Managing Director, Site Lead (m/f/d)

Job Description

As Managing Director (m/f/d) of our Friesoythe manufacturing site, you will hold full responsibility for operations, compliance, leadership, and strategic development at a site of approx. 300 employees which delivers product worldwide and is FDA and EU GMP approved.

You’ll lead a cross-functional leadership team, ensure stable global supply, and steer the site with clear direction, calm presence, and senior leadership strength – navigating complexity while keeping teams aligned and operations running smoothly.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of site operations, compliance (GMP, EHS, legal), performance, and strategy for our manufacturing site in Friesoythe.
• Set and drive the long-term vision and strategic roadmap for the site in alignment with the company’s global manufacturing and business goals.
• Empower, develop, and steer the site leadership team – ensuring engagement, capability building, and succession planning.
• Prepare and support key product launches from a supply and operational readiness perspective.
• Act as the Managing Director of Vet Pharma Friesoythe GmbH, taking legal responsibility for all local business activities and contract sign-offs.
• Ensure effective collaboration with global and local functions – including Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Commercial – to secure uninterrupted supply.
• Communicate clearly and credibly with employees and stakeholders, keeping the organization stable and motivated.
• Represent our business locally and maintain a strong, respectful relationship with the surrounding community and authorities.

Your Profile

• University degree in a relevant scientific, engineering, or technical field (e.g., Pharmaceutical, Chemistry, Process Engineering, Food Technology).
• 10+ years of experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (e.g., pharmaceuticals, food, or chemicals), ideally with FDA experience.
• 5+ years in senior leadership roles, ideally with full site responsibility.
• Strong operational understanding and ability to translate strategy into execution across functions.
• Excellent leadership presence – calm, structured, and inspiring even in uncertain times.
• Sound understanding of GMP and regulatory frameworks, Lean Manufacturing/MPS, and financial acumen.
• Ability to lead through change and navigate teams through transformation and ambiguity with clarity and empathy.
• Candidates with fluency in German will be strongly preferred.

You lead with clarity, presence, and sound judgment – especially when the environment is complex or in transition. You bring a strong operational foundation and know how to turn strategic goals into tangible outcomes. Your decisions are grounded, your communication is clear, and your teams trust you because you combine consistency with foresight. You’re quick to grasp what’s needed and unafraid to take responsibility, even when the path ahead is uncertain. What defines you is your ability to provide direction, build alignment, and keep teams moving – even when the pressure is high.

Ready to lead what’s next?

If you’re looking for a leadership role where operational excellence meets strategic relevance – and where your decisions truly matter – we look forward to hearing from you.

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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Business, Driving Continuous Improvement, Enterprise Leadership, Equipment Maintenance, Executive Presence, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Innovation, Job Descriptions, Maintenance Management, Maintenance Processes, Management Process, Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM), Multilingual Communications, Operational Excellence, People Leadership, Plant Operations, Power Plant Management, Production Scheduling, Safety Management, Self Motivation, Team Management, Writing Job Descriptions

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/18/2025

*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.

Requisition ID: R356326