Job Description
The Associate Director - Advanced Strategy & Procurement, Large Molecule Pipeline supports the pipeline products as they hand off from our Research & Development Division to our Manufacturing Division and supports the launch readiness strategy. The Associate Director will be actively engaged in the interphase between our Research & Development Division and our Manufacturing Division by providing supporting strategic sourcing solutions during the evolution of new Pipeline products and is accountable for driving critical elements of strategy design, decision‑making, and implementation.
The Associate Director will be responsible for collecting, synthesize, and current market trends and dynamics, competitive environment, supplier landscape, and industry best practices to inform and shape sourcing strategies. This role will lead the development and refinement of end‑to‑end sourcing strategies and clearly communicate recommendations to senior stakeholders.
The Associate Director will set, collaboratively along with other key functions, to define and execute the overall sourcing strategy and ensure seamless implementation across all modalities until launch + 2 years. Responsibilities include leading option evaluations, assessing sourcing risks and mitigation plans, evaluating dual‑sourcing options, driving upstream material and components harmonization for both internally and externally manufactured pipeline products.
The Associate Director will closely work with Global Operations Sourcing to ensure alignment of strategy and execution, Research and Development Sourcing & Procurement for handoff of pipeline projects and External Manufacturing for strategy generation and implementation.
The Associate Director will liaise with our Research & Development Division, and our Manufacturing Division, External Manufacturing, Supplier Development and Performance Management group, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance and other critical functions, and will be representing Direct Materials Procurement in key milestone-setting and review committees and regularly presenting updates, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.
Primary activities include, but are not limited to:
Leadership
As a key leader of category, accountable for development and implementation of robust sourcing strategies that link to core business deliverables while leveraging the marketplace and supplier community.
Delivers exemplary results and sponsorship and creating/leading cross-functional teams.
Upon receiving approval for sourcing strategies, oversee/execute sourcing levers (including but not limited to RFx, negotiations, contracting activities).
Procurement Leadership
Deliver functional leadership, strategy, and policy input to help build a high‑performance engagement model with the business.
Partner with stakeholders outside of Procurement to ensure alignment to objectives, timelines, and risk tolerance and translate business, technical, and supply chain requirements into clear sourcing roadmaps, options, and recommendations.
Collaborate with partner groups to assess early Bill of Material for risks, identify materials and components that require additional sourcing, and implement strategies to mitigate risks. Be knowledgeable of supplier negotiations, contractual terms, financial acumen and make versus buy analysis.
Utilize and champion sourcing management as a structured, rigorous process, ensuring appropriate documentation, compliance, and transparency.
Drive strategic projects such as portfolio harmonization, dual sourcing implementation, and cost to serve optimization
Sourcing Management
Strategy Development/Implementation
Drive / Create breakthrough strategies that deliver quick wins and sustainable business value.
Proactively identify and promote innovation opportunities from suppliers and the external market that can benefit pipeline products and manufacturing strategies.
Change Management
Apply high‑quality change management practices with customers and stakeholders, helping to design and implement sustainable processes and ways of working.
Be a role model for our Company Leadership Standards, demonstrating accountability, inclusion, and enterprise thinking.
Continuous Improvement
Ensure that every supplier relationship is established with an intent of continuous improvement, and support or lead the measurement and review process to ensure delivery of expectations.
Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across sourcing processes, tools, and analytics to improve speed, quality, and decision‑making.
Stakeholder Management
Work in a way that positively engages and influences business colleagues using strong problem‑solving, transparency, and proactive communication.
Build and maintain a sourcing management pipeline, ensuring stakeholder alignment, prioritization, and adherence to supply management processes.
Actively support, both within our Company as well as expanding relationships and spend with Suppliers.
Business requirements/cost management focus
Must have keen insight and understanding of business requirements on a 1/3/5 year horizon, and partners GP and business peers to drive cost reductions.
Implement Supplier Value Management with the key suppliers in this category to foster innovation, manage supplier performance, establish appropriate governance model, and ensure continuous improvement.
Education Minimum Requirement:
Required Experience and Skills:
Minimum of seven years' experience in the Pharma Industry.
Minimum of two years' experience in procurement, supply management or related areas.
Experience with product development and commercialization.
Experience with CMO commercialization and strategy development.
Negotiations, stakeholder management, financial acumen.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Preference in strong technical skills and understanding of process development needs and challenges, understanding the GMP manufacturing environment, various technologies, costing, supply chain and operational management.
Direct experience in a GMP manufacturing environment and deep understanding of technology complexity vs cost
Experience with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., dashboards) to support decision making is a plus.
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Business Translations, Commercial Contract Negotiations, Cost Management, Data Analytics, Driving Continuous Improvement, Functional Leadership, Global Sourcing Strategies, Governance Model Design, Inventory Control Management, Leadership, Market Trends, Production Planning, Raw Material Sourcing, Results-Oriented, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Negotiations, Strategic Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Strategic Thinking, Supply Chain Processes, Supply Change Management, Supply Management, Vendor Management
Preferred Skills:
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US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
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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:
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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.
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The salary range for this role is
$129,000.00 - $203,100.00
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.
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
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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:
25%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
N/A
Job Posting End Date:
07/21/2026