Merck & Co, Inc

Executive Director, Procurement

Merck & Co, Inc$231K — $365K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering and/or life sciences required.
  • Graduate degree or MBA preferred.
  • 10 years of procurement and business management experience.
  • Demonstrated executive presence with strong communication skills.
  • Experience in a R&D environment with knowledge of procurement categories.

Responsibilities

  • Lead a procurement team managing over $1.5 Billion in spend annually.
  • Develop and implement a global procurement and sourcing strategy.
  • Build and manage a core team of procurement professionals.
  • Facilitate talent management and succession planning efforts.
  • Enhance organizational culture focused on customer needs and results.
  • Foster relationships within the business stakeholder community and supplier network.
  • Champion sustainability initiatives across procurement practices.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision healthcare for employees and their families.
  • Retirement benefits including a 401(k) plan.
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and sick days.
  • Opportunity for annual bonus and long-term incentives.
  • Comprehensive health insurance options.
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Executive Director leads a procurement team responsible for providing sourcing & supplier management support across Discovery, Pre-Clinical & Translational Medicine and Development Sciences & Clinical Supply, Research and Development Division (R&D).

The Executive Director will lead the development of procurement strategy, guiding and implementing global category management while supporting business stakeholders in achieving operational delivery and performance through the supplier base.  The incumbent will develop and maintain strong relationships with key executive business leaders across R&D and serve as a bridge to enable analytical and process tech transfers to our Manufacturing Division.

Primary activities include, but are not limited to: 

  • Leadership – As a key leader of a category of spend (exceeding $1.5 Billion annually), responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategy and ensuring alignment, compliance and delivery of required business performance. 

  • Organizational Development – Build a core team of procurement professionals who have direct responsibility for sourcing of projects. Responsibility includes effective talent management, proactively building a recruitment bench & succession planning.  

  • Change Management – Adopt high quality change practices with customers and stakeholders, building and implementing an organizational culture which is customer focused, results driven and sustainable.  Be a personal exemplar of our company's Enterprise Leadership Skills.  

  • Performance – Deliver ongoing value capture targets as required, as well as meeting critical business requirements for AQSCI.   

  • Relationships – Build outstanding relationships with the business stakeholder community, fellow procurement and finance professionals and our company's supplier network.

  • Global – Ensure that the approach adopted is aligned with and supports our company's global procurement strategy and Global Category Management and Ways of Working.

  • Sustainability – Actively support sustainability efforts, which include but are not limited to expanding engagement with new suppliers to provide opportunities for economic inclusion and championing environmental sustainability goals across Scopes 1, 2 and 3.

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree required in engineering and/or life sciences. 

  • Graduate degree and MBA preferred. 

Required Experience and Skills:

  • 10 years procurement and business management experience. 

  • Demonstrated executive presence

  • Strong communication skills and ability to drive change in an environment of scientific innovation and ambiguity. 

Preferred Experience and Skills:

  • Technical – Broad base of core pharma R&D, Research and Direct procurement category knowledge preferred, including specific R&D experience in small and large molecule pipeline portfolio covering early discovery & development phase, pharmaceutical sciences as well as pre-clinical development segments.  

Required Skills:

Clinical Supply Chain Management, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Commercial Contract Negotiations, Cultural Awareness, Customer-Oriented, Global Team Management, Global Travel Management, Governance Management, IT Project Leadership, Leadership, Life Science, Organizational Culture, Organizational Development (OD), Pharmaceutical Sciences, Procurement, Procurement Consulting, Procurement Strategies, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Procurement Planning, Succession Planning, Supplier Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Supply Chain Metrics, Supply Chain Processes, Sustainability Initiatives {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

The salary range for this role is

$231,900.00 - $365,000.00

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

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:

06/5/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe 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.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Engage with us through our careers blog and by participating in networking events and employment fairs. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and the latest news tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Merck & Co, Inc. Join us in our mission to improve health and wellness around the world.
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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