Senior Specialist, Technical Product Management

Job Description

We are seeking a Sr. Specialist in Technical Product Management with deep expertise in the analytical method development, drug substance/product process development and manufacturing, clinical supply process, chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) to help build and enhance data products. The ideal candidate will have a strong scientific background with hands-on understanding in these respective domains, will understand the needs of stakeholders and users — particularly Analytical Scientists, Process Chemists/Engineers, and Clinical Supply Planners — and will bridge the gap between scientific requirements and data-driven product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Product, Data Science, and Engineering teams to define and develop data products tailored for analytical methods, process development, and clinical/commercial supply.
• Gather, manage, and prioritize product requirements by engaging with scientific stakeholders to understand user problems, technical constraints, and strategic objectives.
• Define and refine the product backlog; create actionable user stories that reflect the unique workflows and challenges of method development, process characterization, and supply operations.
• Act as a user expert, deeply understanding the motivations, pain points, and goals of scientific and supply users.
• Justify and prioritize improvements to existing products, focusing on delivering measurable value to scientific research, manufacturing, and supply operations.
• Develop and maintain technical knowledge and domain expertise in analytical sciences, process development, bioprocessing, and manufacturing/supply processes.
• Write clear problem statements and requirements; facilitate solution design with engineering teams.
• Serve as Product Owner on Agile teams or work closely with one to ensure scientific and data needs are met.
• Plan, design, and conduct testing activities; compile critical training and communication content for scientific and supply end-users.
• Analyze data, observations, and research to generate insights that inform product strategy and decision-making.
• Support the Product Manager in defining and executing strategy in collaboration with engineering teams for one or more data products.
• Accept completed user stories, ensuring deliverables meet acceptance criteria and scientific requirements.
• Act as a customer champion, articulating and advocating for the needs of scientific and supply stakeholders.

Key Deliverables

• Problem statements and requirements tailored to scientific workflows
• Understanding of reports and dashboards relevant to preclinical research and manufacturing
• Analysis and documentation of data used in product decisions
• Training materials to ensure user success with data products

Key Behaviors

• Demonstrate high agency, growth mindset, and initiative within a scientific context
• Listen effectively to analytical scientists, process engineers, and supply planners, simplifying complex scientific and data problems
• Act with urgency and prioritize tasks based on scientific and operational value delivered
• Influence without direct authority, especially among scientific and technical teams
• Exhibit critical thinking to balance scientific, business, and stakeholder needs
• Practice evidence-based decision-making
• Work sustainably and encourage this behavior in others
• Consistently document activities using company-provided tools
• Collaborate effectively across matrixed teams, including scientists, engineers, and product managers
• Show curiosity and empathy for user problems in method, process, and supply

Position Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred

Required Experience and Skills

• 2+ years building tools or data assets supporting scientific or data analytics workflows
• 3-5 years working with scientific users (e.g., analytical scientists, process chemists/engineers) to define requirements for data products
• Experience with data analytics or data science capabilities, especially in a scientific context
• Experience building ERDs, logical data models, and source-target mappings for scientific data
• Hands-on experience or working knowledge with data management services (AWS Athena, Glue, S3, Redshift, or similar)
• Proficiency in SQL and scientific data management
• Ability to translate scientific/business problems into actionable requirements and tasks
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and scientific stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Direct experience in pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical method development, process development, or clinical/commercial supply
• Domain knowledge or familiarity with analytical methods, laboratory/instrument data, manufacturing process data, and scientific workflows
• Knowledge of analytical and process data systems (e.g., LIMS, ELN, chromatography data systems, MES/manufacturing execution, or similar) and integration with data science tools
• Familiarity with method lifecycle and process concepts such as method validation/transfer, process characterization, critical quality attributes (CQAs), and critical process parameters (CPPs)
• Familiarity with harmonized/canonical data modeling, data lineage, and data quality concepts for scientific data
• Experience working in Agile software development
• Familiarity with cloud-based software and scientific data platforms, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and GxP/validated data environments

Required Skills:

Asset Management, Asset Management, Backlog Management, Benefits Management, Business Decisions, Computer Science, Data Analysis Tools, Data-Driven Decision Making, Data Generation, Feature Prioritization, Influencing Without Authority, Management System Development, Process Definition, Product Analysis, Product Improvements, Product Launch Planning, Product Management, Product Management Strategy, Product Requirements, Requirements Management, Requirements Specification, Research Analysis, Scientific Analysis, Software Development Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

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The salary range for this role is

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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 employee’s 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

You 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

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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:

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Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

10/13/2026

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