Senior Specialist, Procurement

Job Description Senior Specialist, Procurement Direct Materials Procurement is responsible for the development and implementation of all supplier management strategies and initiatives, improving supply chain resiliency and redundancy, and driving improvements in cost, supplier performance and working capital, in support of manufacturing and supply of our company products. Strategic Supplier Management is a rigorous, data-driven methodology which relies upon high quality market intelligence for suppliers, supply markets and supply chains, as well as strategic analysis and reporting of internal business requirements, supplier performance, spend and savings data. The candidate will actively engage in the interphase between Research and Manufacturing by providing supporting strategic sourcing solutions during the development of new Pipeline Products. General Responsibilities: Responsible to collect and present market trends and dynamics, competitive environment and industry best practices to assist in the creation of the sourcing strategy especially focused on the small molecule areas-solvents, raw materials, reagents, API starting materials and intermediates. Conduct detailed market analyses looking at facts and data with the objective of providing deep and meaningful insights Implement procurement strategies and execute tactical procurement processes. Vendor Management: Identify, evaluate, and support relationships with contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) and suppliers. Negotiation & Contracting: Negotiate pricing, supplier contracts, and service agreements to control costs and secure favorable terms. Risk Mitigation: Implement strategies to prevent supply chain disruptions. Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with R&D, manufacturing, operations, analytical, quality, and regulatory affairs teams to align sourcing with business needs. Compliance: Ensure all potential suppliers comply with appropriate EHS, ISO and GMP expectations for a Multi-National Pharma Company Category Team Membership – To be an active member of one or more category teams using the techniques and content created in above as input in the creation of breakthrough strategies delivering cost reduction targets. Sharing of Learnings – The candidate will be expected to generate high-quality work and to share and transfer this to colleagues throughout Global Supplier Management Group (GSMG) Education Minimum Requirement: BS or MS degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or Multi Year Long Sourcing Experience in Small Molecule Therapeutics Area Required Experience and Skills: Minimum 5+ years of relevant work experience in the Innovative pharmaceutical industry. Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills including ability to make clear and concise presentations, sensitivity to cultural differences in communication. Ability to influence external partners to drive meaningful outcomes. Excellent project management skills Ability to work independently with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability to deal with ambiguous and dynamic situations. Required Skills: Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Benchmarking, Contract Management, Contract Negotiations, Cost Reduction Initiatives, Data Analytics, Driving Continuous Improvement, Financial Acumen, Influencing Skills, Mitigated Risks, Procurement, Procurement Management, Production Planning, Project Management Support, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Risk Management and Mitigation, Risk Mitigation Strategies, Strategic Procurement, Supplier Management, Supplier Negotiations, Supplier Relationship Management, Supplier Selection {+ 2 more} Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE 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: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): Job Posting End Date: 09/17/2026 *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.