Senior Specialist, Learning & Development

Job Description

The Learning and Development Senior Specialist will be based at the DeSoto, Kansas facility. The role will develop and lead the execution of the L&D strategy for the DeSoto facility through consulting and delivery of appropriate learning solutions. The candidate will interact with and influence first line and upper-level managers to understand business goals, assess business and performance needs, lead the development execution of learning plans aligned to the business strategy. Success in this role depends on the candidate's ability to collaborate with leaders to drive business results. In addition, will collaborate with other site Learning Leads and Learning Specialists to work cross-functionally and act as a partner to assess business performance needs and communicate them to support design and delivery of learning solutions.

Position Responsibilities:

• Reporting to the regional AD Learning and Development, the primary focus of the Learning and Development Senior Specialist is to:
• Partner and consult with site leaders on topics related to skills development and training needs
• Active member of Site Leadership and participates in Site Leadership Tier meetings
• Develop Curriculum Framework, training plans and program materials in response to organizational needs
• Develop timelines and service level expectations for instructional projects
• Assist area management with deviation investigations involving training related topics and human error issues
• Develop and revise Standards Operating Procedures (SOP's) of business processes
• Partner with Subject Matter Experts (SME) to develop training content
• Developing assessment methodologies to fit business needs
• Leverage and strengthen the skills of SMEs to ensure effective training solutions and sustained results
• Be a member of a high performing team assigned to develop standard processes for the organization
• Effectively use metrics and measurement to ensure that learning solutions result in desired on-the-job behavior changes
• Be the Sub System Owner for Safety Standards (SN04) and Animal Health Training Quality Manual and interact with internal/external auditors (if needed).
• Responsible for developing and executing the site's annual learning plan
• Work with area managers to maintain compliant training curriculums and job codes in the areas they support
• Serve as point of contact for university relations, liaising with local hiring channels to develop healthy relationships with local sources of talent
• Primary administrator for the online Learning Management System for DeSoto, KC facility
• Obtain Animal Health On the Job (OJT) Train the Trainer qualification
• Deliver classroom training as needed
• Applies team effectiveness skills, listening and integrating diverse perspectives from across the work group; contributes and adds value to the achievement of team goals.
• 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 that occur by chance or by self-creation.
• 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.
• Training Delivery: Ability to effectively deliver or facilitate training in face-to-face and instructor-led sessions.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• BS/BA degree in a related field such as Education, Science (Biology, Chemistry) or Industrial Psychology, and (6) years relevant working experience,
• Preferred MS or MBA

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of four years in a highly regulated industry (preferably biotech/pharmaceutical manufacturing)
• Proven interpersonal skills, as well as very strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience developing training based on adult learning principles
• Facilitation and Presentation skills
• Ability to analyze and build upon existing learning platforms
• Working knowledge of GxP requirements
• Strong leadership skills, including proven Project Management skills
• Design and Development of Training Programs
• Develop assessments for programs and knowledge transfer

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Professional Learning Performance" Certification
• Collaborative and a team player, able to develop rapport and credibility with key stakeholders
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency, when applicable, to drive sustained business results and diversity in all of its manifestations.

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
$104,200.00 - $163,900.00

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:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Required Skills:
Adult Learning Theory, Adult Learning Theory, Blended Learning Solutions, Business, Business Processes, Business Process Modeling, Critical Thinking, Curriculum Development, Design Thinking, Employee Training Programs, HTML5, Implement Training Programs, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Innovative Learning, Instructional Design, Learning Needs Analysis, Learning Technology, Oral Communications, Project Management, Social Collaboration, Team Effectiveness, Training and Development, Training Content Development, Training Evaluations, Training Needs Assessment {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:
07/23/2025
*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.

Requisition ID:R356827