Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Associate Director of the Regulatory Affairs (RA) is responsible for the overall management of regulatory affairs activities including pharmacovigilance work at RA department at PDRA division Animal Health in Japan. The position requires a combination of scientific knowledge, understanding of regulatory requirements, strategic thinking, and team leadership to ensure timely development of new products and regulatory affairs activities.

The individual will ensure that the RA team develops and successfully executes project plans for timely product registrations.  

The individual will motivate and encourage the RA Team to perform successfully and will mentor and coach team members to oversee their personal development in the organization.

The individual will closely communicate with members at the Product Development department to optimize the regulatory submission and get products approved.

Reporting lines:

• The RA Associate Director reports directly to the PDRA director
• The RA Associate Director manages a team of 5-7 colleagues of RA department.  

PRIMARY ACTIVITIES:  

• Support PDRA director to optimize/maximize PDRA’s activities by following ways:
  • Build PDRA as one team to have a seamless communication/collaboration
  • Review/advice Gap analysis done at PD department and create PDRA’s one
  • Set up agreed product profiles among PD and RA.
  • Harmonize local requirements into the global development plan based on the well-prepared development plan.
  • Liaise with Sales BU in the identification of market potential/requirements for new vaccines, vaccine improvements and pharmaceutical products
  • Oversee the scientific quality of work within the unit to maintain and enhance reputation for excellence
• Lead the RA team to ensure timely development of biological and pharmaceutical veterinary products in Japan in compliance with the general pharmaceutical guidelines and with local laws.
• Ensure that the RA team develops optimized development plan by leveraging global data.
• Oversee the collaborations with Contract Research Organizations (CROs). Ensure contract management and quality oversight of CROs.
• Ensure compliance of organizational structures, internal processes, operational activities & reporting including national and overseas pharmacovigilance requirements in line with the respective pharmaceutical law guidelines
• Provide advice on research issues, problems and trends having significant impact on RA activities of short and long-term goals
• Optimize the performance of RA colleagues by coaching, motivating, training and evaluating them properly in line with global and local development program, including setting and reviewing individual yearly objectives and development plans

BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS

Following leadership behaviors are expected

• Be Purposeful – Capturing the meaning of our work, following our mission to improve people’s lives and adhere to ethical behaviors.
• Be empowering – Unfolding potential in self and others by providing guidance, driving personal development, and sharing enthusiasm.
• Be collaborative – Working together across departments, encouraging teamwork that respects diverse backgrounds and culture differences.
• Be Results-driven – Setting ourselves stretch performance target as well as establishing as establishing a feedback culture and taking responsibility.
• Be innovative – Constantly experimenting and driving change initiatives. This includes being open to new ideas. Making quick decisions and taking risks.
• Be future-oriented – Continuously seeking best practice solutions and embracing opportunities of new technologies to shape the future of our business.

Education

• Veterinarian or PhD in Biological or Animal Sciences preferable.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in a regulated industry, preferably healthcare, most preferably in the field of veterinary vaccines or pharmaceuticals.
• Knowledge of Japanese Regulatory System preferable
• Experience leading teams and developing/coaching people to maximize people/team capability.
• Working in a matrix environment with multiple stakeholders at local and global levels.
• Experience in planning and drafting budgets.

Skills, Knowledge and Competencies

• Language – Japanese (fluent), English (professional level – verbal and writing)
• Highly developed skills in negotiating, influencing, leadership and staff motivation.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well with other departments in a multicultural team setting and matrix organization

• Familiarity with animal diseases and animal husbandry techniques and ability to understand our product users including farmers and veterinarians.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office

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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:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Animal Husbandry, Change Management, Communication, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Cross-Team Coordination, Data Management, Employee Training Programs, FDA Regulations, Maintenance Processes, Management Process, Microsoft Office, Pharmacovigilance, Policy Implementation, Product Development, Product Registrations, Regulatory Affairs Compliance, Regulatory Affairs Management, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Labeling, Regulatory Management, Regulatory Operations, Regulatory Submissions, Software Office {+ 2 more}

 Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

06/30/2026

*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.