Merck & Co, Inc

Assoc. Dir , Product Manager, Disease Biology & PharmTox

Merck & Co, Inc$142K — $224K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in scientific software development or pharmaceutical sciences
  • Strong understanding of preclinical development processes
  • Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams in product management
  • Solid grasp of Agile practices and SDLC in GxP environments
  • Exceptional communication skills across science, engineering, and business
  • Proficient with product and UX tools, able to create documentation and visuals
  • Working knowledge of data models and information architecture in drug discovery

Responsibilities

  • Partner with R&D and Business Technology to define product vision and strategy
  • Conduct user research to understand needs of scientists and lab operations
  • Map processes to identify pain points and opportunities for automation
  • Drive prototyping and solution discovery with cross-functional teams
  • Manage product backlog, prioritize features, and plan releases
  • Manage scientific applications, assess risks, and handle vendor relationships
  • Analyze engagement metrics and promote product capabilities to stakeholders

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative product space
  • Collaborative environment with cross-functional teams
  • Chance to contribute to advancements in drug discovery and development
  • Engagement with cutting-edge AI/ML technologies
  • Opportunity for professional growth and leadership development
Full Job Description
Job Description

We are seeking a Product Manager to join the RaDS Product organization, reporting to the Lead of the Disease Biology & PharmTox Product Line. The ideal candidate will partner closely with key business stakeholders, the product, engineering, data science, and other IT teams, to define and deliver high-impact digital solutions for preclinical research.

The successful candidate will drive product strategy and execution across applications supporting in vitro screening and bioassays, as well as in vivo study data management, from animal management through safety assessment, ensuring integrated, scalable, and high-quality data & technology capabilities that accelerate drug discovery and development.

Primary Responsibilities:
  • Partner closely with R&D scientists and Business Technology Partners to own, set, and communicate the product vision, strategy, and outcome roadmap, aligned with strategic priorities
  • Deeply understand user needs (scientists, data scientists, lab operations) through interviews, shadowing, and usage analytics
  • Map processes and information architecture to identify pain points and automation opportunities
  • Define clear problem statements, requirements, and success metrics and utilize these artifacts author Product Requirements Document
  • Drive solution discovery and rapid prototyping with cross-functional teams to evaluate value, usability, feasibility, and business viability
  • Prioritize features and trade-offs using impact, effort, and risk frameworks; manage backlog and release planning
  • Manage scientific applications and lead squads to build user-friendly scientific data and technology products; handle risk assessment and vendor engagement as needed
  • Evaluate internal and external tools; Manage vendor relationships to influence roadmaps and integrate with internal systems and the data lake
  • Partner with Product Tech leads/Engineering leads to ensure seamless integration across the ecosystem and upstream/downstream systems
  • Apply industry standards and ontologies to develop FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) applications, advancing in silico models and AI/ML approaches for drug discovery
  • Create and maintain documentation including SDLC deliverables (GxP and non-GxP), guidelines, SOPs, training materials, and user communications
  • Support regulatory audits and inspections by collaborating with stakeholders and Quality to provide documentation and respond to inquiries
  • Coach teams to adopt a customer-centered product mindset; proactively remove roadblocks and escalate issues to maintain momentum
  • Drive adoption using metrics and user feedback; analyze engagement, create reports/visualizations, and run user groups to inform continuous improvement
  • Promote available capabilities to stakeholders, fostering collaboration and integration across teams to avoid silos
  • Develop a cohesive strategy to manage an orthogonal suite of products and applications, maximizing impact while reducing costs and redundancy
  • Diligently manage total cost of ownership
  • Monitor the competitive landscape, standards, and emerging technologies in scientific software and data platforms
  • Use data-driven insights (synthesized from research, observations, and usage) to inform decisions and refine strategy


Skill sets:
  • 5+ years of experience in scientific software development, pharmaceutical sciences, target discovery, or scientific data management
  • Strong understanding of preclinical development domain and processes
  • Proven experience leading multidisciplinary squads to launch and manage software products; translate business needs into user stories and product requirements
  • Experience with scientific workflows (COTS, in-house, open source); ability to assess, integrate, and scale them
  • Solid grasp of SDLC and Agile practices; comfortable operating in GxP-regulated environments
  • Exceptional communicator who bridges science, engineering, and business; customer-centric and effective in a matrixed organization
  • Proficient with product and UX tooling (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Mural, Figma, Balsamiq); capable of producing clear documentation and visuals
  • Working knowledge of data models, ontologies, and information architecture in drug discovery
  • Proven ability to work independently and asynchronously across time zones, with excellent cross-cultural and organizational communication skills
  • Highly organized, with strong project and stakeholder management capabilities
  • Demonstrated ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels, balancing long-term product vision with near-term delivery


Education Minimum Requirement:
  • M.A./M.S. with 3+ years, or B.A./B.S. with 5+ years of experience in a scientific or technical discipline such as biology, pharmaceutical sciences, bioinformatics, computer science, biostatistics, biomedical engineering, or chemistry


Preferred Experience and Skills:
  • Experience as a scientist, Informatics Analyst or IT analyst in a drug discovery or development environment, specifically pre-clinical development area
  • Experience using AI-powered product tools (e.g., for backlog refinement, requirements generation, user insights synthesis, prototyping)
  • Familiarity with integrating AI-enabled tools into scientific workflows (e.g., data annotation, AI driven data entry)
  • Ability to define and measure value for AI-driven features (e.g., accuracy, explainability, user trust, adoption)
  • Experience supervising and mentoring team members
  • Proficiency with data analytics/mining tools (e.g., R, Python)
  • Familiarity with structured, relational databases and data integration.
  • Skill in data visualization and dashboards with the ability to craft compelling data narratives (e.g. PowerBI)
  • Experience working in Agile development environments


Required Skills:
Asset Management, Benefits Management, Business Translations, Client-Centric, Data Insights, Data Science, Drug Discovery Process, Emerging Technologies, Information Architectures, Job Descriptions, Management System Development, Product Management, Requirements Management, Scientific Data Management, Scientific Software, Scientific Software Development, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, System Designs, Vendor Management

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
07/24/2026
*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.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

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Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

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Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

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With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

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Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

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Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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