Director, Oncology Forecasting (Global Pan-tumor)

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 191,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ) seeks a senior forecasting leader to design models and guide a high-performing team. You will partner with Marketing Engagement, Market Research, Data Science, Payer Analytics, and Finance to integrate inputs into strategic forecasts.

You will lead forecasting cycles, supervise analysts, and communicate insights to senior stakeholders while navigating a hybrid, matrixed environment in the US and India.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience delivering complex analytics in pharma/biotech.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Determine forecast modeling approaches and tools for assets/indications.
• Lead forecasting cycles aligned with enterprise process and explain results to stakeholders.
• Build and develop a high-performing forecasting team and mentor analysts.

Skills

Forecasting leadership

Stakeholder management

Team building

Cross-functional collaboration

Forecast modeling

Project management

Analytical problem solving

Strategic thinking

Communication

Empathy and collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA / Master’s / Doctorate preferred

Job description

Primary Responsibilities:

Determine appropriate forecast modeling approaches, tools, and techniques for your respective asset(s) and/or indication(s). Partner closely with Marketing Engagement, Market Research, Data Science, Payer Analytics, and other DHH functions on a continual basis to develop appropriate insights strategies and plans to have the necessary inputs for strategic forecasting. Lead your team in running the forecasting cycles aligned with our Company's enterprise forecasting process. Ability to use the Forecasting digital tool, guide coding experts to implement forecasting flow, and explain the results to stakeholders Support ongoing understanding of the engagement with the business regarding actual performance against forecast, including what is driving it. Engage closely with the business partners (Marketing, Market Access and Finance) in aligning on inputs, outputs, and the overall forecasting insights for each cycle. Bring a range of forecasting capabilities to bear in addressing business strategy and decision-making, including trend-based forecasting, scenario analysis, Monte Carlo analysis, and others. Build a team of high-performing strategic forecasters, supporting and enabling their continued development across business knowledge, forecasting techniques, and stakeholder engagement / consultative skills. Partner and influence others in a highly matrixed organization, including across large teams across both US and India-based colleagues, ensuring we always operate as One Team. Drive frequent, clear communication around the forecasting process, inputs, insights, and other related topics to ensure all stakeholders are aligned. Enable interconnected problem-solving with other DHH functional colleagues and business colleagues around targeted business questions. Be a thought leader and strategic partner for our business partners via the establishment of close, trust-based relationships. Understand business stakeholders' priorities and help develop strategic forecasting-related solutions that support business objectives in collaboration with the broader commercial insight teams. Travel may be required (<20%).

Education Minimum Requirements:

Undergraduate degree in a related discipline required. MBA or Master’s or Doctorate degree in Engineering, Public Health, Biological Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Medical Sciences preferred.

Required Experience and Skills:

Minimum of 8-10+ years of relevant delivery of complex analytical projects in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry using market research and/or large patient or physician databases. Experience in developing forecast models and extraction of forecasting insights. Direct line management experience is preferred. The candidate should have experience building/leading high-performance teams comprised of other Directors, Associate Directors, Senior Specialists (Consultants, Senior Consultants, Analysts) and enabling successful teams. Demonstrated the ability to collaborate and lead with empathy and compassion. Experience leading diverse groups of work colleagues and positively managing ambiguity. Ability to lead cross-functional pods. Self-motivated, proactive, with the ability to work independently and collaborate seamlessly. Lead without authority. Ability to understand business processes and break down business questions into specific, tangible hypotheses and requirements to guide analysis. Excellent problem-solving skills with an appreciation for data-oriented analytical methods. Ability to operate in an unstructured environment and have strong organizational skills to create structure and clarity. Ability to work within a highly matrixed environment and organize/ prioritize work efficiently and effectively to get things done. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Therapeutic area experience (for the respective TA of oncology, vaccines, or pharma/rare). Advanced forecasting experience, including developing different types of models (patient-based, trend-based, etc.), developing advanced scenarios and simulations, and deeply understanding the nuances of modeling for the respective TA. Consultative business partner experience (either within a company or as a consultant). Prior experience in functions that this person will be partnering closely with, including Marketing, Market Access, Finance, Market Research, Data Science, or Payer Analytics.

Position location:

Rahway, NJ & Upper Gwynedd (hybrid)

Required Skills:

Business Acumen

Business Acumen

Business Analysis

Business Consulting Services

Business Decisions

Competency Management

Customer Engagement

Forecast Management

Growth Mindset

Influencing Without Authority

Line Management

Management Consulting

Market Forecasts

Marketing

Numerical Analysis

Proactive Behavior

Product Lining

Scenario Modeling

Scenario Planning

Stakeholder Management

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Strategic Alliances

Strategic Analysis

Strategic Consulting

Strategic Planning {+ 1 more}

Our Human Health Division maintains a "patient first, profits later" ideology. The organization is comprised of sales, marketing, market access, digital analytics and commercial professionals who are passionate about their role in bringing our medicines to our customers worldwide.

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.

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

The salary range for this role is $190,800.00 - $300,300.00. 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.

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: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 10/16/2026 *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.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.