Senior Specialist, Learning & Development at Merck in De Soto, MO

Senior Specialist, Learning & Development Location: USA - Kansas - De Soto 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. Description: The Learning & Development Senior Specialist will design and ensure delivery of a fully integrated training ecosystem to support startup and operation of a new aseptic manufacturing facility, including lyophilization, sterile filling, and enabling functions such as engineering and maintenance. The role also serves as a liaison to external education and training providers, ensuring local programs align with the site’s technical and GMP capability needs. Position Responsibilities: The primary focus of the L&D Senior Specialist is to: - Develop and execute a facility L&D strategy aligned to startup, commissioning, and operational ramp-up. - Build structured learning pathways translating complex systems into practical training for operators and technical staff: Manufacturing (aseptic processing, lyophilisation, visual inspection) Engineering (process, automation, CQV) Maintenance (asset care, calibration, GMP interventions) Quality and enabling functions - Align training with asset lifecycle phases (design → CQV → operations). - Co-develop curricula with OEM , subject matter experts and academic partners  aligned to:facility start up and commercial manufacturing - Leverage OEMs and vendors for specialized technical training content. - Establish and manage partnerships with local colleges, universities, and technical institute to strengthen employer brand and attract talent. - Embed training into FAT/SAT, commissioning, and PPQ phases. - Capture knowledge from: OEM vendors Commissioning and qualification activities Tech transfer SMEs - Strengthen a culture where technical competence underpins compliance and performance. - Other duties as assigned Competencies: Influencing: Ability to partner, collaborate, and impact decisions within the organization Interpersonal Relationships: Demonstrated skill in applying approaches, tools, and techniques for working with individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner Oral and Written Communications: Ability to express oneself to provide information to others effectively and in a succinct manner; advanced verbal, written, and presentation abilities; ability to ask thoughtful questions to gain insights, listen, and understand other perspectives Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Ability to make problems visible, propose viable solutions, and capitalize on opportunities. Qualifications & Experience: Required: Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Education, or related field Five (5)+ years of relevant Learning & Development experience Experience in GMP-regulated environments Experience developing technical training programs Strong stakeholder engagement (internal and external) L&D Program design with scalability and sustainability Preferred: Experience working with academic or workforce development partners Greenfield/startup facility experience Ability to translate complex systems into effective learning Adult Learning: Theory and Practice: Experience in applying concepts and practices of adult learning to meet the dynamic needs of the business Learning Needs Analysis: Proven experience in assessing competency gaps and identifying what people need to learn for successful individual and organizational performance GAHM-ILC Required Skills: Adult Learning Principles, Adult Learning Principles, Applied Engineering, Blended Learning Solutions, Change Management, Critical Thinking, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Decision Making, Digital Learning, e-Learning Standards, Facilitate Training Sessions, GMP Compliance, GMP Inspection, Instructional Design, Learning Needs Analysis, Online Video Creation, Oral Communications, Stakeholder Buy-In, Stakeholder Engagement, Technical Training, Technical Writing, Technology Transfer, Training Delivery, Training Evaluations, Training Needs Assessment {+ 2 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 EEOC GINA Supplement​ 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 U.S. Hybrid Work Model Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”. The salary range for this role is $106,200.00 - $167,200.00 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: 05/22/2026 *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.