Job Description
Improvement Engineer
Permanent, full-time role with competitive remuneration and benefits
Location: Onsite at Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand
Career growth: Expand your expertise in a growing, successful industry
Professional development: Gain valuable experience in a dynamic, evolving role
Join our Animal Health manufacturing site as an Improvement Engineer, where you’ll play a critical role in enabling safe, compliant, and cost‑effective product supply. You’ll support your assigned Production Team in achieving targets by leading complex problem-solving initiatives, driving improvements, and executing advanced technical activities.
What You Will Do
Responsibilities include, however not limited to:
Lead & Collaborate
Act as a technical expert for your team, anticipating and supporting resolution of complex operational issues.
Identify and champion process, quality, safety, and cost improvements.
Use project management and improvement tools to support improvements in your area.
Build strong cross‑functional relationships and continuously improve ways of working.
Deliver Projects & Improvements
Lead local, site, or global projects—technical, operational, or system‑based.
Represent your team in wider site initiatives.
Analyse data to uncover improvement opportunities and provide actionable insights.
Coach & Execute Technical Activities
Create protocols, procedures, and technical reports.
Own investigation, CAPAs, changes, and safety/quality events for your technical area.
Train and coach colleagues in technical skills and system use.
Provide occasional frontline support where required.
What You Must have
Experience with sterile/aseptic manufacturing operations, including working within controlled environments, following aseptic technique, or supporting sterile production processes, is strongly preferred.
Technical background in (Bio)Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related discipline.
Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills with the ability to thrive in a GMP manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience in Clostridial Antigen Production; experience in vaccine formulation, filling, and packaging is an advantage.
Proven capability in Quality and EHS systems, problem solving, continuous improvement, and project management.
Prior leadership experience influencing and coaching in a GMP‑regulated biological or pharmaceutical setting.
What You Can Expect
Autonomy with strong support in a trusted, global, leading Animal Health organisation
Ongoing development and upskilling with exposure to different projects and technologies
Flexibility with pathways to broaden your skill set and access new opportunities
A collaborative team of like-minded professionals who share knowledge and drive improvement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing varied, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when varied ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and multicultural workplace.
Required Skills:
Business Process Analysis, Business Process Improvements, Business Requirements Management, Change Management, Collaborative Leadership, Customer Management, Customer Satisfaction, Data Analysis, Developing Others, GMP Compliance, Information Technology Applications, Leadership, Manufacturing Automation, Manufacturing Environments, Operations Scheduling, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Systems, Project Management, Quality Control Management, Stakeholder Engagement
Preferred Skills:
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:
05/29/2026
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.
Requisition ID:R380543
Permanent, full-time role with competitive remuneration and benefits
Location: Onsite at Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand
Career growth: Expand your expertise in a growing, successful industry
Professional development: Gain valuable experience in a dynamic, evolving role
Join our Animal Health manufacturing site as an Improvement Engineer, where you’ll play a critical role in enabling safe, compliant, and cost‑effective product supply. You’ll support your assigned Production Team in achieving targets by leading complex problem-solving initiatives, driving improvements, and executing advanced technical activities.
What You Will Do
Responsibilities include, however not limited to:
Lead & Collaborate
Act as a technical expert for your team, anticipating and supporting resolution of complex operational issues.
Identify and champion process, quality, safety, and cost improvements.
Use project management and improvement tools to support improvements in your area.
Build strong cross‑functional relationships and continuously improve ways of working.
Deliver Projects & Improvements
Lead local, site, or global projects—technical, operational, or system‑based.
Represent your team in wider site initiatives.
Analyse data to uncover improvement opportunities and provide actionable insights.
Coach & Execute Technical Activities
Create protocols, procedures, and technical reports.
Own investigation, CAPAs, changes, and safety/quality events for your technical area.
Train and coach colleagues in technical skills and system use.
Provide occasional frontline support where required.
What You Must have
Experience with sterile/aseptic manufacturing operations, including working within controlled environments, following aseptic technique, or supporting sterile production processes, is strongly preferred.
Technical background in (Bio)Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related discipline.
Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills with the ability to thrive in a GMP manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience in Clostridial Antigen Production; experience in vaccine formulation, filling, and packaging is an advantage.
Proven capability in Quality and EHS systems, problem solving, continuous improvement, and project management.
Prior leadership experience influencing and coaching in a GMP‑regulated biological or pharmaceutical setting.
What You Can Expect
Autonomy with strong support in a trusted, global, leading Animal Health organisation
Ongoing development and upskilling with exposure to different projects and technologies
Flexibility with pathways to broaden your skill set and access new opportunities
A collaborative team of like-minded professionals who share knowledge and drive improvement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing varied, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when varied ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and multicultural workplace.
Required Skills:
Business Process Analysis, Business Process Improvements, Business Requirements Management, Change Management, Collaborative Leadership, Customer Management, Customer Satisfaction, Data Analysis, Developing Others, GMP Compliance, Information Technology Applications, Leadership, Manufacturing Automation, Manufacturing Environments, Operations Scheduling, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Systems, Project Management, Quality Control Management, Stakeholder Engagement
Preferred Skills:
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:
05/29/2026
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.
Requisition ID:R380543
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Improvement Engineer position is now open for candidates interested in the Manufacturing Jobs sector. This role in Wellington offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Manufacturing Jobs is a plus.
