Continuous Improvement Engineer (Onsite)

Job Description

Position Summary

Our Pharmaceutical Operations and Clinical Supply (POCS) team leads our drug product development for our clinical manufacturing pipeline. Innovating new medicine to save and improve lives around the world. 

The Continuous Improvement Engineer serves as the MPS Lead – (POCS) and is an embedded Production System (MPS) leader responsible for deploying and sustaining the Lean Management System across one of our operating areas within POCS; FLEx Non‑Sterile, FLEx Sterile, or Sterile Liquid Processing (SLP) organizations. The role partners directly with line leaders and cross‑functional teams to strengthen daily execution, build problem‑solving capability, develop team members in MPS competencies, and deliver measurable continuous improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people engagement.

This role operates primarily at the point of work and is accountable for ensuring MPS is fully integrated into how POCS runs the business.

Key Responsibilities

MPS & Lean Management System Deployment

• Deploy, train and sustain core MPS/Lean Management System elements across FLEx and SLP, including:

  • Tiered daily management

  • Visual performance management

  • Andon and escalation

  • Leader Standard Work

  • Standard Work

  • Structured problem solving (8‑Step)

• Tailor deployment to the operating realities of development and clinical manufacturing environments while maintaining alignment to MPS standards.

• Establish and maintain governance for CI execution, including metrics, CI portfolio management, gemba cadence, and follow‑through.

Leader & Team Capability Building

• Coach area operations leads, functional leaders, and first‑line managers to own and operate the management system.

• Build capability through hands‑on coaching, observation, feedback, and practical application rather than classroom‑only training.

• Develop leaders’ problem‑solving, prioritization, and execution discipline.

Performance Improvement & Business Impact

• Lead and facilitate fact‑based problem solving on complex operational and execution challenges.

• Drive improvements that deliver measurable and sustained business results aligned to POCS priorities.

• Support integration of MPS into annual objectives, strategic plans, and operating rhythms.

Change Leadership & Integration

• Embed MPS into existing governance and leadership routines across FLEx and SLP.

• Address organizational, cultural, and behavioral barriers to adoption.

• Act as a trusted thought partner to leadership while constructively challenging the status quo.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Operations, or related discipline (required).

• Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt preferred.

Experience

• 4+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, operational excellence, or process improvement roles.

• Demonstrated experience deploying Lean or CI systems in regulated or complex operating environments.

• Proven ability to coach and influence leaders without direct authority.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong working knowledge of Lean Management Systems and structured problem solving.

• High business acumen with the ability to translate CI activity into operational outcomes.

• Excellent facilitation, coaching, and communication skills.

• Comfortable working extensively on the manufacturing floor and in development environments.

• Strong change leadership capability.

Leadership Expectations

• Role model for Safety First, Quality Always.

• Demonstrates humility, curiosity, and learning mindset.

• Builds trust, accountability, and ownership within the business.

• Focused on capability building and sustainability, not dependency on the role.

#eligibleforERP

#PSCS

FLEx2026

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Benchmarking, Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR), Business Requirements Management, Change Management, Data Analysis Tools, Data-Driven Decision Making, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Information Technology Applications, Interpersonal Relationships, Productivity Initiatives, Quality Control Management, Quality Improvement Programs, Six Sigma

Preferred Skills:

Current 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 characteristics. As 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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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s 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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID:R398187