Manufacturing IT / Automation Project Lead

Join Our Global Animal Health Manufacturing IT Team

For our Animal Health location in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, we are looking for a Manufacturing IT / Automation Project Lead to join our Global Animal Health Manufacturing IT team. Do you want to be part of shaping the digital future of our Animal Health department?

Welcome to the team!

Our Global Animal Health Manufacturing (GAHM) IT team in Boxmeer and De Bilt is responsible for supporting Manufacturing and Quality Control (QC) laboratories. The team currently consists of 8 internal FTE and additional contractors to deliver manufacturing and lab shopfloor technology solutions to make, test and release our Animal Health products. These technology solutions include PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications, which serve as foundational elements for the GAHM Digital Strategy. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced project lead to join our organization to oversee and drive standardization in project management methodologies and technology solutions in collaboration with our global product teams.

Purpose of the position
Global Animal Health Manufacturing IT Boxmeer delivers IT and automation solutions to the manufacturing sites Boxmeer and De Bilt. This encompasses a wide range of manufacturing IT/automation systems and technology, including PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications, all aligned to a goal of ensuring frictionless flow of data and more efficient business operations.

You will have the opportunity to drive the consistent delivery of IT and Automation projects across the Integrated Process Teams and Centers of Excellence at the sites Boxmeer and De Bilt. This is not a managerial role. Besides managing your own projects, you will be responsible for developing the project management competence and will provide oversight and guidance to the project managers in the area teams. You will work closely with the Business Technology Partners to ensure timely delivery of projects according to the agreements made with our business stakeholders. You will report to the Site Digital Manufacturing Operations Lead.

Primary activities

• Drive standardization in project management methodologies and procedures across manufacturing IT/automation project teams based on global standards.
• Lead the manufacturing IT/automation project planning, scheduling and execution process with clear milestones, resource plan, deliverables, dependencies and critical path.
• Provide regular status updates and reports to stakeholders by communicating project progress, issues, and risks effectively to manage stakeholder expectations.
• Coordinate with internal teams (IT, Operations, Engineering, Quality) and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of manufacturing IT/automation systems.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to project teams with manufacturing IT/automation systems, including PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications.
• Implement automation solutions and integrate with existing systems.
• Ensure and promote collaboration with other IT divisions as well as parts of our manufacturing network, both locally and globally, to break-down organizational boundaries in favour of a highly collaborative and customer-centric culture.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. 

Your profile

• Bachelor’s degree with relevant experience in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Science Engineering or equivalent experience.
• At least 2 years experience in a highly regulated manufacturing environment, such as pharma, biotechnology, food or chemicals.
• At least 5 years proven experience with manufacturing IT/automation systems, including PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications.
• At least 5 years proven project management experience managing technical projects (non managerial).
• Understanding of GxP regulated environment and validation requirements.
• Preferred certified in project management methodologies.
• Experienced in using project management tooling (e.g. MS Project)
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written in English and preferable in Dutch.

What we offer
We welcome you to a truly global, dynamic and challenging environment with great opportunities for personal development. Our benefits are very competitive, and the summary below will give you an idea of what you can expect.

• Competitive salary and a 3% year-end allowance.
• 35,5 days of leave.
• Attractive collective health care insurance package with considerable reduction rates
• Solid Pension Plan.
• Annual bonus based on own and company performance.
• Travel allowance for commuting.
• Numerous trainings, coaching and e-learning modules for long term job opportunities and development

Who we are
Our Animal Health Division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world’s food supply and have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society, and our planet.

Through our commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, we offer veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products. We invest in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. We are present in more than 50 countries, while our products are available in some 150 markets.

For questions about this vacancy
Please send an email including the vacancy number and job title to RecruitmentNL@MSD.com.

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.