Director - Process Data Enablement Product Owner

Job Description Position Summary The Director, Process Data Enablement Product Owner, is a key leadership role within the Launch Line Intelligence product line team. This individual will be responsible for defining the key capabilities, developing a roadmap and driving delivery for our process data and analytics products. This role will lead a team of product analysts and data engineers to deliver high-quality, reliable, and governed data products that enable Manufacturing Science & Technology and Commercialization customers to run Process Performance Monitoring (PPM), batch data investigations, and cross-site process robustness analyses. In addition, the role will be a key stakeholder in the development and adoption of Process Digital Twins The Director will operate at an enterprise level, partnering with Technical Product Managers, S&T stakeholders, process data Subject Matter Experts, solution architects, data scientists, and cross-divisional IT teams to translate data needs into scalable, reusable, and compliant data engineering and analytics solutions. Key Responsibilities Define and communicate the product vision and roadmap for process data enablement, ensuring alignment with business goals and user needs, particularly in support of process transfer and product launch activities. Lead, mentor, and develop a team of product analysts and data engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Oversee the entire product lifecycle from conception to sustainment, including gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements to support the product pipeline. Collaborate extensively with senior Science & Technology (S&T) stakeholders across all modalities (biologics, small molecule, vaccines) to ensure the successful delivery of data products and analytics solutions that meet their evolving needs. Drive the execution of data acquisition, data quality, and data governance to ensure the reliability and integrity of our data assets. Champion a data-driven culture by promoting data literacy and enabling self-service analytics across the organization. Manage the product backlog and prioritize initiatives based on business value and importance to key programs. Ensure all solutions are compliant with SDLC, GMP/GxP, and other regulatory requirements. Foster strong relationships with key partners, including manufacturing sites, Development and Commercialization teams, and across divisional and enterprise IT, to facilitate seamless process transfers and launches. Required Qualifications A bachelor's degree in engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience. Proven experience in a product ownership or product management role, with a track record of successfully launching data-intensive products. Strong leadership skills with experience managing and mentoring teams of technical professionals. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders. Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business needs into a compelling product vision. Knowledge of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes and associated data systems (e.g., MES, LIMS, PI, SAP). Preferred Qualifications Detailed Knowledge of Small Molecule API manufacturing processes Experience with agile methodologies and a digital and innovative mindset. Familiarity with advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI applications in a manufacturing context. Experience with data visualization tools such as OSI PI, Power BI, or Seeq. Background in manufacturing or process analytics (PPA/PPM), including cross site or ‑franchise level‑ analysis and GMP/GxP considerations. Experience with agile methodologies and a digital and innovative mindset Required Skills: Agile Methodology, Agile Methodology, Agile Transformation, Backlog Management, Business Case Development, Business Process Analysis, Commercialization, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Data Engineering, Data Governance, Data Quality, Digital Transformation Initiatives, Incident Management, ITIL Service Delivery, IT Infrastructure Management, Manufacturing Processes, Microsoft Power Business Intelligence (BI), Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), Process Leadership, Product Backlog Management, Regulatory Requirements, Roadmapping, Scientific Software Development, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) {+ 2 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 characteristics. As 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: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement 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 another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts The salary range for this role is $173,200.00 - $272,600.00 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 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: No Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: 1st - Day Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): N/A Job Posting End Date: 06/11/2026 *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. Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.