Operations Excellence Associate

Job Description The Operations Excellence Associate II plays a critical role in enabling efficient, compliant, and high-quality execution of business operations and stakeholder engagement activities. Acting as a trusted operational partner to internal teams and external stakeholders, the role ensures seamless coordination of business events, contracting, procurement, and administrative processes, supporting the effective operation of the organization. Working in a highly collaborative environment, the incumbent leverages strong organizational, digital, and problem-solving capabilities to deliver operational excellence and an exceptional stakeholder experience. Key Responsibilities: Business Operations & Administrative Support Coordinate and execute end-to-end business event activities in compliance with company policies, SOPs, and applicable regulations. Create and manage events through approved systems and platforms. Support contracting processes by ensuring timely preparation, execution, tracking, and archiving of agreements and associated documentation. Initiate shopping carts, and purchase orders, while ensuring accuracy and compliance with internal procedures. Coordinate with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure timely receipt and processing of invoices and supporting documentation. Collaborate with approved travel providers to support business travel arrangements as required. Maintain accurate operational records and documentation in accordance with company policies and audit requirements. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Proactively resolve operational issues and escalate risks appropriately to ensure business continuity. Contribute to process improvement initiatives and implementation of best practices. Support the development and documentation of efficient workflows and operational procedures. Stakeholder Partnership Build strong collaborative relationships with internal business partners and external vendors. Provide responsive, customer-focused support and guidance on operational processes and requirements. Anticipate stakeholder needs and proactively address potential challenges. Foster a culture of partnership, accountability, and effective communication. Compliance & Risk Management Ensure all activities are executed in accordance with company policies, SOPs, and compliance requirements. Support internal and external audits by preparing, maintaining, and providing required documentation. Identify potential compliance risks, process gaps, or documentation issues and escalate appropriately. Promote a culture of integrity, quality, and accountability. Digital & Data Excellence Effectively utilize enterprise systems, digital platforms, and automation solutions to support operational execution and business priorities. Maintain high standards of data quality, documentation accuracy, and process integrity across all operational activities. Generate, track, and analyze operational metrics and reports to support informed decision-making. Embrace emerging technologies and continuously seek opportunities to simplify, standardize, and optimize ways of working through innovative digital solutions. Qualification & Experience: Required Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. 2-4 years of experience in administrative operations, business support, event management, procurement, contracting, or similar operational roles. Strong organizational and project coordination skills. Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Greek and English. Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Preferred Experience working in the pharma industry or in a highly regulated industry. Experience with procurement, contracting, event management, or financial systems. Experience supporting cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders. Familiarity with AI-enabled productivity tools (including Copilot), and workflow automation solutions. We offer: Multinational environment in a leading pharma company with an inclusive work culture Multiple opportunities to develop your career & advance your skills Flexible working arrangements Competitive compensation & benefits scheme We welcome all dimensions of diversity as we believe it drives excellence and innovation and it fuels our purpose to save and improve lives. Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as saving and improving lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. A place where you can contribute with other like-minded colleagues to pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is always evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us and start making your impact today. Required Skills: Critical Thinking, Database Management, Data Entry, Document Management, Event Planning, Facility Management, Office Applications, Operating Office Equipment, Process Improvements, Processing Expense Reports, Reporting and Analysis, Scheduling, Travel Coordination, Vendor Management, Visa Processing 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: <p style="text-align: