Merck & Co, Inc

Executive Director, Network Strategy Execution and Product Source Management

Merck & Co, Inc$231K — $365K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or supply chain
  • Experience leading global teams in matrix environments
  • Deep understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes
  • Strong financial and business acumen
  • Excellent communication and executive-level stakeholder management skills

Responsibilities

  • Set strategic direction for product source management and network execution
  • Lead execution of rationalization strategies and global source changes
  • Translate business objectives into actionable plans and priorities
  • Oversee integrated portfolio of network actions and projects
  • Serve as primary escalation point for site leaders

Benefits

  • Hybrid work arrangements available
  • Opportunity for professional development and growth
  • Engagement in a culture of accountability and inclusion
  • Access to comprehensive health and wellness programs
  • Support for ongoing education and skill enhancement
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Executive Director, Network Strategy Execution (NS&E) and Product Source Management is responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading execution of global product source changes and network rationalization activities, where applicable. This role ensures delivery of business priorities, execution excellence, and alignment across a complex, global manufacturing network.

The Executive Director operates in a managerial capacity, overseeing a team of Directors and their respective teams to manage a portfolio of strategic sourcing change and network execution initiatives. This role partners closely with Manufacturing Operating Unit leaders, site leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Technical, Finance, Global Engineering Services and other functions to ensure integrated execution and decision-making.

The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing and enterprise operations, strong strategic and operational leadership, and the ability to drive accountability across the organization. The role requires compliance with company and divisional policies, ethical business practices, and applicable laws and regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership
  • Set the strategic direction for the product source management and network execution portfolio within NS&E.
  • Lead execution of network rationalization strategies and global product source change aligned to enterprise and divisional priorities.
  • Translate business objectives into actionable portfolio plans, priorities, and performance expectations.
  • Ensure the organization remains focused on execution excellence, speed, quality, and business impact.


People Leadership and Development
  • Lead, coach, and develop the organization.
  • Build a strong leadership pipeline by actively developing current and future leaders across the organization.
  • Provide regular feedback, coaching, mentoring, and career development support to direct and indirect reports.
  • Create meaningful growth opportunities through stretch assignments, succession planning, and role development.
  • Foster a culture of learning, accountability, collaboration, and inclusion.
  • Assess organizational capability gaps and implement development plans to strengthen team effectiveness.
  • Drive employee engagement and create an environment where people feel empowered, supported, and challenged to perform at their best.
  • Ensure talent management processes are effectively used to recruit, retain, develop, and advance high-potential employees.


Portfolio and Program Oversight
  • Oversee the integrated portfolio of network actions and global source change projects across the operating area.
  • Ensure plans remain on track, risks are proactively managed, and dependencies are effectively coordinated across projects.
  • Establish clear governance, reporting, and escalation mechanisms to support decision-making and execution.
  • Ensure lessons learned are captured and applied across the portfolio to improve future performance.


Cross-Functional Partnership and Stakeholder Management
  • Serve as a senior leader and primary escalation point for Operating Unit leaders and impacted site leaders.
  • Build strong partnerships across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Technical, Finance, and related functions.
  • Provide regular updates to executive sponsors, senior leadership, and governance forums on project progress, risks, and decisions required.
  • Ensure transparent and effective communication across internal stakeholders to support alignment and action.


Business Case Development and Strategic Decision Support
  • Support and guide the development of business cases for network evaluations.
  • Evaluate strategic options using operational, financial, technical, and execution considerations.
  • Ensure recommendations are supported by robust analysis, sound judgment, and alignment with enterprise strategy.
  • Contribute to high-impact decisions affecting the long-term structure and performance of the manufacturing network.


Risk, Issue, and Performance Management
  • Proactively identify risks, issues, and constraints that may affect portfolio delivery or business objectives.
  • Drive rapid escalation, issue resolution, and mitigation planning for complex or high-impact problems.
  • Ensure performance metrics are defined, tracked, and used to drive accountability and improvement.
  • Maintain strong governance and disciplined execution across all team activities.


Process Ownership and Continuous Improvement
  • Serve as the process owner for key NS&E systems and business processes as assigned.
  • Ensure tier processes within NS&E are maintained, documented, understood, and followed.
  • Drive continuous improvement in execution methods, tools, governance, and organizational capability.
  • Promote standardization, efficiency, and best practice sharing across the team and broader network.


Compliance and Organizational Excellence
  • Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with company policies, divisional procedures, ethical business practices, and applicable laws and regulations.
  • Model strong leadership, sound judgment, and a commitment to operational excellence.
  • Reinforce a culture of accountability, respect, inclusion, and results-oriented execution.


Education
  • Bachelor's degree required
  • Master's degree preferred


Required Experience and Skills
  • 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in manufacturing, operations, network strategy, supply chain, product source management, or related functions
  • Significant experience leading senior managers, directors, or large global teams in a matrixed environment
  • Deep understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing, operations, and enterprise business processes
  • Proven ability to lead complex, multi-workstream strategic initiatives from planning through execution
  • Strong financial and business acumen, including the ability to evaluate tradeoffs and business impact
  • Demonstrated experience influencing senior leaders and driving alignment across cross-functional stakeholders
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and executive-level stakeholder management skills
  • Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and risk management capabilities
  • Demonstrated success in talent development, organizational leadership, and building high-performing teams
  • Ability to operate independently with broad enterprise perspective and sound judgment
  • Strong understanding of regulatory, quality, technical, and operational considerations in pharmaceutical manufacturing


Preferred Experience and Skills
  • Background in Engineering, or a related discipline preferred
  • Advanced degree preferred
  • Experience in manufacturing network strategy, source changes, or site rationalization
  • Experience in pharmaceutical or life sciences manufacturing leadership roles


Required Skills:
Budget Development, Business Case Development, Business Decisions, Corporate Ethics, Creativity, Decision Making, Enterprise Operations, Feasibility Studies, Negotiation, Organizational Capability, People Leadership, Performance Monitoring, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Portfolio Management, Professional Integrity, Risk Management, Schedule Management, Stakeholder Communications, Stakeholder Management, Status Reporting, Strategic Leadership, Subcontract Management, Team Effectiveness, Technical Problem-Solving, Vision Casting

Preferred Skills:

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Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:
06/25/2026
*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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