Associate Director, Drug Substance Operations Wilmington Biotech

Job Description

Welcome to the Future of Precision Oncology Join Us in Wilmington DE!

Were thrilled to announce the launch of our cutting-edge Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) manufacturing facility in Wilmington Delawarea bold step forward in transforming cancer care through innovation collaboration and purpose-driven science.

ADCs represent one of the most exciting frontiers in biopharmaceuticals today. By combining the targeting power of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic drugs ADCs deliver cancer-killing agents directly to tumor cells minimizing damage to healthy tissue. This precision has revolutionized treatment for hematologic malignancies and is rapidly expanding into other cancers. The global ADC market is booming projected to surpass $16 billion in 2025 and grow steadily through 2035. Innovations in linker technology payload design and AI-driven antibody optimization are accelerating breakthroughs and expanding therapeutic possibilities.

Our Wilmington facility is designed to meet the growing demand for high-potency manufacturing ensure supply chain resilience and support the next wave of ADC launches . Importantly this site will support both drug substance conjugation and drug product .

This is more than a job - its a chance to be part of the next wave of cancer care . Whether youre an engineer scientist operator or quality expert your work here will contribute to life-changing therapies for patients around the world. Together well build a facility that not only meets the highest standards of safety and innovation but also fosters a culture of excellence inclusion and impact.

Join us in Wilmington and help shape the future of cancer treatmentone molecule at a time.

We invite you to become a part of our journey as the Manufacturing Associate Director Drug Substance. This role offers you the chance to contribute to the sites development and ensure successful GMP manufacturing.

In this position the Manufacturing Associate Director will play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth operation of various aspects of partnership with site MS&T the Manufacturing Associate Director will provide comprehensive manufacturing and technical leadership to the D S organization. This position will continue within the role from design through operation of the facility.

Bring energy knowledge innovation to carry out the following:

• Lead and engage with the engineering design firm in detailed design on all aspects of drug substance manufacturing.

• Lead and drive the Process Hazard Analyses and Quality Risk Assessments as necessary.

• Active participation in factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT).

• Develop project appropriate guidance documents as necessary.

• Execute automation sprints as necessary in the drug substance area .

• Support equipment qualification deliverables including equipment Commissioning & Qualification IOQ etc.

• Creation and revision of technical documents including manufacturing batch records SOPs and technical memos.

• Provide Manufacturing and Technical expertise within the manufacturing team including areas such as conjugation chromatography tangential flow filtration and filling.

• Execute the Engineering Batches Process Performance Qualifications and commercial manufacturing.

• Support technical deliverables within Drug Substance to support the successful product launch.

• Provide manufacturing and technical support for RFT implementation and execution.

• Explain complex technical issues to external customers / agencies.

What skills you will need:

To excel in this role you will need :

• Bachelors degree in engineering science or related discipline.

• Eight or more (8) years working in a cGMP biological vaccine or pharma facility . Preferred candidate will have cGMP experience with biological vaccine or pharma facility with prior aseptic manufacturing experience.

• Start-up experience in a large-scale commercial drug substance facility highly desirable.

• Demonstrated a bility to lead and operate within a matrix team to execute on the floor activities such as FAT SAT IQ/OQ and Engineering batches.

• Previous experience of manufacturing and technical support of shakedown batches engineering batches developmental batches and PPQ runs.

• Experience with chromatography and TFF operations will be advantageous

• Previous experience with CQV activities will be advantageous .

• Experience in data driven approach to root cause analysis and prioritization of continuous improvement initiatives e.g. Six Sigma.

• Experience in a risk-based approach to manufacturing through use of tools such as FMEA.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities as project demands change.

• Demonstrated skills in planning communication (oral and written ) and technical writing.

Required Skills:

Adaptability Adaptability Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC) Aseptic Processing Column Chromatography Communication Cross-Cultural Awareness Customer-Focused Driving Continuous Improvement Engineering Design Freeze Drying GMP Compliance Leadership Lean Six Sigma Process Improvement Management Process Manufacturing Manufacturing Quality Control Manufacturing Support Pharmaceutical Microbiology Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) Process Improvements Production Management Quality Management Regulatory Compliance Risk Based Approach 5 more

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race color age religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability status or other applicable legally protected a federal contractor we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws visit:

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together talented and committed people with diverse experiences perspectives skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas broad experiences backgrounds and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one anothers thinking and approach problems collectively.

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5 2023 employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week Monday - Thursday although the specific days may vary by site or organization with Friday designated as a remote-working day unless business critical tasks require an on-site Hybrid work model does not apply to and daily in-person attendance is required for field-based positions; facility-based manufacturing-based or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as remote.

The salary range for this role is

$126500.00 - $199100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills geographic location government requirements and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical dental vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family) retirement benefits including 401(k) paid holidays vacation and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants including those with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

11/29/2025

*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.

Required Experience:

Director