Job Description

Essential position with impact in highly dynamic pharmaceutical production department; driving strategic- and challenging improvement initiatives whilst building, managing and developing a team of professionals.

For our Animal Health location Boxmeer, we are currently recruiting an Operations Lead (Media Production & Service Unit)

Welcome to our team

Our Boxmeer site is part of our international Animal Health network and produces and packages veterinary medicines for the global market. The production organization in Boxmeer consists of several Integrated Process Teams (IPTs) and Centers of Excellence (CoEs). The IPT Antigen employs approximately 190 people, organized into three antigen manufacturing departments, a Media Production & Service Unit, and dedicated teams for Improvement and Maintenance & Reliability (M&R). The Media Production & Service Unit, comprising 40 employees, includes two Media Production teams (responsible for producing the media used in our vaccines) and one Service Unit team, which handles material cleaning and sterilization, system assembly, and visual inspection of product samples across various production departments.

Purpose of the role

Reporting into the IPT lead, and as part of the IPT Management Team, you hold overall responsibility for managing and controlling the media production and service unit department ensuring an uninterrupted compliant and safe supply while optimizing operational efficiency. A key responsibility of your role will be to develop and implement a comprehensive media strategy for the Boxmeer site as well as the broader EU network. The portfolio of projects governed includes new media introductions, outsourcing media, process improvements, and a large capital investment project. You have the opportunity to further build and lead a team made up of three people managers and multiple individual contributors reporting directly to you, overseeing their growth and development as you build a strong, capable team.

Your profile

• Degree in a relevant science or business subject (Life Sciences, Biology, Business Administration).
• Strong and broad experience in operational management within highly regulated environments, with a proven track record of successfully navigating and influencing within a complex, cross functional matrix organization.
• Skilled in driving change management and continuous improvement initiatives to boost operational efficiency and maintain high-quality standards.
• Strong leadership capabilities in managing diverse teams, fostering professional development, and maximizing overall team performance.
• Excellent command of the Dutch and English language.
• Living at a reasonable distance from Boxmeer.

What we offer

We are offering the opportunity to take charge of a critical unit ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient vaccine media production for global markets. 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 training, coaching and e-learning modules for long term job opportunities and development.

Animal Health

Our Animal Health Division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. We have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society, and our planet. Our commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals allows us to offer veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services. We also provide an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability, and monitoring products. With our comprehensive R&D resources and global supply chain, we are present in more than 50 countries, with products available in over 150 markets.

For questions about this vacancy

Please send an email including the vacancy number and job title to the following email address: [email protected]

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Business, Communication, Decision Making, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Improvement Projects, Interpersonal Relationships, Lean Six Sigma Process Improvement, Management Process, Marketing Strategies, Operational Excellence (OpEx), Organizational Optimzation, People Leadership, Process Improvements, Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Strategic Thinking, Team Leadership

 Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

09/1/2025

*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.