Executive Director - Livestock Technology Solutions, Product Lead

MSD • Rahway, NJ

26d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our company's Animal Health Technology Solutions offers global animal identification and monitoring solutions for companion animals and livestock. These solutions enable pet owners to better manage the health and well-being of their pets and enable livestock producers to improve well-being and animal production. Technology Solutions include Core Technologies in Livestock Identification, Dairy, Beef and Swine monitoring, for which the product/market fit is established, as well as products in discovery. Our Technology Solutions division is evolving. We are moving to a Product Operating Model – a new way of working that empowers product teams to take full ownership and accountability for delivering customer and business value in ways our customers love and that work for the business. Our product teams are cross-functional and durable, bringing together all the skills required to deliver impactful outcomes. Each team includes a Product Manager, Technology Lead, Product Designer, Delivery Lead, engineers, and developers. We believe in customer centricity, ownership, and accountability. Solutions must be: Valuable – customers choose to buy or use them Viable – aligned with business constraints and goals Usable – intuitive and user-friendly Feasible – achievable with our technical capabilities Leadership of the team is shared between the Product Manager and the Technology Lead, ensuring balanced guidance that bridges product vision and technical execution. Product Management Role: As a Product Manager, you will be a key driver of value and viability within the product team. You are expected to bring: A solid understanding of business constraints (e.g., marketing, sales, customer success, finance, legal, privacy) Deep knowledge of our users and customers, supported by data on how they engage with our products Awareness of industry trends and the competitive landscape relevant to your product Additionally this PM of ID will be responsible for all commercial activities and alignment of our ERP Tetris project and investment of USD$ 70 million dollars per year that impact the current revenue of USD$300 million in ID products Leadership is shared with the Technology Lead, and you will both work with the Product Designer and engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. While each team member may be accountable for a specific risk area, you are expected to embrace collective accountability, ensuring the team delivers results in that matter. We are looking for product managers who: Thrive on customer centricity, ownership, and accountability Are comfortable signing up for measurable results, even when success depends on working through others Use data and logic to influence teammates, stakeholders, and executives Believe that innovation comes from the ideas and passion of the whole team

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Agriculture, Animal or Life Sciences, Veterinary Medicine or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in agriculture technology, livestock management, or animal health industries.
• Demonstrated understanding of the techniques and methods of modern product discovery and product delivery.
• Proven experience working on technology-powered products as either a Product Manager, Product Designer, Engineer, Data Analyst or Data Scientist.
• Ability to learn and work across multiple functional areas (e.g., engineering, design, finance, sales, or marketing).
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems with many constraints, using sound judgement to assess risks and building well-structured, data-informed narratives.
• Proven ability to engage with engineers, designers, stakeholders, and senior leaders in a constructive and collaborative way.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a track record of leading through influence rather than authority.
• A mindset of ownership, accountability, and customer focus; comfortable signing up for results and driving outcomes through others when needed.
• Passion for fostering team innovation and leveraging the collective ideas and expertise of cross-functional colleagues.
• Accountability
• Adaptability
• Change Management
• Communication
• Developing Pricing Strategies
• Direct Marketing
• Entrepreneurship
• Innovation
• Market Access Strategies
• Market Development
• Market Research
• People Leadership
• Product Management
• Results-Oriented
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Thinking

Nice To Haves

• Current Employees apply HERE
• Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
• 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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process. 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
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Product Ownership & Strategy Own and manage a product throughout its entire product lifecycle including a portfolio of USD$300 million in current revenue and USD$ 600 million by 2029
• Define the overall product vision and strategy with a keen focus on value, business outcome, and user experience
• Create high-level market valuations, compelling value propositions, and business cases for new product concepts and capabilities
• Identify unmet customer needs and market opportunities to inform new product development
• Customer & Market Insight Drive continuous product discovery to understand user needs and translate insights into solutions and a prioritized product backlog
• Develop and execute customer insight strategies through e.g., surveys, farm visits, and customer advisory boards to capture feedback and validate direction
• Make product decisions, and ensure they are anchored in customer needs and aligned with product strategy
• Translate customer needs into a prioritized backlog and outcomes based roadmap
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies (including animal health monitoring), and the competitive landscape to inform strategy and continuous improvement
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership Connect delivery squad(s) directly with customers to facilitate open communication and alignment
• Work with commercial teams to ideate new solutions, validate value propositions, and ensure alignment with customer needs
• Partner cross-functionally with the product team (Tech Lead, marketing, sales, and customer success) to ensure end-to-end delivery and adoption
• Collaborate closely with the Technology Lead, Product Designer, and engineers to discover, validate, and deliver effective solutions
• Lead adoption, retention and growth of the product by leveraging marketing, customer success, and market activation capabilities, while engaging commercial teams across regions and markets on the product value proposition
• Go-to-Market & Commercialization Drive release planning, manufacturing, go-to-market execution, and ongoing product support in partnership with cross-functional teams
• In partnership with the Tech Lead, engage supply chain and manufacturing teams to decide the most appropriately efficient way to bring products to market
• Engage commercial teams across regions and markets to drive understanding and adoption of the product’s value proposition
• Establish customer success frameworks and support models to ensure optimal product adoption and satisfaction
• Performance & Accountability Develop and adhere to annual and five-year financial plans, with accountability for overall financial performance
• Create, maintain, and continuously prioritize the product backlog to maximize value delivery and long-term sustainability
• Define and regularly calibrate product metrics to track success and progress against objectives
• Conduct business reviews and monitor industry trends and competitive dynamics to inform product strategy
• Champion a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the product team

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director