Merck & Co, Inc

Director, Relationship Management - Clinical Operations, Hybrid

Merck & Co, Inc$173K — $272K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of clinical trial experience
  • Proven partner/supplier management experience
  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
  • Ability to work independently and make sound decisions

Responsibilities

  • Manage supplier portfolio and serve as primary contact for stakeholders
  • Coordinate Operational and Executive Meetings for partnerships
  • Establish and monitor KPIs and SLAs for suppliers
  • Proactively oversee key performance metrics
  • Anticipate stakeholder needs and guide suppliers on service development
  • Evaluate new supplier strategies and market capabilities
  • Lead process improvements and mentor team members

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and families
  • 401(k) retirement benefits
  • Paid holidays and vacation
  • Compassionate and sick days
  • Annual bonuses and long-term incentives (if applicable)
Full Job Description

Job Description

Responsible for managing external vendor(s)/partner(s) who provide resources and services that are critical to the success of Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) and Global Clinical Development (GCD) objectives and deliverables. The incumbent is expected to have strong business acumen, excellent change management and leadership skills.

Responsible for the management and oversight of Interactive Response Technology (IRT) and Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM) suppliers to support clinical trial execution.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Supplier Portfolio Management:

• Provides portfolio oversight of vendor partner(s) and serves as the primary point of contact with the supplier and internal stakeholders.

• Manages supplier portfolio and serves as the primary point-of-contact to manage issue escalations and resolution with internal and external stakeholders.

• Plans, coordinates and executes Operational and Executive Meetings for strategic partnerships. Ensures timely follow up from those meetings.

• Established supplier KPIs and SLAs and to enable effective portfolio management

• Proactively monitors and manages key performance metrics across the assigned portfolio of partners to continuously evaluate performance. Ensures issues are identified and managed through to resolution in a timely manner and deliverables are met as required.

Sourcing Strategy:

• Anticipates future internal stakeholder needs and actively collaborates with and provides guidance to vendor(s)/partner(s) to assure new capabilities and services are developed to meet those identified needs.

• Evaluates and advises clinical teams on strategy of adding a new supplier to categories as well as vendor and market capabilities and prior performance.

• Translates business needs into the Request for Proposal (RFP) specifications

• Collaborates with Research & Development Procurement to identify external vendor/partner candidates who can deliver the required services/resources for studies across the entire Clinical Development portfolio. Active participant in the Sourcing Management Process as applicable.

Process & People Management

• Anticipates internal/external business challenges and enables process improvements to address those challenges.

• Identify and drive process improvement or other initiatives to meet business needs

• May plan and lead the transition activities related to managing an existing supplier into our Company's systems due to a joint venture or acquisition.

• Mentor junior and new team member. May have direct management responsibility

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Required Experience and Skills:

• 10+ years of clinical trial experience.

• Proven partner/supplier management experience.

• Must demonstrate excellent collaboration and highly effective communication skills to clearly articulate needs, effectively negotiate, and facilitate issue resolution across organizational levels.

• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.

• Demonstrated strong ability to work independently, critical thinking and demonstrate sound and timely decision making

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelors or equivalent from an accredited university in Business, Technical, or Life Sciences.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Proven leadership skills with ability to create and lead high performance teams and/or matrix organization

• Proven management experience or equivalent

clinicaltrialjobs

Required Skills:

Clinical Decision Making, Clinical Development, Clinical Technology, Clinical Trial Management, Clinical Trials, Conflict Resolution, Innovative Solutions, International Cultural Awareness, Issue Management, Life Science, Portfolio Management, Project Management, Resource Management, Supplier Relationship Management

Preferred Skills:

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Current Employees apply

Current Contingent Workers apply

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 if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

The salary range for this role is

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

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 .

You can apply for this role through (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:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

07/29/2026

*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.

Explore Career Paths

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.

Innovate and Lead

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.

Develop Your Skills

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.

Join Our Team

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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