Categories: Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, Animal Health

Job Description

Driving force behind site-wide transformation and measurable performance improvement.

For our Animal Health location Boxmeer, we are currently recruiting a Senior Lean Six Sigma Specialist

Welcome to our team

Our Boxmeer site manufactures and package animal health products according to Good Manufacturing Practices standards (GMP) and is working according to our in-house developed production system (MPS), which is based on Lean Six Sigma and inclusion principles. Operational Excellence (CoE OPX) is our Center of Excellence driving world-class supply processes at Boxmeer and De Bilt. With 15 specialists with backgrounds in Learning & Development, SAP and business information, and MPS, the team accelerates the transformation by developing people, optimizing the supply chain, and boosting productivity across manufacturing and adjacent processes.

Purpose of the role

Reporting to the Director of Operational Excellence, you serve as an internal Lean practitioner, Six Sigma expert and coach who drives site-wide transformation and continuous improvement. Within our strategic framework, you initiate, lead, and manage cross-functional projects across the value stream to improve supply, increase productivity and sustainably embed better ways of working. Through sharp data analysis and clear dashboards, you create performance insights that drive results. By applying Lean, Six Sigma, project management, and change management, you deliver measurable performance improvements, develop colleagues at all levels, and build a culture where continuous improvement is part of everyday work.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Assure effective application of Lean, Six Sigma, project management, and cultural change management by demonstrating them in site-wide projects.
• Lead site-wide initiatives with cross-functional stakeholders, from strategy and design through implementation and sustainment.
• Raise Lean Six Sigma maturity by defining standards and best practices and providing coaching.
• Perform in-depth data analysis; develop and maintain Power BI dashboards and tools that provide insight into business performance.
• Design and deliver Lean Six Sigma trainings (foundational to advanced), including materials, case studies, and evaluations.
• Facilitate cross-functional Kaizen events and complex problem-solving sessions.
• Track benefits and report progress to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and measurable impact.
• Continuously develop yourself and others in Lean, project management, and change management, while coaching sponsors and stakeholders throughout improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate value scouting workshops.

Your profile

• Master’s degree in a relevant technical or business discipline (e.g., Industrial Engineering, Technical Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, (Bio)Technology, Life Sciences), combined with a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Established track record of delivering site-wide and complex cross-functional improvement programs on time and with impact.
• Proven experience leading cultural change initiatives. Ability to align behaviors and mindsets with strategy, engage stakeholders at all levels, and embed new ways of working for lasting impact.
• Capable of performing deep data analysis and building clear, actionable Power BI dashboards and metrics.
• Clear, credible communicator who influences outcomes, shares progress openly and connects with stakeholders at every level.
• Proven practitioner with the ability to apply, teach, and coach Lean and Six Sigma.
• Excellent command of the English language.

What we offer

A highly visible role within a complex site of over 2,500 colleagues, offering the opportunity to build strong cross-functional partnerships and combine technical excellence with real strategic influence. This role offers clear opportunities to grow into future (leadership) positions within the (international) organization. Our benefits are very competitive, and the summary below will give you an idea of what you can expect.

• Competitive salary and a 3% year-end allowance.
• 35,5 days of leave.
• Attractive collective health care insurance package with considerable reduction rates.
• Solid Pension Plan.
• Annual bonus based on own and company performance.
• Travel allowance for commuting.
• Numerous training, coaching and e-learning modules for long term job opportunities and development.

Animal Health

Our Animal Health Division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world’s food supply and have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society, and our planet.

Through our commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, we offer veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products. We invest in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. We are present in more than 50 countries, while our products are available in some 150 markets.

For questions about this vacancy

Please send an email including the vacancy number and job title to the following email address: RecruitmentNL@MSD.com

Applications can only be submitted through our career site.

Required Skills:

Analytical Problem Solving, Change Management, Coaching, Continuous Improvement, Continuous Improvement Tools, Data Analysis, Leadership, Lean Management, Lean Process Improvements, Lean Six Sigma (LSS), Lean Six Sigma Management, Management Process, Microsoft Power Business Intelligence (BI), Process Improvements, Project Management, Six Sigma, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Management, Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

12/20/2025

*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.