Assoc. Dir, Procurement

Associate Director of Global Operations Sourcing

Our Global Operations Sourcing team partner with the business to ensure efficient acquisition of goods and services that enables the commercialization of our medicines, vaccines and Animal Health products. We collaborate internationally and are grouped into center-led categories and regional operating teams.

The Associate Director of Global Operations Sourcing has direct responsibility for a portfolio of categories (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Custom Intermediates, or Non-Sterile External Manufacturing, or Sterile External Manufacturing) and supplier relationships that are Global or International in nature. Indirectly responsible for Local and Regional categories. In collaboration with stakeholders and regional procurement professionals, creates and implements 1 / 3 / 5 years strategic sourcing strategies.

Actively being engaged in the development and implementation of procurement strategy, Global Category Management, contract management, risk management, stakeholder management, and supplier value management. They will develop and maintain strong relationships with key leaders and stakeholders, namely External Manufacturing, Quality / Regulatory, Finance, Legal, and Shared Business Services, and other corporate functions.

Primary activities include, but are not limited to :

Global Category Management : Leads Global Category Management teams to develop and implement strategic source plans for one or more categories of spend.

Sourcing Management : Uses the Sourcing Management Process to manage assurance of supply, quality, service, cost, innovation and regulatory compliance within Global or International category of spend, resulting in breakthrough strategies which optimize value and ensure appropriate risk management. Understands the Sourcing Management Process and how to apply required tools in the creation and implementation of source plans.

Proactive Cost Management : Achieves cost control, cost reduction, and cost containment targets, and adds value to area of expenditure through a strong total cost orientation.

Market Knowledge and Insight : Uses thorough market knowledge and data analysis to gain critical insights that drive the selection of Sourcing Strategies and continuous improvement activities.

Technical Expertise : Working knowledge of chemical, pharmaceutical; biopharmaceutical processing techniques and capabilities. Working knowledge of quality, safety and compliance requirements associated with chemical, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical processing. Working knowledge of Lean / Six Sigma process aimed to improve productivity, yields, cycle times, quality and compliance.

Expertise and practical experience in project management Supplier Management and Conditioning : Responsible for building relationships with Global, International and Enterprise suppliers and managing supplier performance against business requirements using proven processes; ensures adequate inclusion of diversity suppliers in Request for Procurement (RFPs) and contracts as applicable. Supports major regional supplier relationships.

Stakeholder Management and Business Sponsorship : Ensures appropriate stakeholders are identified and managed through stakeholder matrix. Engages assigned stakeholders and partners with them to define and meet or exceed business requirements and identify and manage profit plan savings targets. Understands strategic business requirements at 1-3-5 years horizon.

Contract Negotiation and Management : Once strategy is approved, personally leads the sourcing including Request for X (RFX), RFP, negotiations and contracting for Global and International categories to put in place the right suppliers. Negotiates at tactical and strategic levels to develop local, regional, global company contracts.

People Management : May be responsible for selection, development, retention and performance management of one or more procurement analysts.

Qualifications and Experience

Education Minimum Requirement :

Bachelor's Degree and advanced degree in an engineering, chemistry, biology, or business administration.

Required Experience and Skills :

Minimum five years of Procurement Experience or similar business experience within the pharmaceutical industry.

Minimum five years of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) manufacturing support within the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Preferred Experience and Skills :

Preference in strong technical skills and understanding of GMP manufacturing environment, various technologies, costing, supply chain understanding and operational management.

Negotiations, stakeholder management, financial acumen.

Direct experience in a GMP manufacturing environment and deep understanding of technology complexity vs cost.

Required Skills :

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Adaptability, Animal Vaccination, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceuticals, Contract Management, Cost Controls, Cost Management, Decision Making, Financial Acumen, GMP Compliance, Inventory Control Management, Logistics, Logistics Management, Management Process, Packaging Procurement, People Management, Procurement Management, Procurement Strategies, Production Planning, Project Procurement Management, Relationship Building, Risk Management, Sourcing and Procurement {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills :

The salary range for this role is $126,500.00 - $199,100.00. 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.

Employee Status : Regular

Relocation : No

VISA Sponsorship : No

Travel Requirements : 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements : Hybrid

Shift : Not Indicated

Valid Driving License : No

Hazardous Material(s) : n / a

Job Posting End Date : 11 / 14 / 2025

Requisition ID : R371635