Associate Director, Supply Chain Management

Merck; Wilson (NC); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks an Associate Director, Supply Chain Management within Global Launch Planning to lead end-to-end product launches in major markets, coordinating with cross-functional partners and guiding hypercare transition to sustaining owners.

This senior role emphasizes risk mitigation, cross‑functional leadership, and process improvement to ensure timely, compliant introductions. Hybrid work arrangement with global visibility across teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in supply chain, launch planning, and/or manufacturing operations within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• PM experience in 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 launch plans align with GFLS and Supply Chain Design requirements.
• Develop launch supply scenarios 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 governance forums with clear options and recommendations.
• Contribute to business continuity planning for assigned products 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.

Skills

SCM experience

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Risk mitigation

Analytical skills

Lean/Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Rapid Response/Kinaxis

Maestro

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

• 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.

Required Experience / Skills / Knowledge

• 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 Experience / Skills

• 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.

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.

US And Puerto Rico 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.

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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:

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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.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Regular Employee Status; Relocation: Domestic; VISA Sponsorship: Yes; Travel Requirements: 10%; Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid; Shift: 1st – Day; Valid Driving License: No; Hazardous Material(s): n/a.