Operations Manager

Job Description

Are you energized by building teams, shaping culture, and bringing a new manufacturing facility to life? As Operational Manager, you will play a pivotal leadership role in the start-up of our next-generation Blend & Fill facility.

For our Animal Health location Boxmeer we are currently recruiting an: Operational Manager

Welcome to our team

We are the largest and most versatile pharmaceutical company in the Netherlands. For 130 years, we have been working on solutions to the world's greatest medical challenges. Development, research, manufacturing, and packaging, all based here in the Netherlands. Together with 5,000 colleagues across North Holland and Brabant, we are building a safe, sustainable, and healthy future for both people and animals. Our Animal Health site in Boxmeer is a global leader in vaccines and veterinary pharmaceuticals.

About the role

You will be responsible for building and developing the operations organization, leading a team of Operational Coaches, and preparing the site for successful commissioning, qualification, validation, and commercial operations.

This is a unique opportunity to help create a fully digital, paperless manufacturing environment from the ground up. You will drive the adoption of innovative technologies, data-driven decision-making, and modern ways of working, while establishing a culture rooted in safety, quality, continuous improvement, and employee engagement. Working closely with cross-functional partners across Engineering, Automation, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance, you will help shape the future operating model and ensure the organization is ready to deliver world-class manufacturing performance from Day 1.

If you are passionate about developing people, leading change, and building a high-performing organization in a cutting-edge manufacturing environment, we would like to hear from you.

Task and responsibilities

Build & Develop Operations

• Establish and scale the manufacturing organization from start-up to commercial operations.
• Define structure, staffing, leadership frameworks, and performance expectations.
• Recruit, develop, and lead Operational Coaches and operators.
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.

Operational Readiness & Start-up

• Lead operational readiness for commissioning, qualification, validation, and commercial manufacturing.
• Drive readiness assessments, close operational gaps, and implement processes, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure effective knowledge transfer and a seamless transition from project to routine operations.

Digital Manufacturing & Innovation

• Champion digital manufacturing, including paperless processes, electronic batch records, and digital workflows.
• Promote data-driven decision-making, automation, and innovation.
• Partner with Digital Manufacturing and Automation teams to maximize value from digital solutions and analytics.

Manufacturing Operations Leadership

• Provide leadership and coaching to Operational Coaches and frontline leaders.
• Ensure performance meets safety, quality, regulatory, and business objectives.
• Drive operational excellence, effective problem-solving, and robust performance management.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Represent Operations within the site leadership team.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Automation, M&R, and Project teams.
• Ensure operational requirements are integrated into facility, process, and system designs.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Build and maintain a safety-first, quality-first culture.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, EHS, regulatory, and data integrity requirements.
• Drive risk management, inspection readiness, and operational excellence.

Your Profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Process Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Significant leadership experience within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, chemical, or other highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success in developing leaders and building high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of GMP, EHS, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience leading change and driving organizational transformation.
• Knowledge of digital manufacturing concepts, including MES, electronic batch records, paperless operations, automation, data analytics, and Industry 4.0 solutions.
• Strong strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English; Dutch is an advantage.
• Passion for developing people, fostering innovation, and building the manufacturing organization of the future.

What we offer

The opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of both animals and people, within a stable environment where collaboration and collegiality come first. In addition, you can expect:

• A competitive salary based on your knowledge and experience.
• A 3% year-end allowance and an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• A minimum of 35.5 days of annual leave.
• Travel expense reimbursement and a solid pension scheme.
• A high-quality on-site restaurant offering fresh and healthy options daily.
• Excellent accessibility: the train station is located directly at our main entrance, and there is ample parking available.
• A contribution toward your personal gym or sports membership to support your well-being.
• A beautiful private park on site, 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 dedicated prayer and meditation room.
• Extensive growth and development opportunities thanks to the size of the site and the presence of multiple disciplines and global departments represented in Boxmeer.
• A workplace within an organization that continues to grow and evolve.

For questions about this vacancy

Please send an email including the vacancy number and job title to the following email address: [email protected].

Animal Health

Our Animal Health Division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world’s food supply and 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 offer veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products. We invest in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. We are present in more than 50 countries, while our products are available in some 150 markets.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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. 

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