R&D Sourcing & Procurement Co-op - Global Supplier Mgmt (Hybrid)

Merck; West Point (PA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck's Future Talent Program offers a six-month co-op in Global Support Division, providing hands-on projects and development opportunities in strategic sourcing and procurement. The role supports market intelligence, RFIs, RFPs, cost modeling, and supplier performance, with compliance and spend reporting.

The position collaborates with Legal, Finance, Procure-to-Pay, and external suppliers to drive savings, implement sourcing strategies, and maintain robust governance across the supply base.

Qualifications

• Superior interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to work successfully on cross functional teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including ability to make clear and concise presentations, sensitivity to cultural differences in communication, experience with SharePoint and Enterprise Social Media (specifically Yammer), and familiarity with principles of business communication, marketing and/or journalism.
• 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.
• Proficient in Microsoft office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Demonstrated excellent academic achievement.
• Focus on process improvements and simplification

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.
• 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. At times, this will require supplier visits to create a complete understanding of the cost structure of suppliers and develop cost reduction opportunities.
• Supplier Performance Management – supplier performance monitoring, root cause investigation, issue management, risk assessment and mitigation
• Strategic Analysis – To conduct up to six types of 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 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
• Corporate Communications – To identify communications opportunities, provide guidance on communications best practices, and identify process improvements. Draft and edit articles, blogs, newsletters, and slides. Be a proactive member of the Change Agent Network.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal and written communication

Data collection

Project management

Independent working style

Quick learner

Microsoft Office

Academic achievement

Process improvements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field

MBA or graduate program

Tools

SharePoint

Yammer

SAP

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Merck's Future Talent Program offers a six-month co-op in Global Support Division, providing hands-on projects and development opportunities in strategic sourcing and procurement. The role supports market intelligence, RFIs, RFPs, cost modeling, and supplier performance, with compliance and spend reporting.

The position collaborates with Legal, Finance, Procure-to-Pay, and external suppliers to drive savings, implement sourcing strategies, and maintain robust governance across the supply base.