Job Description:

ROLE SUMMARY:

Reporting to the CSO, and as a key member of the R&D Leadership Team, the Head of R&D Business Operations will work with the CSO alongside PMO to execute the R&D strategy related to driving R&D operational excellence. 

The Head of R&D Business Operations will work with the CSO and PMO to define and manage the overall strategy, planning, execution, and delivery of key R&D initiatives that support the overall R&D goals. They will oversee cross-functional R&D operational processes and lead continuous improvement to enhance R&D effectiveness. They will Provide business guidance and coordination to support all RDLT members / functions within the R&D organization to drive R&D operational excellence. They will partner with other internal departments in cross-department projects and represent R&D with external vendors.

This role will assist with, and consult on, modified and new process mapping and documentation development, ensuring alignment to the R&D process framework.  In support of Business Process Excellence within R&D, this role will also support maintenance of documentation standards and other guidance materials for the same. This role is accountable for successful execution and completion of the initiatives; using agile methodologies and ensuring that processes and supporting documents are nimble and effective; and inclusive by working with and engaging all team members to encourage diverse perspectives and an optimized team.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Executive support:

Support the CSO in running R&D daily operations / meetings e.g., Town Halls, R&D Leadership Team meetings, Space planning
Provide leadership support with streamlining internal communications pathways and presenting data metric dashboards.

R&D Portfolio:

Assist RDLT to identify and resolve cross-functional project related issues to ensure projects continue to move forward

R&D Operations:

As a lead, follow process excellence best practices and seek input and guidance from RDLT as needed to support the following: 

• Identify and lead continual improvement across the R&D organization to enhance R&D effectiveness by following the appropriate methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma principles, DMAIC, Kaizen 5S etc.).


• Guide and facilitate workshops to align stakeholders on both the problem statement / opportunity, possible solution and metrics.


• Ensure process documents are consistent with R&D’s best practices and documentation expectations and standards, which includes revising and/or retiring past versions.


• Own the balanced scorecard for R&D and suggest R&D KPIs based on meaningful and actionable insight from our metrics.


• Own the operational people processes for R&D working closely with HR including onboarding, engagement, communication, and knowledge management.


• Work with HR as primary R&D talent liaison providing support and coordination for: backfill of open positions, identifying onboarding buddies, recognition of team members and other morale initiatives.


• Act as primarily R&D liaison as an operational point of contact.


• Help solve operational issues related to driving consistent delivery of thought leadership and insights.

Graduate / Internship Program Manager:

Manage the R&D graduate/internship program. Provide planning, mentorship, guidance, and final placement for the incoming graduate intern.

R&D Leadership:

Work with RDLT and HR to identify ongoing training needs across the R&D organization and work with HR to implement training.
Support design and development of team building, training, and other team-wide initiatives that improve processes, quality, and relationships.
Hold R&D Management Team Meetings and support the team with coordination of internal team events.

Vendor & Contract Management:

Work with Merz Sourcing to enhance vendor selection, management and oversight including the establishment of preferred vendors:

• Coordinate with Sourcing, Legal, and respective function throughout outsourcing process to ensure R&D needs are met for effective outsourcing and performance of vendor.


• Process mapping, optimization and metrics on contract and procurement management.
  
  

R&D Comms:

Be the point of contact for the Merz Ax Global Comms team and manage all R&D press releases.

Relationship Management & Communications:

Internal Alliance Management

• Represent R&D in cross-department projects to set the strategic direction and oversee the delivery of joint projects

External Alliance Management

• Represent Merz Ax R&D with external partners.


• Be the key point of contact for the Trancelerate program membership management.


• Triage and as needed respond to requests and inquiries from external key contact
  

Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills


• Excellent negotiation skills


• Proactive approach to work; demonstrates initiative and reliability


• High standard of written and spoken English


• Excellent MS Office skills


• Stakeholder facilitation and management  


• Proven success in a project management and operations management 


• Experience planning and leading strategic initiatives

Education:

• Life sciences degree-level qualification; higher level preferred eg, MSc, PhD


• Strong process improvement background eg, Lean Six Sigma, ASQ certification


• Experienced in managing cross-functional teams


• Device/Pharmaceutical background


• Extensive knowledge of ICH GCP and ISO

 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Research and Development

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