Associate Director Method Transfers (Bioassays)

Job Description

A newly created highly visible leadership role, focused on strengthening and centralizing analytical method transfer capabilities for Large Molecules across the EU/APAC network.

For our Animal Health location Boxmeer, we are currently recruiting an Associate Director Method Transfers (Bioassays)

Welcome to our team

Our Global Science & Technology (S&T) division applies science, technology and innovation to support new product commercialization and ensure supply continuity for animal health manufacturing. S&T continuously improves processes and analytics to meet customer needs through manufacturing excellence. Within S&T, Global Analytical Technology Solutions (ATS) oversees analytical activities across the Animal Health network. To strengthen and centralize Large Molecule analytical method transfers across the EU/APAC network, we are building a new Bio Method Transfer team of up to five employees. To lead this team, we are looking for an Associate Director Method Transfers (Bioassays).

Purpose of the role

In this newly created role, you are the leading Bio Method Transfer expert within ATS for Large Molecules working closely with R&D, QC and other key stakeholders to optimize and implement the full end-to-end method transfer process.  You will play a key role in ensuring Large Molecule analytical methods are transfer-ready, enabling smooth, right-first-time implementation across QC laboratories in the EU/APAC network. By shaping and driving execution of the analytical method transfer strategy, aligning key stakeholders, and coordinating the portfolio, you drive efficient method transfers, robust assay performance, and reliable batch release across sites. In addition to people leadership and portfolio oversight, you act as senior Subject Matter Expert (SME) to lead and manage complex method transfers and high-risk investigations. You also serve as a trusted sparring partner to R&D and QC from early method development onwards, providing input to ensure assay robustness, transferability, and operational excellence.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to and help define departmental strategy, while leading the Bio Method Transfer team; managing large regional analytical transfer projects including forecasting and monitoring of budgets, costs and headcount.
• Lead complex, multi-site, or high-risk method transfers.
• Act as sparring partner for R&D during early assay development, ensuring that method design, robustness, biomaterials, and operational considerations enable future transferability and unconstrained QC batch release testing.
• Define and lead the New Product Commercialization analytical method transfer strategy including appropriate method robustness, platform suitability, lifecycle considerations, and readiness for right first-time transfer to QC laboratories.
• Own and manage analytical transfer plans at the portfolio and regional level, including budget and QC resource requirements, timelines, milestones, deliverables, documentation, and transfer readiness criteria.
• Execute, optimize and coordinate complex analytical method transfers, including preparation and review of transfer documentation (risk/gap assessments, protocols, reports).
• Align with R&D and QC stakeholders on method readiness, acceptance criteria, specification settings, and documentation standards and ensure coordinated execution across sites.
• Serve as senior SME for LM bioanalytical methods, providing expert troubleshooting, analytical decision making, and design input for robustness and remediation studies.
• Conduct or review advanced data analyses, robustness evaluations, trend assessments, and technical investigations to confirm method performance during development and post-implementation at receiving QC sites.
• Strengthen analytical lifecycle maturity through proactive remediation, structured knowledge capture, continuous improvement practices, and harmonization across ATS Bio Inline Support and Biomaterials Lifecycle teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with R&D, QC, QA, (G)RA, BTS, Data Science and other (external) partners, representing ATS in cross‑functional, multi-site and/or external engagements to drive (network-wide) transfer strategy alignment and realization.
• Identify risks early during method development and transfer execution and escalate issues appropriately to maintain momentum and support informed decision making at governance points such as NPDP stage gates.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Bio Method Transfer team, and ensure proper staffing (people, location and skills) to deliver strategic analytical priorities across the LM network.
• Manage training, talent development, performance management, and project portfolio prioritization.
• Work closely with other Analytical leads (in EU/APAC/US) to ensure cross-fertilization of teams, knowledge transfer and people development.

Your profile

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Biological Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Sciences, or related discipline
• Extensive experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, specifically in the analytics of large molecules (bioassays, vaccines).
• Extensive hands‑on experience combined with deep technical expertise in large‑molecule biological QC methods (e.g., ELISA, PCR, cell culture, virus titration, and other relevant bio-analytical techniques), including development, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting/remediation to ensure robust assay performance.
• Demonstrated people‑leadership experience including coaching, performance and change management, and the development of high-performing technical teams.
• Strong leadership skills including entrepreneurship and political stakeholder management
• Proven negotiation and influencing skills to harmonize competing priorities while maintaining excellent cross‑team relationships.
• Strong data analysis skills, including extensive experience with statistical software (e.g., Minitab, Aera), and a demonstrated ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
• Excellent project management, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead through collaboration and drive clarity across complex, multi-site organizations.
• Good command of the Dutch and English language.
• Based within a reasonable commuting distance of Boxmeer, or willing to relocate.

What we offer

A unique opportunity to shape a new capability, build a high-impact team, and create lasting value across the network.

In addition, we offer a competitive benefits package that supports your well-being, growth, and long-term success.

• Competitive compensation aligned with your knowledge and experience.
• 3% year-end payment and an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• 35,5 days of leave.
• Solid Pension Plan.
• Travel allowance for commuting.
• Numerous training, coaching and e-learning modules for long term job opportunities and development.
• Excellent accessibility: the train station is right by our main entrance and there is ample parking.
• High-quality company restaurant with fresh, healthy options daily.
• Contribution toward your personal sports/fitness membership to support your vitality.
• Beautiful private park on the premises, ideal for a walk, break, or moment of relaxation.
• Mental well-being support via Lyra Health for you and your family members.
• Access to a dedicated prayer/meditation room.

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.

Do you have questions about this job vacancy?
Send your question, including the job number and job title, to the following email address: RecruitmentNL@MSD.com
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Required Skills:

Analytical Method Transfer, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Customer-Focused, Immunoassays, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Process Improvements, Quality Control (QC), Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (real-time PCR), Teamwork, Technical Problem-Solving

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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):

Job Posting End Date:

06/24/2026

*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.

Requisition ID: R400406