Director, Supply Chain Management

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Vaccines VCM Product Leader in Rahway, NJ, responsible for end-to-end supply chain for one or more vaccines. You will lead cross-functional teams, develop supply chain strategies, and align with product development and commercial leaders to ensure robust launches and lifecycle management.

The role requires deep experience in large molecule operations and strong leadership to guide a matrix organization and deliver cost, quality, and continuity of supply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or SCM.
• Minimum of ten years of work experience.
• Experience in large molecule operations, quality, or supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional SCWG/VCMT for pipeline or commercial products.
• Develop and maintain product supply chain lifecycle strategies.
• Drive governance, risk management, and launch strategies across functions.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Data analysis

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering/Science/Supply Chain

Master’s in Engineering/Science/SCM (preferred)

Job description

Job Description

At our company, we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. Join us in our mission to make a difference.

Value Chain Management (VCM) is the accountable organization for our company's Manufacturing Division product supply chain strategy in alignment with Global Human Health brand/ franchise commercial goals.

The Vaccines VCM Product Leader (PL) serves as the primary end-to-end (E2E) supply chain lead responsible for developing and executing product supply strategies for one or more products. The VCM Product Leader will be responsible for supply chain design, global filing and launch strategy, long-range demand vs capacity planning, integrated risk management, cost of goods projections, and post-approval product/ process/ supply chain change and lifecycle strategies for their product(s). Through these responsibilities, VCM Product Leaders have direct impact on cost, quality, customer service, and compliance which ultimately affects access, continuity of supply, and commercial outcomes.

The VCM Product Leader will lead the cross-functional Supply Chain Working Group (SCWG) for pipeline products or Value Chain Management Team (VCMT) for commercial products to develop and maintain a multi-year product strategy, prioritize key investments across the product supply chain, assure key project execution, and drive year-on-year attainment of brand operating metrics. The VCM PL will partner with the Product Development Team (PDT), Development and Commercialization Team (DCT), and Global Brand Team leaders to ensure collective alignment to execute on the top priorities at the enterprise level. In this context the VCM PL will ensure that value, constraints, costs, and risks are clear and appropriately factored into decision making and aligned enterprise level product lifecycle planning.

Additionally, the VCM PL will lead the SCWG/ VCMT to serve as a network level escalation team, to manage issues and risks escalated from sites and functions that require network level responses and communications. The VCM PL will be accountable to drive decisions in an efficient and effective way through appropriate governance channels, and represent the brand performance and agenda, priorities, and performance with senior level stakeholders across Global Vaccines Operations (GVO) and our Manufacturing Division. As the VCMT leader, the VCM PL will be responsible for setting horizontal objectives for team members, coaching and managing, and partnering with functional line.

This is a highly integrative position, and it requires strong large molecule operations and technical knowledge as well as very strong leadership skills to create the vision that guides and inspires the team and stakeholders. The role also requires strong talent management and team building skills as well as exceptional strength in communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross functional Supply Chain Working Group (SCWG) for pipeline products or Value Chain Management Team (VCMT) for commercial products
• Lead commercial siting selection, supply chain design, and value stream mapping
• Gain alignment and endorsement for supply chain strategic elements through senior stakeholder management and appropriate executive governance forums
• Develop and maintain product supply chain lifecycle strategies through Product Master Plans (PMP) as products are commercialized
• Lead post-approval physical product enhancements, process and method technical changes, robustness/quality/ productivity projects
• Manage product supply chain Integrated Risk Management (IRM) and Business Continuity Planning (BCP), including identification & prioritization of mitigation strategies
• Lead Global Filing and Launch (GFLS) strategy development to gain cross-divisional alignment on scope of market launches and associated timing
• Develop and maintain Cost of Goods projections through the product lifecycle
• Support network/ platform strategies driven by long term pipeline evolution, and support associated cross-functional teams implementing manufacturing network capability/ expansion programs
• Manage the interface with Global Human Health on the global long-range demand forecast, and engage with VCM analytics COE on the development and maintenance of supply models and conducting scenario analysis in response to evolving global demand dynamics
• Engage in resolution of global product supply disruptions where long-term strategic supply chain alternatives need to be established

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s of Science degree in Engineering, Science, or Supply Chain Management
• Minimum of ten (10) years of required work experience
• In-depth and wide breadth of experience in large molecule (biologics/ vaccines) operations, technology, quality, and/ or supply chain
• Demonstrated record and proven ability to lead a cross-functional matrix team through complex strategy/ project development and execution with geographically diverse teams driving accountability through measured accomplishments
• Knowledge of the functions that support the business including the following: Product/ Process Development, Manufacturing Operations, Finance, Regulatory, Quality, Compliance, Supply Chain and Commercial Operations
• Understanding of the manufacturing, testing and release processes for products supported.
• Understanding of regulatory strategy with respect to new product introduction (GFLS) and inline lifecycle management (change control)
• Understanding of product development lifecycle and integration of CMC and clinical strategy to bring a product to market
• Ability to engage with our Research & Development Division colleagues to ensure product is positioned to reliably launch with appropriate robustness and quality
• Ability to design and optimize product supply chains to deliver on necessary capacity, cost, and performance as measure by targeted SCM KPIs (lead time, inventory, COGs etc.)
• Strategic thinking and ability to assimilate highly complicated and multi-factored inputs into an integrated strategy that clearly links to business objectives and enterprise priorities
• Demonstrated ability to make timely decisions and influence direction in ambiguous situations
• Horizontal and vertical leadership skills that enable maximizing both the individual contributor and cross-functional team accomplishments
• Strong business acumen including understanding of financial product and network management as applied to key business processes such as business case/NPV analysis, product COGS interrogation and effective risk authorization stewardship
• Understanding of product commercial strategy to inform supply strategy
• Assertiveness and ability to persuade and influence decisions along with driving accountability through measured accomplishments
• Proactive mindset and ability to look outside the assigned role with an eagerness to identify potential product and supply risks and engage in opportunities to improve value chains and related business processes within the organization
• Proficiency in project and portfolio management tools and techniques
• Strong data analysis skills with competence in analyzing diverse data sets and translating to drive business decision making
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with an ability to organize complex information in a concise and compelling manner, and present clear and informed recommendations to influence leaders from various functional areas and levels, sometimes including senior leaders in Manufacturing Leadership Team and our Company's Executive Team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s of Science degree in Engineering, Science, or Supply Chain Management with eight (8) years of required work experience

Required Skills

Adaptability, Adaptability, Business Acumen, Business Alignment, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Commercial Operations Management, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Cross-Functional Communications, Customer-Focused, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Demand Analysis, Driving Continuous Improvement, Executive Leadership, Inventory Control Management, Life Cycle Planning, Organizational Leadership, Proactive Behavior, Process Alignment, Product Distribution, Production Planning, Product Launch Planning, Risk Avoidance, Risk Management, Scenario Modeling {+ 6 more}

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.

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

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

09/26/2026

Salary

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

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 .