Director, External Large Molecule Analytical

Merck Merck · Pharma · Beijing, China

Director, External Large Molecule Analytical role at Merck, focusing on global analytical technical oversight for large molecule commercial products in China. This involves direct contact with government laboratories and contract organizations to ensure robust local testing programs and uninterrupted supply of biologics and vaccines. Responsibilities include establishing relationships, supporting test methods, troubleshooting, facilitating logistics, participating in cross-functional teams, communicating challenges, and influencing regulatory compendia updates. Requires a Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience or Master's with 8 years or PhD with 4 years in analytical testing, development, transfer, or validation within the biopharmaceutical industry.

What you'd actually do

  1. Establish and maintain an excellent professional relationship with scientists working in China's government and contract testing laboratories.
  2. Support establishment of test methods and provide troubleshooting assistance as needed for testing laboratories and engage additional subject matter experts as needed to assist in resolution of technical issues.
  3. Facilitate and support logistics activities (for example, reagent and sample shipments from to China).
  4. Lead and/or participate on global cross-functional teams and work effectively with multiple disciplines and personalities to facilitate rapid licensure and approval of commercial product extensions for our company’s biologics and vaccines.
  5. Provide proactive and timely communication of challenges and opportunities to management and help to address them in a systematic and thoughtful manner.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) with a concentration in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related science with twelve (12) years of relevant industry knowledge working in the field of analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation; OR Master’s Degree (MA/MS) with a concentration in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related science with eight (8) years of relevant industry knowledge working in the field of analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation; OR PhD with a concentration in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related science with four (4) years of relevant industry knowledge working in the field of analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation.
  • Experience in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry, such as in biologics or vaccines commercialization, technical operations, and/or Quality control
  • Ability to analyze, interpret, and troubleshoot analytical data.
  • Self-motivated with a positive, proactive, and service-oriented mindset.
  • Demonstrated strong and broad-based scientific, technical leadership, and troubleshooting skills in the areas of biochemistry, molecular/cellular biology and related sciences will be required.
  • Familiarity with regulatory-CMC topics and regulatory compendia including, but not limited to, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia
  • Strong organizational and project management skills to handle multiple project associated tasks simultaneously.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate and collaborate with many functional areas.
  • Analytical Method Development
  • Biochemistry
  • Biopharmaceuticals
  • Communication
  • Cross-Cultural Competence
  • Cross-Functional Team Leadership
  • GMP Laboratory
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biochemistry
  • Project Management
  • Quality Operations
  • Risk Management
  • Stakeholder Management

Nice to have

  • Large molecule method development, validation, and/or transfer experience
  • Knowledge of deviation management and change control processes
  • QC Laboratory Due Diligence Experience
  • Experience with laboratory data management systems (i.e. LIMS)
  • Experience with software automation/digital systems (e.g. Veeva Vault, MEDs,)

What the JD emphasized

  • analytical testing, development, transfer, and/or validation
  • biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry
  • analytical data
  • scientific, technical leadership, and troubleshooting skills
  • regulatory-CMC topics and regulatory compendia
  • Chinese Pharmacopoeia