Cra Manager

Merck Merck · Pharma · Selangor, Malaysia

Manager for Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) at Merck, responsible for managing a team of 6-14 CRAs, ensuring study and site performance, adherence to regulations (local, SOPs, ICH GCP), and staff development. The role involves work allocation, performance appraisal, capacity planning, resolving operational issues, and collaborating with various stakeholders at the country and HQ level. Requires strong people management, project management, and knowledge of clinical trial processes and regulations.

What you'd actually do

  1. Work allocation, staff development and performance appraisal.
  2. Provides input for capacity planning, including reporting of current manpower and forecasting of CRA capacity and needs, to provide efficient use of resources.
  3. Work with CRAs, PLMS and other functions to ensure consistency of processes and protocol implementation across the country, to reduce variability and provide predictability.
  4. Interacts with sites as needed to resolve site or CRA operational issues to meet commitments in a timely manner in coordination with the study CRM.
  5. Escalates site performance issues to CRM and Clinical Research Director CRD.

Skills

Required

  • Adaptability
  • Biological Sciences
  • Clinical Research
  • Clinical Research Management
  • Clinical Trial Documentation
  • Clinical Trial Management
  • Clinical Trial Management Processes
  • Clinical Trial Planning
  • Clinical Trials
  • Clinical Trials Monitoring
  • Clinical Trials Operations
  • Cross-Cultural Awareness
  • Decision Making
  • Ethical Standards
  • Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
  • Immunochemistry
  • Oncology Trials
  • People Leadership
  • People Management
  • Project Management
  • Resource Allocation
  • Resource Planning
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Fluent in Local Language and business proficient in English (verbal and written)

Nice to have

  • Line management experience preferred or at the minimum team leader experience

What the JD emphasized

  • strict adherence to local regulations
  • company SOPs
  • ICH GCP
  • continuously develop key talents
  • manage situation of low or non-performance
  • ensure alignment and development of the country capabilities
  • efficient allocation of resources and work
  • career development
  • performance reviews
  • addressing low performance situations
  • taking appropriate actions
  • Support and resolve escalation of issues from CRAs
  • Liaise with local HR and finance functions as required
  • Manage local conflicts between resource and work
  • Provides training, support and mentoring to the CRA
  • ensure continuous development
  • Ensures CRA compliance to corporate policies, procedures and quality standards
  • Excellent working knowledge of all applicable ICH/GCP regulations
  • Good Documentation Practices
  • ability to work within these guidelines
  • Minimum of 5 years´ experience within Clinical Research
  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience as CRA monitoring clinical trials
  • Line management experience preferred or at the minimum team leader experience