Director, Global Technical Operations, API MSD - Singapore

The Director, GTO API leads a team of GTO Managers and Engineers providing technical support for the manufacturing of commercial active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as the commercialisation of new products within MMD Singapore. The selected candidate is also expected to lead/sponsor the conceptualisation and delivery of strategic initiatives for the department and site. The Tech Ops Director API reports to the Global Technical Operations Executive Director.

The key responsibilities of the GTO API Director include (but are not limited to):

• Leads the technical support for and continuous improvement of commercial API manufacturing. Leads technology transfer of new process and/or new product introductions to the site
• Provides technical direction for major site projects through all project stages: design, funding, installation, demonstration, validation, and optimization
• Develops and manages strategic departmental staffing and people development plans, including recruitment, department branding, collaboration with external academic and government sponsored technical and business institutions, technical training and staff retention
• Manages profit planning, budgeting and staffing headcount for GTO API and ensures adherence to financial stewardship principles
• Coaches/mentors GTO managers and engineers in the support of manufacturing related activities in the API Integrated Process Team (IPT), and for the continuous development of technical and leadership capability of the team
• Provides strategic direction towards the development of key initiatives for the GTO department and MMD-Singapore site. These include, but are not limited to, QMS system streamlining, improvement initiatives such as Talent Management, New Product Introduction standardisation, Quality Risk Management, etc. Leads or actively participates in key regional or divisional strategic initiatives
• Works across functions (internal or external to site) to develop collaboration initiatives for improvement of business processes within the API IPT and/or the site
• Ensures that equipment, process and cleaning validation principles are adhered to and associated activities are executed and maintained as per regulatory and company procedures/guidelines
• Maintains a disciplined approach and adherence to GTO standard work such as GTO Tier process, Portfolio Review, Proactive Process Analysis (PPA) etc.
• Maintains collaboration with GTO leads across the Merck network to share best practices and connectivity for technical problem solving
• Acts as the delegate for GTO Executive Director as required

Desired Skills and Experience

Qualification:

Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D. degree in a technical field, including Chemical, Biochemical  or Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences

Experience:

• At least 10 years of technical experience in pharmaceutical and related industries, preferably in support of API manufacturing
• Possess at least 5 years of experience in supervising professional staff comprising of managers and engineers, preferably in a technical group
• One or more leadership roles in manufacturing, technical operations, quality operations, engineering, or supply chain management
• Experience in API process development, facility design and construction, safety and environmental, manufacturing and process design, and project management is strongly preferred
• In-depth knowledge of Quality Systems is a requirement and knowledge of the principles of Quality by Design development is preferred
• Preferably trained/certified in the use of Lean Six Sigma tools and familiar with the Merck Production System (MPS) concepts

Leadership, Professional and Functional Competencies

• Proven technical leadership and expertise with strong interest/aptitude for people development in the organization
• Demonstrates leadership skills in alignment with the Merck Leadership Standards, focusing on Building Talent, Fostering Collaboration, Driving Results and Acting with Courage and Candor
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work effectively and independently on cross-functional teams as a leader, and influence beyond functional and site boundaries
• Demonstrated ability to closely coach and mentor line managers in core managerial skillsets