Job Description
Help shape the future of our vaccine facility
Do you want to play a key role in one of the most advanced production environments in the pharmaceutical industry? Are you an inspiring leader who knows how to connect people, help talent grow, and draw energy from technical challenges?
Then this is your chance! For our team in De Bilt we are looking for a:
Junior Operations Manager Fill & Finish Production
Welcome to our team
Our Animal Health production site in De Bilt produces vaccines that contribute to animal health worldwide. Around 150 colleagues at our site work every day on a safe, reliable and high-quality production process.
Due to growing demand for our products, we are investing heavily in expansion, new technologies and further professionalization of our organization. Our Fill & Finish department plays a crucial role in this. Here, vaccines are filled into ampoules in accordance with strict GMP, quality and safety guidelines.
You will work closely with colleagues from Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS and Supply Chain. Together you ensure an efficient operation and a culture of continuous improvement.
About the role
For our production site in De Bilt we are looking for a Junior Operations Manager - Fill & Finish Production. In this role you combine people-oriented leadership with technical affinity and a strong focus on operational excellence.
You lead a team of operators and are a visible, committed coach on the shop floor. You support employees in their development, encourage ownership and create a safe and results-oriented work environment. In addition, you make an important contribution to the further optimization of our modern filling line.
You do not need to solve technical failures yourself, but you have sufficient technical insight to understand the cause of problems, ask the right questions and successfully realize improvement initiatives.
Tasks and responsibilities include
- Leading, coaching and developing a team of approximately 15 to 20 operators.
- Creating a culture in which ownership, collaboration and continuous development are central.
- Being present on the shop floor daily to guide, support and motivate employees.
- Ensuring a safe working environment and actively promoting the principle of Safety First, Quality Always.
- Ensuring compliance with GMP, quality, safety and compliance guidelines.
- Analyzing technical disruptions and process deviations and contributing to structural solutions.
- Carrying out and guiding root cause analyses and improvement trajectories.
- Collaborating with Engineering, Maintenance, Automation, Quality and external suppliers to further optimize production processes.
- Initiating and leading improvement projects aimed at increasing the reliability, efficiency and availability of the filling line.
- Stimulating an open improvement culture in which deviations can be discussed and employees actively contribute to continuous improvement.
Your profile
- Completed HBO (university of applied sciences) or WO (research university) education in a technical field (e.g. Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics or Process Technology).
- Experience in directing, coaching and developing employees.
- Experience in a production environment, preferably in a regulated industry such as pharma, biotech, food or chemicals.
- Strong technical knowledge of automated production installations.
- Experience analyzing and resolving complex technical failures.
- Affinity with continuous improvement, for example through Lean, TPM, RCA or comparable methodologies.
- Good communication skills in both Dutch and English.
- Practical, hands-on attitude and visibly present on the shop floor.
- Natural coach with strong collaboration and change management skills.
- Proactive, technically curious, reliable and stress-resistant, with an eye for both people and process.
Working hours
This position has flexible working hours that match the needs of the production organization.
To be able to support employees optimally and stay involved in the operation, we expect you to work a shift from 12:30 to 21:00 at least two days per week. The other working days are planned in consultation. This keeps you involved in both the day and evening shifts and present at the moments when your coaching and technical support make the difference.
What do we offer?
Working with us means working in an innovative production environment where people, technology and quality come together. You will have the space to develop further and make a direct contribution to animal health worldwide.
In addition, we offer:
- A competitive salary in line with your experience.
- Annual Incentive Plan.
- 35.5 vacation days per year.
- 8% holiday allowance.
- 3% year-end bonus.
- An excellent pension scheme.
- Travel expense reimbursement.
- Extensive training and development opportunities.
- Growth opportunities within an international organization.
- Working with modern technology in a rapidly growing production environment.
Animal Health
Our Animal Health division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving the health, welfare and performance of animals and the people who care for them. We are a global team of professionals who work together to make a positive impact on animal care and the world's food supply, 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 offer veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments 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 are active in more than 50 countries, while our products are available in approximately 150 markets.
Do you have questions about this vacancy?
Send your question together with the vacancy number and the title of the vacancy to this email address: RecruitmentNL@MSD.com. You can only apply via the website.
Additional location(s) Compensation Information:
Required Skills:
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Operational Efficiency, People Leadership, Process Improvements, Production Planning, Production Scheduling, Safety Protocols, Teamwork
Preferred Skills:
Downstream Processing, Manufacturing, Production Processes
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:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
11/24/2026
*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.