Head of Operational Excellence (m/f/d)

Job Description

Our manufacturing site in Cologne is evolving, with new products and processes being introduced alongside ongoing production. As Head of Operational Excellence (m/f/d), you will play a key role in shaping this transformation while ensuring we continue to deliver safely, reliably and with high quality.

You will lead our Operational Excellence team and work closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Finance and global functions to identify opportunities, drive improvements and turn change into sustainable results.

What you will do

• Lead, develop and empower a team of Operational Excellence professionals.
• Drive continuous improvement across the site with a focus on Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost.
• Identify and lead improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes, equipment and ways of working.
• Lead and prioritize site improvement projects, including productivity and capital investment initiatives.
• Support the introduction of new products, processes and equipment in close collaboration with site and global teams.
• Apply structured problem-solving and continuous improvement approaches to complex operational challenges.
• Support investigations and the implementation of sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and ownership across the site.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Biotechnology or another relevant technical or scientific discipline.
• Significant experience in manufacturing, ideally within the pharmaceutical, life sciences or another regulated industry.
• Proven people leadership experience with responsibility for developing and leading teams.
• Strong experience in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing or comparable improvement methodologies.
• Good understanding of manufacturing operations, processes and equipment.
• Experience leading change and translating complex challenges into practical, sustainable solutions.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills across different functions and organizational levels.
• Very good English skills are required; German language skills are highly preferred.
• A pragmatic, hands-on mindset combined with curiosity and a willingness to continuously learn and improve.

Working at our Cologne site

This is a leadership role with a strong connection to our manufacturing operations and teams in Cologne. Regular on-site presence is therefore an important part of the role, with flexibility for remote working where business and operational needs allow.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills:

Aseptic Operations, CAPA Management, Cultural Change Management, Decision Making, Disease Prevention, Engineering Principle, Facility Design, Factory Planning, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma Process Improvement, Manufacturing, People Leadership, People Management, Process Improvements, Production Planning, Production Ramp Up, Root Cause Investigations, Sterile Manufacturing, Strategic Thinking, Team Leadership, Technical Problem-Solving

Preferred Skills:

Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence

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:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

11/23/2026

*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.