Associate Director, Supply Chain Management

MSD; Haarlem; On-site; EUR 111,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD is seeking an Associate Director of Supply Chain Management to lead end-to-end execution of new product launches in major markets. You will guide cross-functional teams, develop market launch plans, and mitigate launch risks while transitioning products to sustaining owners.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Value Chain, Development, and Commercial teams, with a focus on on-time launches and continuous improvement across GLP processes.

Qualifications

• Required: Seven (7) or more years of experience in supply chain, launch planning, and/or manufacturing operations within pharma/biotech.
• Prior project management experience in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong communication skills with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in uncertain environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional/divisional launch teams from preparation through hypercare.
• Align launch plans with GFLS and Supply Chain Design requirements.
• Develop launch supply scenarios and translate into actionable options.
• Identify launch risks and drive mitigations.
• Contribute to business continuity planning with partners.
• Support Global Event Management for supply interruptions.

Skills

Launch Management

Supply Chain

Risk Management

Strategic Thinking

Cross-Functional Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Engineering/Science or related business field

Advanced Degree

Tools

SAP

Rapid Response/Kinaxis

Maestro

Job description

Job Description

Supply Chain Management (SCM) coordinates all aspects of supply through planning, sourcing, manufacturing, inventory management, packaging, and delivery. In partnership with Marketing, Finance, and Manufacturing, we build robust demand and supply plans to ensure our life-changing products reach the right customer, at the right place, and at the right time.

As a member of the Global Launch Planning (GLP) department, the Associate Director, Supply Chain Management is accountable for the end-to-end execution of assigned new product launches in first major markets. Reporting to the Director, Supply Chain Management – Global Launch Planning, you will lead cross-functional/divisional launch teams, develop and maintain market launch plans for your assigned portfolio, identify and mitigate launch risks, and carry your products through hypercare to a formal transition to sustaining owners. This is an individual contributor role with no direct people management responsibility; leadership is exercised through influence across a global matrix.

Key Responsibilities

Launch Execution and Risk Management

• Lead cross-functional/divisional launch teams for assigned products, from launch preparation through hypercare, and execute a formal, documented transition to designated sustaining owners.

• Partner with Value Chain Management to ensure assigned launch plans align with the Global Filing and Launch Strategy (GFLS) and Supply Chain Design requirements.

• Develop launch supply scenarios in collaboration with Commercial, E2E Planning, and Operations Research modeling teams; translate scenarios into clear options and recommendations for decision-makers.

• Identify risks to launch and ongoing supply, develop mitigations, and drive resolution within the working team; elevate through appropriate governance forums with clear options and recommendations.

• Contribute to business continuity planning for assigned products in collaboration with technology, manufacturing sites, procurement, regulatory, and commercial partners.

• Support cross-functional Global Event Management activities for new product supply interruptions, minimizing impact to supply, discard, revenue, and Company reputation.

Capability Building and Continuous Improvement

• Apply and improve GLP standard work, launch processes, and systems to enable on-time launches and repeatable, high-performing execution.

• Track and report process and operational metrics for assigned products; surface performance improvement opportunities to the Director and the GLP team.

• Lead or contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, Communities of Practice, and the After-Action Review (AAR) process.

• Provide coaching, onboarding support, and knowledge sharing to launch planners and rotational/gig participants; mentor peers without formal reporting responsibility.

Stakeholder Engagement and Alignment

• Build and maintain cross-enterprise stakeholder relationships across Human Health, Value Chain Management, Development and Commercialization Teams (DCT), Regional Supply Chain Management, New Product Introduction, External Manufacturing, and Supply Sites.

• Communicate clearly in ambiguous and uncertain conditions, and elevate through appropriate governance channels to enable timely business decisions.

• Support New Product S&OP for assigned products in collaboration with Global Human Health.

• Ensure visibility of assigned new products in supply governance forums including GLP Tier 4 and Global Supply Review; prepare content and represent assigned products at elevated tiers as directed.

Education

• Required | Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Science related or other Business-related discipline.

• Preferred | Advanced Degree.

Experience | Skills | Knowledge

Required

• Seven (7) or more years of experience in supply chain, launch planning, and/or manufacturing operations within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.

• Prior project management experience in a cross-functional/cross-divisional environment.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive ownership and accountability without direct authority.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex, ambiguous information clearly to senior stakeholders.

• Ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities, work in an environment of uncertainty, and develop proactive risk-mitigation plans.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize data into informed recommendations.

• Continuous improvement/Lean mindset, with the ability to apply and improve standard work.

• Proactive mindset to anticipate and solve problems.

• Ability to work effectively across cultures and global networks.

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience in launch management or new product introduction.

• Working knowledge of advanced planning systems and ERPs (e.g., SAP, Rapid Response/Kinaxis, Maestro).

• Certifications: APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) or equivalent supply chain certification; Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

• Supply chain design, operations, risk management, and business/financial acumen.

Required Skills:

Business Alignment, Competency Development, Demand Management, Launch Management, Logistics Management, Materials Requirements Planning (MRP), Order Management, Product Distribution, Production Planning, Product Launch Management, Risk Avoidance, Risk Management, Strategic Thinking, Supply Chain Processes, Supply Chain Risk Management, Value Chain

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

The salary range for this role is

$129,000.00 - $203,100.00

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