Director, Supply Chain Management

Merck•Durham, NC

2d•$173,200 - $272,600•Hybrid

About The Position

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 Biologics 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 Biologics 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 Biologics Operations (GBO) 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.

Requirements

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 the 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 and Development 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.

Nice To Haves

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

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