Sourcing Manager

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ is seeking a Sourcing Manager to provide procurement support for Clinical Trial FSP. You will lead RFIs/RFPs/RFQs with Ariba, negotiate budgets, and manage contracts with suppliers, while collaborating with clinical, procurement, and finance teams to achieve strategic objectives.

The role requires at least 5 years in procurement-related roles, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and experience with supplier management and category team participation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or related roles with strong procurement process knowledge.
• Analytical skills to evaluate budgets, bids, and benchmarking data.
• Ability to negotiate and influence stakeholders in a clinical trial environment.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute RFIs, RFPs, RFQs with structured information analysis and Ariba use.
• Negotiate budgets with internal and external stakeholders based on detailed analysis.
• Prepare and manage contracts with suppliers, involving legal and senior management as needed.
• Provide guidance on budgetary and contractual impacts as part of cross-functional teams.
• Escalate issues to procurement leadership and other functions as required.
• Partner with scientific/operational teams to develop strategic supplier relationships.
• Monitor and improve supplier performance within cross-functional teams.
• Analyze supplier markets to derive insights for sourcing strategies.
• Contribute as an active member of category teams to optimize supplier sourcing.

Skills

Procurement

Budget analysis

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

BS/BA

Six Sigma Certification

MBA

Tools

Ariba

Excel

Job description

Job Description

Sourcing Manager

The selected candidate will provide procurement support for Clinical Trial Functional Service Provider (FSP). This includes strategic analysis of suppliers, supply markets and supply chains to inform the development, execution and ongoing management of clinical sourcing strategies. Key data includes internal budgets, supplier budgets and invoicing information. This role works closely with internal stakeholders in the clinical research, procurement, and finance organizations to achieve cross-functional business objectives. The Sourcing Manager is also responsible for certain aspects of contract execution and ongoing contract management. This role will report to the Associate Director to support high quality sourcing initiatives and procurement category management.

Primary Activities Include

• Sourcing - to create and execute RFIs, RFPs, RFQs together with structured information analysis and using Ariba systems
• Budget Negotiation - to conduct negotiations with suppliers based on detailed analysis of internal specifications, supplier costs, and internal benchmarks
• Contract Execution and Management - to prepare, finesse, and implement appropriate forms of contract and commitment with suppliers involving legal counsel and senior management as needed
• Stakeholder Support - to provide appropriate guidance around budgetary and contractual impacts of decisions/actions as part of a cross-functional team
• Appropriately escalation issues and concerns to procurement management and other functional areas such as legal, privacy, compliance, etc
• Business Partnering - to work closely with scientific and operational stakeholders and to develop successful, long-term, strategic relationships that enable joint achievement of shared organizational objectives
• Supplier Performance Management - to monitor, report, manage, and continuously improve supplier performance as part of a cross-functional team
• Supplier and Supply Market Analysis – to evaluate suppliers and supply markets based on facts, data, reports, and changes in technology with the objective of providing deep and meaningful insight to Sourcing Management teams
• Category Team Membership – to be an active member of a category team to influence the development and optimization of ongoing supplier and sourcing strategies

Minimum Education Requirement

• BS/BA. Certification in six sigma desirable. MBA or advanced degree are desirable.

Required Experience And Skills

• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in roles such as, but not limited to, procurement, purchasing, supply chain management, finance, vendor management, with a strong understanding of procurement processes, systems, and methodologies
• Superior analytical skills in evaluating complex clinical trial budgets, comparing supplier bids and internal benchmarking data
• Ability to negotiate and influence stakeholders and suppliers in the context of a challenging clinical trial environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to communicate well with varying levels of management. Formal presentations are required
• Must be adaptable in dealing with ambiguous and complex environments
• Able to effectively lead work within diverse cross functional teams to achieve client, department, and company goals
• Requirements for critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to work independently with minimal guidance from manager.

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of pharmaceutical industry, clinical research process and clinical trial operations
• Extensive experience in managing sponsor/supplier interactions across various roles, including business development, project management, contract management, and relationship management.
• Proficiency working in Excel and Ariba

Required Skills

Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Benchmarking, Contract Management, Data Analytics, Driving Continuous Improvement, Financial Acumen, Influencing Skills, Procurement Management, Production Planning, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Supplier Selection, Supply Chain Processes, Vendor Management

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.

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

Hybrid

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

The salary range for this role is $96,200.00 - $151,400.00. 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.

The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.