Manager, Maintenance

Job Description

For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science.  Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technology.  Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way.

Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence.  Because when it comes to animal health, no one sees it like we do.

Our Animal Health Division is investing $895 million in expanding our manufacturing and research & development facilities in De Soto, Kansas — the state’s largest economic development project to date. You will join a world-class team at our Center of Excellence in the Animal Health Corridor, contributing directly to the production of veterinary products that improve animal health and welfare globally.

As the Maintenance Manager for our brand-new, state-of-the-art animal health manufacturing facility, you will be responsible for building, leading, and scaling our maintenance organization from the ground up. This is a critical startup role. You will recruit and develop a high-performing team of multi-craft maintenance technicians, establish a culture of high operational efficiency and rigorous accountability, and implement preventative/predictive maintenance programs.

Key Responsibilities:

- Build, recruit, hire, onboard, and train a brand-new team of mechanical and electrical technicians to support 24/7 formulation, filling, lyophilization, and utility operations.
- Lead the maintenance group, conduct performance reviews, set clear expectations, and foster a strong culture of Safety and Personal Ownership.

- Drive maintenance department efficiency through structured oversight, resource planning, and job scheduling processes designed to optimize planned maintenance and wrench-time while minimizing downtime.

- Oversee the setup and implementation of the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to track work orders, spare parts, and equipment histories for the new facility.
- Support the commissioning and qualification of the new facility.  Work closely with internal stakeholders, equipment suppliers, and contractors to ensure a timely and compliant startup.
- Ensure all maintenance activities, SOPs, and records are executed and documented in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
- Support regulatory audits and inspections, addressing Maintenance-related questions.
- Additional duties as assigned

Education Minimum Requirement :

- Associate’s degree in applicable field, OR equivalent trade school/military training combined with extensive industrial leadership experience.

Required Experience and Skills

- 5+ years of maintenance leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
- 10+ years of engineering, maintenance, or operations experience.
- Have strong mechanical and/or electrical aptitude with proven problem‑solving skills.

- Organized planner and leader, with the technical capability to assist hands-on as needed.

- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Collaborative nature with strong team building skills. Able to learn from and accept guidance from others.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks, prioritize effectively, and consistently deliver high‑quality results.

Preferred Experience and Skills

- Bachelor’s degree in related Engineering or Technical Management
- Direct experience working in aseptic environments, automatic filling lines and/or lyophilized products.
- Experience working in a regulated environment, particularly FDA or USDA facilities.

- Experience supporting the startup of large-scale projects and/or facilities.

Schedule Requirements

- Day shift, Monday through Friday as base schedule
- Off-shift support may be required during periods of equipment startup or troubleshooting.
- Must be willing to travel to equipment suppliers for acceptance testing (FAT’s) during construction phase of the project.

Required Skills:
Ability to Coordinate, Ability to Coordinate, Accountability, Competency Management, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), Computer Maintenance, Decision Making, Engineering Management, Environmental Regulatory Compliance, Equipment Installations, Equipment Maintenance, Equipment Operations, Equipment Ordering, Equipment Set Up, Facility Maintenance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HVAC Design, Maintenance Audits, Maintenance Management, Maintenance Scheduling, Manufacturing Maintenance, Mechanical Integrity, People Leadership, Predictive Maintenance, Process Improvements {+ 7 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

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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
$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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits .

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
10/17/2026
*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.