Manufacturing Operations Lead (animal Vaccines)

Manufacturing Operations Lead (Animal Vaccines)

We are looking for a people-oriented leader who can steer the course in a rapidly changing production environment and challenge the status quo. You combine solid leadership experience with strategic insight, a results-driven mindset, and practical problem-solving skills, with ambition to grow.

For our Animal Health location in Boxmeer, we are looking for a Manufacturing Operations Lead (Animal Vaccines)

Welcome to our team

The Boxmeer site is part of our international animal health network and produces and packages veterinary medicines for the global market. The production organization in Boxmeer consists of several Integrated Process Teams (IPTs) and Centers of Excellence (CoEs). Within the IPT Live, living sterile vaccines are produced according to Good Manufacturing Principles (GMP) and Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) regulations. The IPT Live consists of around 280 employees, divided into Manufacturing (3 teams), Improvement and Maintenance & Reliability (M&R). Manufacturing consists of two facilities. In CFFD, around 70 colleagues work in two teams, five days a week in early and late shifts, preparing, filling, freeze-drying, capping, and visually inspecting vaccines. Due to the growth of the current Manufacturing Operations Lead, we are looking for a candidate who can continue and further optimize the set course.

About the role

Reporting to the IPT Lead, as a member of the IPT Management Team and in day shift, you are responsible for the operational management and development of CFFD. With 8 direct reports (2 production managers, 5 production experts, and 1 administrative assistant), you have a leading role in the strategic development of the entire production facility. Your responsibilities include ensuring and constantly improving operational performance, standardization across teams, developing recruitment and training plans for the future, financial forecasting, maintaining GMP standards, capacity planning, steering strategic projects, managing GMP audits, promoting collaboration, leading change processes, and ensuring a safe working environment. In this role, you work closely with Improvement, M&R, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and various Global Support Functions.

Your profile

• A completed and relevant education at least at the HBO level (Biotechnology, Business Administration, Engineering) combined with at least 10 years of relevant work experience.
• Extensive experience in developing a team and strategy in a relevant production environment (Pharma, Food, Chemistry).
• Familiarity with production technologies, GMP standards, and Lean Six Sigma principles.
• Excellent command of the Dutch and English languages.
• Residing at a reasonable distance from Boxmeer (in this role, we expect you to be on-site 5 days a week).

We offer

• The opportunity to lead a vaccine facility that supplies more than 30 different products to the global market for animal health. You will be part of a stable environment where the challenge lies in managing the constantly growing demand and an assignment to deal with it in an innovative way. Furthermore, you can count on:
• Competitive salary depending on your knowledge and experience.
• 3% end-of-year allowance and an annual bonus based on your and company results.
• Minimum of 35.5 vacation days.
• Travel expenses reimbursement and a solid pension plan.
• A high-quality company restaurant with daily fresh and healthy options.
• Excellent accessibility: the train station is directly at our main entrance and there is ample parking.
• A contribution to your personal sports subscription to support your vitality.
• A 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 separate prayer/meditation room.
• Extensive growth opportunities due to the size of the site and the presence of many disciplines and global departments represented in Boxmeer.
• A workplace within an organization that continuously grows and develops.

Animal Health

Our Animal Health division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. We are a worldwide team of professionals working together to make a positive impact in animal care and the food supply in the world, and we 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 provide veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and governments with one of the broadest ranges of veterinary medicines, vaccines, and solutions and services for health management, as well as an extensive offering of digitally connected identification, traceability, and monitoring products. We invest in dynamic and extensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. We operate in more than 50 countries, while our products are available in approximately 150 markets.

Do you have questions about this vacancy?

Send your question including the vacancy number and the vacancy title to the following email address: RecruitmentNL@MSD.com

Applications can only be submitted via our career site.

Required Skills: Decision Making, Dutch Language, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma Tools, Process Improvements, Project Management, Strategic Thinking, Team Leadership

Preferred Skills: Production Management

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: Not Applicable

VISA Sponsorship: Not Applicable

Travel Requirements: Not Applicable

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Day Shift

Valid Driving License: Not Required

Hazardous Material(s): Not Applicable

Job Posting End Date: 01/28/2026

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