R&D Manager (m/f/d), Molsheim

Our passion for science and technology drives our approximately 62,000 employees in 65 countries to address some of today’s toughest challenges and develop more sustainable ways of living.

In our rapidly changing and uncertain world, factors such as an aging population, chronic diseases, AI, climate change, and other megatrends have created an appetite for scientific breakthroughs that can make a positive difference across our global society. The pace of change will increase over coming decades as technologies evolve and converge in ways that fundamentally transform how we live and work. For us at Merck, change is not a threat but an opportunity as we have proven for over more than 350 years.

Tasks

As Senior Manager of NovaSeptum R&D, you will provide strategic leadership and management for the development of innovative single-use sampling products for pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing. This role drives R&D strategy, translates business vision into executable technical objectives, and ensures the successful delivery of high-quality, market-driven solutions. You will lead and inspire a talented team, managing the full product lifecycle from concept through commercialization with a strong focus on cross-functional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement R&D strategies, roadmaps, and long-range plans aligned with business goals to advance NovaSeptum’s product portfolio.
• Lead, mentor, and cultivate a high-performing, innovative R&D team by overseeing hiring, performance evaluation, and professional development efforts.
• Manage the NovaSeptum R&D project portfolio, ensuring on-time delivery, adherence to budgets, and quality standards for new product introductions (NPI) and product enhancements.
• Drive design, development, and validation of single-use sampling products, emphasizing design for manufacturing and assembly, scalability, and compliance.
• Collaborate effectively with Marketing, Operations, Quality, Clinical, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Product Management teams to ensure products meet market demands, regulatory requirements, and commercialization success.
• Provide technical stewardship by guiding teams through complex challenges, benchmarking industry technologies, and evaluating emerging manufacturing innovations to maintain competitive advantage.
• Champion good engineering practices including DOE, statistical data analysis, and validation strategies throughout the development process.
• Oversee project planning processes, including development and maintenance of project plans, budgets, and timelines, aligned with organizational objectives.

Profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in product development and R&D leadership within medical device, pharmaceutical, or biotech industries, ideally with single-use systems or aseptic connectors.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Proven expertise in plastics product design and process development including injection molding, ultrasonic bonding, and film processing.
• Strong background and demonstrated success in design for manufacturing, qualification, validation, and new product introduction.
• Extensive experience leading cross-functional projects and managing technical teams in complex environments.
• Exceptional communication, strategic planning, project management, and leadership skills.