Associate Specialist, Procurement

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ is seeking a Procurement Data & Strategy Analyst to gather, create and manage data supporting strategic initiatives within Direct Materials Procurement.

You will enable progress on projects, drive strategy execution, and accelerate performance through effective data analytics, reporting, and stakeholder communication. The role emphasizes collaboration with Finance, P2P and global operations to improve cost and supplier performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 0–2 years of relevant work experience.
• Advanced data collection, management, analytics and reporting skills.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to multi-task.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Strong verbal and written communication; cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Support procurement objectives with data analytics and reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance, Procure-to-Pay and internal stakeholders.
• Execute tactical procurement processes and provide guidance.
• Upload data to Ariba and other procurement dashboards.
• Provide data tracking and project support for Global Operations Sourcing.
• Support category spend, savings, compliance reporting.

Skills

APICS CPIM

Data Analysis

PowerPoint

Multitasking

Procure-to-Pay

Production Planning

Contract Management

Microsoft Excel

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PowerBI

MS Teams

SharePoint

Excel

Job description

Job Description

Advanced Strategy and Procurement is responsible for the development and implementation of all supplier management strategies and initiatives, improving supply chain resiliency, and driving improvements in cost, supplier performance and working capital, in support of manufacturing and supply of our company's pipeline products.

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 analysis and reporting of internal business requirements, supplier performance, spend and savings data.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the gathering, creating, delivering, tracking, and managing data for various strategic initiatives within Direct Materials Procurement. Will enable progress on projects and procurement organizational objectives and accelerate organizational performance through effective project management and communications, strategy execution, and focused team performance.

General Responsibilities

• Support strategic and operating objectives for the procurement function including product sourcing, supply risk management, supplier performance improvement.
• Work with cross functional teams including Finance, Procure-to-Pay, internal stakeholders.
• Execute tactical procurement processes. Serve as a resource regarding processes, procedures and systems for procurement function.
• Data Upload to Ariba and other Procurement Dashboards

Additional Responsibilities Are As Follows

• Supply Chain Resiliency Support - Support data collection from suppliers for sub-tier supply chain. Tracking identified risks and mitigation plans, and keeping central repository of collected data maintained.
• Support Global Operations Sourcing team day to day operations by providing data analytics support, project tracking, and tracking meeting minutes and action items.
• Financial Reporting - Reporting of category spend, savings, compliance, and other metrics. To support the annual budget / profit planning process for certain categories.
• Sourcing - Support creating RFIs, RFPs, and e-Auctions using electronic procurement processes.
• Sharing of Learnings - The candidate will be expected to generate high-quality work and to share and transfer this to colleagues throughout Global Operation Sourcing

Education Minimum Requirement

• Bachelor's degree.

Required Experience And Skills

• Minimum 0-2 years of relevant work experience
• Adaptability and ability to multi-task, able to communicate effectively across working level of organization.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills including ability to make clear and concise presentations, sensitivity to cultural differences in communication.
• Advanced data collection, management, analytics and reporting skills.
• Excellent project management skills
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of flexibility
• Quick learner and motivated to cultivate technical, business and commercial skills by applying their knowledge within company's environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Some relevant work experience in the pharmaceutical or consumer goods industry.
• Experience with using MS Teams, SharePoint or other similar collaboration websites.
• Experience with PowerBI or other data analytic/visualization tools
• Experience with using Excel to manage large datasets.
• Experience managing external relationships.
• Experience with data collection methods.

Required Skills

Adaptability, Adaptability, APICS CPIM, Budget Analysis, Business Agility, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Competency Management, Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM), Contract Management, Data Analysis, Data Analysis Tools, Driving Continuous Improvement, Independent Thinking, Inventory Control Management, Knowledge Sharing, Learning Agility, Liaison Work, Market Intelligence, Microsoft PowerPoint, Multitasking, Outsourcing, Pharmaceutical Industry, Procure-to-Pay, Production Planning, Profit Planning {+ 9 more}

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.

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

Salary range for this role

The salary range for this role is $65,100.00 - $102,500.00

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.

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

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

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

09/1/2026