Job Description

An amazing opportunity has arisen for an Operational Excellence / Project Management Office Intern. This internship will provide the successful candidate with hands-on exposure to Operational Excellence, Project Management Office activities, and continuous improvement approaches within a leading healthcare manufacturing environment. The intern will support the OPEX and PMO teams in delivering key site transformation objectives, tracking project portfolio activity, supporting capability build, and helping embed continuous improvement ways of working across the site. Our integrated production system for how we design, manage, and continuously improve our operations and supporting business processes enabled through the development of our people. The PMO supports the management of the Site Project Portfolio and Risk Management Process in line with industry best practices and site and network objectives.

 

What you will do:

Bring energy, curiosity, knowledge and a continuous improvement mindset to support the following:

MPS:

• Support the MPS team in the deployment of MPS tools and approaches in line with global MPS standards.

• Assist with site improvement initiatives linked to strategy objectives, using MPS and PMO methodologies.

• Participate in activities supporting Lean Foundational Competencies, including Tier, Problem-Solving, Leader Standardized Work, Standardized Work and Hoshin.

• Help gather, organise and analyse data to support continuous improvement projects and performance monitoring.

• Support the preparation of visual management materials, project updates, workshop outputs and communication packs.

• Assist with the use of lean tools and techniques such as problem solving, standard work, 5S, value stream mapping and process mapping.

• Partner with team members across functions to learn how digital and continuous improvement solutions are embedded into daily work.

PMO:

• Support the PMO team in maintaining the site project portfolio aligned with Hoshin and the 10 Year Plan.

• Assist project managers with project documentation, action tracking, meeting preparation and follow-up.

• Help maintain project dashboards, trackers and status reports to support governance and decision-making.

• Support preparation for portfolio review meetings, including gathering updates, capturing actions and documenting key outputs.

• Assist in maintaining the Site Risk Register and risk metrics by collating updates and supporting timely escalation of key risks.

• Work collaboratively with area owners and subject matter experts to learn how risks, mitigations and project dependencies are identified and tracked.

What you will learn:

• Gain practical experience in Operational Excellence, continuous improvement and project management within a regulated healthcare manufacturing environment.

• Develop an understanding of Our Company Production System and how lean tools are applied to improve safety, quality, delivery and cost performance.

• Learn how site project portfolios are governed, tracked and reported through PMO processes and performance routines.

• Build skills in data gathering, analysis, visual management, stakeholder communication and action tracking.

• Work with cross-functional teams to understand how improvement initiatives are identified, prioritised and delivered across the site.

Required

• Currently studying a third-level qualification in Business, Engineering, Science, Supply Chain, Project Management, Operations Management or a related discipline.

• Strong interest in Operational Excellence, project management, continuous improvement and pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing.

• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage tasks, meet deadlines and follow through on actions.

• Analytical mindset with curiosity to understand processes, data and opportunities for improvement.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the confidence to work with cross-functional teams.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and Word; experience with data visualisation or project tracking tools would be advantageous.

• Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to apply feedback in a fast-paced environment.

• Awareness of lean tools or continuous improvement concepts such as 5S, problem solving would be beneficial but is not essential.

PQ20

Required Skills:

Analytical Problem Solving, Analytical Problem Solving, Building Capability, Clinical Research, Collaboration, Competency Development, Data Analytics, Database Management, Data Entry, Data Visualization, Document Management, Health Economics, Microsoft PowerPoint, Office Applications, Operations Management, Process Improvements, Progress Monitoring, Project Documentation, Project Implementations, Project Management, Project Planning, Project Risk Management, Project Tracking, Reporting and Analysis, Review Meetings {+ 9 more}

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:

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

09/16/2026

*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.