6 years of industry experience working directly in QC testing in a biotech / pharmaceutical or related discipline.
Proven experience with laboratory start-up projects formal project management experience or PMP preferred.
Strong quality background with direct experience supporting health authority inspections.
Experience in cGMP environments QC lab operations and quality management systems is required.
Strong working knowledge of LIMS inventory systems and digital laboratory tools (e.g. Veeva Kneat Biovia).
Experience with deviation/OOS investigations change control and CAPA processes.
Knowledge of data integrity principles and their application to laboratory operations.
Demonstrated Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience.
Core competencies and skills
Strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic start-up environment.
Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder integration.
Attention to detail with commitment to data integrity compliance and right-first-time execution.
Problem-solving risk assessment and clear escalation framing
Quality mindset proactively identifies compliance gaps and drives resolution.
Drives change and continuous improvement in a positive way.
Additional Info:
Location: Wilmington Delaware (On-Site)
Travel: Ability to travel 10% of the time
Required Skills:
Analytical Instrumentation Analytical Method Development Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC) Data Integrity Decision Making Detail-Oriented Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Laboratory Operations Laboratory Safety Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Project Management Quality Standards Regulatory Requirements Risk Analysis Risk Assessments Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Sample Management Scheduling Stability Testing Statistical Analysis Strategic Collaborations Team Problem Solving Technical Transfer Technical WritingPreferred Skills:
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The salary range for this role is
$106200.00 - $167200.00This 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
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Employee Status:
RegularRelocation:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
10%Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
1st - DayValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
YesJob Posting End Date:
07/28/2026*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:
Senior IC
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