Associate Director Operational Excellence

$122,800 - $193,300/Yr

Merck KGaA Darmstadt Germany - Rahway, NJ

Full-time - Mid Level

Onsite - Rahway, NJ

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

The Operational Excellence Manager will play a crucial role in the facilities management team, focusing on the development and implementation of processes to enhance operational efficiency and equipment reliability across all CTO sites. This position emphasizes the use of Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Lifecycle Asset Management (LCAM) principles to improve facilities operations and ensure effective decision-making through performance visibility.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and monitor processes to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Analyze performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities and implement strategies to achieve operational excellence.
• Develop and implement reliability-centered maintenance programs to enhance equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Collaborate with maintenance teams to identify critical assets, assess performance, and analyze failure modes.
• Utilize Lifecycle Asset Management principles to oversee and optimize the performance, risk, and cost associated with physical assets throughout their lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain a system for tracking and reporting operational performance, including key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Create and deliver regular reports and presentations to senior management on site performance, reliability metrics, and improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify and escalate critical issues to senior management for more effective and rapid decision-making.
• Act as a change agent, driving a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in operational excellence, process improvement, and facilities management, preferably in a regulated industry such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or healthcare.
• Strong knowledge of reliability engineering and asset management principles.
• Experience with Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Lifecycle Asset Management (LCAM) methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive change in a complex and dynamic environment.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in using data analysis tools and software to extract and interpret complex data.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree or certification in Operational Excellence.
• Advanced Engineering Degree or in a related field.
• Lean Management and Six Sigma expertise.
• Understanding of Regulatory Compliance.

Benefits

• Bonus eligibility
• Long term incentive if applicable
• Health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• Retirement benefits
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Sick days