As the Director of Global Asset Management, Engineering & Maintenance at Merck, Thomas Povanda plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and innovation within the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. With over 20 years of experience, he leverages his extensive expertise in Engineering, Maintenance, Calibration,...
As the Director of Global Asset Management, Engineering & Maintenance at Merck, Thomas Povanda plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and innovation within the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. With over 20 years of experience, he leverages his extensive expertise in Engineering, Maintenance, Calibration, Reliability, and Automation Strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Merck's facilities worldwide. Thomas is known for his transformational leadership style, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement among diverse teams across various geographies.
Currently, Thomas is spearheading several key projects aimed at integrating emerging technologies into Merck's manufacturing processes. His focus on digital end-to-end (E2E) value chains is reshaping how the organization approaches production and maintenance, ensuring that operations are not only compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) but also optimized for future scalability. His strategic vision translates into actionable plans that drive significant improvements in asset reliability and operational performance.
In addition to his technical acumen, Thomas's strong interpersonal skills enable him to build cohesive teams that are self-directed and empowered to innovate. He is adept at utilizing tools such as SAP and Visio to streamline processes and enhance project management, ensuring that all initiatives align with regulatory standards, including 21 CFR Part 11. Through his leadership, Merck is not only advancing its operational capabilities but also setting a benchmark for excellence in the pharmaceutical industry. Thomas's commitment to fostering a culture of safety, quality, and efficiency positions him as a key driver of Merck's mission to deliver life-saving therapies to patients around the globe.
