2027 Future Talent Program - Global Supplier Management Group Indirect Procurement Marketing - Co-op

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is offering a Marketing Procurement Co-op in the Global Supplier Management Group, Rahway, NJ. The role focuses on strategic support for sourcing, supplier performance, and market analysis across Creative, Public Relations and Communications, Media, and Market Research portfolios.

You will work with cross-functional teams, develop procurement insights, and help drive cost reduction while learning about SAP-based financial reporting and category management in a global industry leader.

Qualifications

• Student in sophomore or junior level curriculum pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, marketing or related fields.
• Strong communication and collaboration across teams; ability to present clearly.

Responsibilities

• Support procurement objectives including product sourcing, cost reduction, supplier performance, and risk management.
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, Procure-to-Pay and external suppliers; ensure contracts meet requirements.
• Perform market analyses and provide data-driven insights to sourcing teams.
• Assist with RFIs, RFPs, and e-Auctions; support strategic and tactical procurement processes.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Verbal and written communication

Data collection and analysis

Project management

Independent work

Quick learner

SharePoint familiarity

Microsoft Office (Excel/PowerPoint/WD)

Academic achievement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Tools

SharePoint

TIBCO Spotfire

SAP

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Job Description

The Future Talent Program features Cooperative (Co-op) education that lasts up to 6 months and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Global Support Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.

Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity, and teamwork of an individual like you. We strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

This role is in Marketing Procurement, which is part of the Indirect Sourcing & Operations Procurement organization under the Global Supplier Management Group. The team aims to deliver superior performance to the organization in the areas of value creation, supplier management, and supplier risk mitigation through strategic sourcing initiatives for all divisions and functions of the company.

Marketing Procurement

Co-Op positions would be in one or two of the following: Creative, Public Relations & Global Communications, Media, Market Research or Marketing Operations.

General Responsibilities

• Support strategic and operating objectives for the procurement function including product sourcing, supply risk management, supplier performance improvement, cost reduction, supplier diversity development, working capital improvement, and supplier relationship management
• Work with cross functional teams including Legal, Finance, Procure-to-Pay, internal stakeholders, and external suppliers
• Conduct detailed market analyses looking at facts and data, with the objective of providing deep and meaningful insights
• Implement procurement efforts and execute tactical procurement processes. Serve as a resource regarding processes, procedures and systems for procurement function.
• Support selection of suppliers to ensure appropriate savings and service levels. Ensure that all legal contract requirements are met. Manage relationships with external contacts to ensure optimal team performance and to take appropriate actions by implementing contract negotiation, communication with suppliers and/or or modifying procedure to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Enforce compliance with all Global Procurement policies and procedures by using a data driven business case approach.

Additional Responsibilities Are As Follows

• Supplier and Supply Market Analysis – To conduct rigorous market intelligence and detailed supplier and supply market analyses, to provide deep and meaningful insight to Sourcing teams.
• Cost Modeling / Cost reduction – To construct detailed cost models/purchase price analysis of goods and services that are supplied to our company.
• Supplier Performance Management – supplier performance monitoring, root cause investigation, issue management, risk assessment and mitigation
• Strategic Analysis – To conduct project analysis which transforms the information gathered from 1) and 2) above into insightful, well-structured breakthrough options and opportunities. Examples include Portfolio Analysis, Supplier Referencing, and Day One Sourcing.
• Financial Analysis & Reporting – To prepare analysis and reporting of category spend, savings, compliance, and other metrics data on a monthly basis. To support the annual budget / profit planning process for the category at the global level. To maintain financial reporting and management systems (including SAP) with up-to-date data on an ongoing basis.
• Negotiation Planning – To create detailed pre-negotiation plans, to lead and participate any prolonged negotiation sessions with suppliers and to conduct post negotiation debriefs and follow through plans.
• Sourcing – To create and execute RFIs, RFPs, and e-Auctions, together with subsequent structured information analysis wherever possible using electronic procurement processes.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation – To conduct effective risk assessment (including Financial Solvency Analysis, compliance with FCPA, Business Partner Code of Conduct, etc.) and establish appropriate risk mitigation plans within the supply-base pursuant to our company Manufacturing Division's risk management framework.
• 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 incumbent will be expected to generate work of world-class quality and to share and transfer this to colleagues throughout GSMG

Education Minimum Requirement

• Currently in sophomore or junior level curriculum, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in business (such as Finance or Management), Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing, Market Research, Communications or a Science-related discipline (Engineering, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Bioengineering).

Required Experience And Skills

• Superior interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to work successfully on cross functional teams
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills including ability to make clear and concise presentations, sensitivity to cultural differences in communication
• Strong data collection, analysis and reporting skills
• Excellent project management skills
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability to deal with ambiguous and dynamic situations
• Quick learner and motivated to cultivate technical, business and commercial skills by applying their knowledge within our company’s environment
• Experience with SharePoint and Enterprise Social Media (specifically Teams, Yammer), and familiarity with principles of business communication, marketing and/or journalism.
• Proficient in Microsoft office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Demonstrated excellent academic achievement

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Prior pharmaceutical industry experience or any fortune 500 company experience
• Experience with using SharePoint or other similar collaboration websites
• Experience with TIBCO Spotfire or other data analytic/visualization tools
• Experience with using Excel to manage large data sets

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is $39,908 - $111,111 USD

Requirements

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

US And Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

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

Employee Status

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

10/9/2026

• 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.