Job Description

We are looking for a passionate and dynamic leader with exceptional project management expertise, adept stakeholder management across various functions and levels, and a strong execution capability.

For our Animal Health location Boxmeer, we are currently recruiting a Capital Project Team Lead

Welcome to our team

Our Animal Health site Boxmeer is the largest site in our global animal health network and focuses on research, development, and manufacture of animal health products according to Good Manufacturing Practice standards (GMP). The site houses around 2000 employees and features multiple modern laboratories and production facilities that comply with strict regulations. Recently, the Center of Excellence (CoE) Capital Investments was created to centralize major investment projects, providing stability and flexibility for the coming years by separating day-to-day production management from large-scale investments so projects are delivered on time and in full. To manage the completion of one of our most significant capital investments and to strengthen our CoE Capital Investments, we are looking for a Capital Project Team Lead.

Purpose of the role

Your initial focus will be to deliver a new facility for formulation and filling of inactivated vaccines and medicines for animals. This project is nearing completion of detailed design and is well advanced in execution. Once fully operational, this new production facility is expected to comprise approximately 100 to 120 FTE. You will be responsible for leading the capital project team representing the end user and spearheading this significant capital project in line with our company’s and site's strategic objectives. During the coming years your attention will be primarily on this project; over time, as the facility reaches steady-state operation and responsibilities are handed over, you will be given the opportunity to allocate time to other major projects across the site. You will report to the Capital Investment CoE Lead and work closely with a diverse group of local and global stakeholders, including department leaders, external partners and suppliers, and regulatory authorities.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Oversee project timelines from execution through product transfer and initial operations.
• Manage project scope, schedule, and budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and reporting to governance bodies.
• Coordinate with EPCM partners, Project Management, and Commissioning/Qualification/Validation teams in an end-to-end setup.
• Ensure operational readiness and execute post-OQ schedules and start-up plans.
• Serve as primary point of contact for the Project Sponsor, stakeholders, suppliers, and external partners.
• Plan and align business resources, including recruitment and training, for the operational phase.
• Coordinate information flow and maintain operational handover documentation and acceptance criteria.
• Represent the project at critical review and decision-making forums and report progress, risks, and issues.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project and operational risks; initiate corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, safety requirements, and internal quality standards; support regulatory audits and inspections.
• Drive continuous improvement, capture lessons learned and implement efficiency measures.

Your profile

• Degree in (Bio)Chemistry, Process Technology, Engineering or equivalent qualifications.
• Strong, broad (10+ years) of proven capital project leadership and execution in design‑to‑commissioning projects within GMP‑regulated manufacturing; delivered facilities and successfully transferred products to operations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and work effectively with senior leaders in a complex international environment with matrix organization.
• Fluent in both the English and Dutch language, both spoken and written.
• Living at a reasonable distance from Boxmeer.

What we offer

We are offering ownership of a major capital project with clear visibility to site and corporate leadership and direct influence on strategic site investments. An opportunity to contribute to shaping our future through leadership on this ambitious and pivotal capital project. Our benefits are very competitive, and the summary below will give you an idea of what you can expect.

• Competitive salary.

• 25 days of leave.
• Company car.
• Bonus Plan subject to the company annual results.
• Incentive Plan.
• Solid Pension Plan.

Animal Health

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 the following email address: [email protected]

Applications can only be submitted through our career site.

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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Clinical Supply Chain Management, CNC Machine Setup, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Data-Driven Decision Making, Ethical Compliance, Innovation, Job Descriptions, Lean Manufacturing, Management Process, Manufacturing Quality Control, Mentorship, Process Improvements, Production Scheduling, Product Management Leadership, Safety Compliance Management, Strategic Thinking, Team Management, Vaccine Manufacturing, Writing Job Descriptions

 Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

09/19/2025

*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.