Merck & Co, Inc

Specialist, Channel Contracts and Communications

Merck & Co, Inc$87K — $137K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3-5 years of experience in contract or agreement management
  • Strong communication skills with attention to detail
  • Experience in drafting and organizing business agreements
  • Ability to manage competing priorities effectively
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite

Responsibilities

  • Develop and distribute channel partner communications including promotions and updates
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to verify information before communication deployment
  • Maintain the channel content platforms ensuring accuracy and consistency
  • Draft and manage channel partner agreements across their lifecycle
  • Track contract terms and notify teams of renewals and expirations

Benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements with a hybrid model
  • Minimal travel requirements
  • Opportunity to work within a supportive team environment
Full Job Description
Job Description

Position Summary:

The U.S. Channel Contracts & Communication Specialist is a highly tactical individual contributor responsible for two core functions: (1) managing the drafting, coordination, and administration of channel partner contract agreements and related obligations, and (2) driving strategic channel partner communications across Companion Animal, Equine, and Livestock portfolios

This role reports to the Associate Director of U.S. Channel Operations and partners closely with the U.S. Channel Operations and Engagement team, as well as cross-functional stakeholders across the U.S. Commercial organization.

This individual leads the development and distribution of coordinated channel communications, including promotions, announcements, pricing updates, and marketing materials, ensuring timely, accurate, and audience-appropriate delivery to channel partners. The role collaborates cross-functionally to gather, verify, and review information prior to deployment, while maintaining communication platforms and product specification resources and supporting channel-facing initiatives.

This role also leverages a strong understanding of channel partner contract terms to advise business stakeholders on communication requirements, obligations, and notice provisions, ensuring all external communications are compliant and aligned with contractual commitments.

In parallel, this role ensures channel partner agreements are drafted, organized, executed, and tracked with precision across the full contract lifecycle. The position also builds strong partnerships with National Account Managers (NAMs) and Field Activation Leads (FALs) to support channel engagement and execution of key business initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Channel Communications

- Lead the development and distribution of coordinated channel partner communications, including promotions, announcements, pricing updates, product specifications, and program notices.

- Collaborate cross-functionally with U.S. Commercial stakeholders to gather, verify, and approve information prior to internal and external communication deployment.

- Ensure communications are timely, accurate, and aligned with established standards, target audiences, and business objectives.

- Own and maintain the channel communication platform, Channel Content site, and Product Specifications site, ensuring content, collateral, and product information are current, accurate, and consistently managed.

- Identify and implement opportunities to enhance communication effectiveness and strengthen channel partner engagement.

Contract Administration

- Draft channel partner agreements, amendments, and supporting documentation, including exhibits and scopes of work, ensuring accuracy and alignment with business and legal requirements.

- Develop and maintain standardized agreement templates and supporting resources to improve consistency and efficiency.

- Create and refine contracting processes and tools, while identifying and implementing improvements to streamline workflows, reduce cycle times, and simplify execution.

- Manage the full contract lifecycle for channel partners, including initiation, execution, renewal, and termination.

- Track contract terms, renewal timelines, and key milestones; proactively communicate upcoming expirations and required actions.

- Maintain a centralized, organized repository of all partner agreements and related documentation.

- Ensure agreements are properly routed, executed, and accessible to relevant stakeholders.

- Identify and escalate contract discrepancies, compliance gaps, and risk areas.

- Advise business stakeholders on communication obligations, notice requirements, and contractual provisions, ensuring alignment between agreements and external communications.

- Support internal stakeholder enablement by providing guidance on contract processes, expectations, and key terminology.

General & Project Support

- Provide project support to U.S. Channel Operations team members to support execution of key business initiatives and priorities.

Required Experience:

- 3-5 years of professional experience in contract or agreement management

- Familiarity with agreement management systems, including electronic signature systems

- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated attention to detail

- Experience drafting, reviewing, and organizing business agreements or contracts

- Self-starter with a proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work

- Collaborative mindset with the ability to build effective partnerships across teams

- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously

- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Preferred Experience:

- Experience in contract administration, legal operations, or paralegal support

- Experience within animal health or a related industry

- Experience managing content within cloud-based communication platforms

- Content development or marketing writing experience

Required Education:

- Bachelor's degree required (business administration, agribusiness, communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, paralegal studies, or a related field preferred).

Travel & Location Requirements:
  • Candidate will report to either our Company's Lenexa, KS or Rahway, NJ office
  • Minimal travel required (


Required Skills:
Agribusiness, Agribusiness, Benchmarking, Business Administration, Business Initiatives, Business Process Analysis, Business Process Improvements, Business Requirements Management, Change Management, Channel Partner Management, Data Analysis, Developing Others, Information Technology Applications, Interpersonal Relationships, Legal Operations, Livestock Production, Manufacturing Automation, Operational Quality, Oral Communications, Policy Development, Problem Solving, Product Specifications, Project Management, Project Management Support, Public Relations (PR) {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:
07/24/2026
*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.

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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