Procurement Specialist

Merck • De Soto, KS

12d • $79,200 - $124,700 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and consumer health products, as well as animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company – one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us.
Animal Health Global Supplier Management is an organization of approximately two hundred professionals with the common objective of compliant, competitive, and innovative acquisition of goods & services from leading suppliers and partners that deliver a competitive advantage. We manages approximately $1.2B of third party spend through an organizational structure encompassing the global leverage of center-led categories and regional operating resources.
Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.
Join a high-impact team at our DeSoto, Kansas facility. Reporting to the Associate Director, Procurement, the Procurement Specialist plays a key sourcing leadership role within site operations and across regional and global categories. This position is responsible for driving procurement strategies for materials and services supporting our Animal Health division.
This role encompasses both tactical and strategic responsibilities within a complex environment. Success requires strong stakeholder engagement, supplier management, and the ability to lead sourcing initiatives, perform data analysis, and manage risk. The ideal candidate will deliver results aligned with our Animal Health Division's priorities, including ensuring security of supply, driving optimization, and achieving total cost efficiencies.

Requirements

• Minimum High School diploma required
• Minimum 2 or more years’ experience in procurement, supply chain or other related experience.
• Demonstrated strong negotiation skills.
• Must be capable of prioritizing, multi-tasking, and working to an agreed schedule.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work both individually and as part of a team.
• Must have a flexible approach to workload
• Experience managing projects and programs with multiple workstream and cross functional resources.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, knowledge of ERP systems (Ariba is a plus); as well as ability to quickly learn new software systems.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience within the Life Sciences/Pharma/Animal Health Industry is a plus.
• Ariba is a plus

Responsibilities

• Provide both strategic and tactical procurement support for product transfer activities, including supply chain mapping, supplier consolidation, risk assessment, system updates, compliance verification, and supplier management. Drive measurable outcomes such as on-time project delivery, reduced supply chain risk, regulatory compliance, and improved supplier performance.
• Internally collaborate with Technical, Quality, Operations, Finance, Legal, and other functions to define requirements. Externally build and maintain strong supplier relationships through regular performance and business review meetings across key and active suppliers.
• Develop and execute Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs) using procurement platforms (e.g., Ariba). Ensure comprehensive capture of business requirements and lead structured evaluation of supplier proposals based on predefined criteria.
• Develop and implement effective negotiation strategies to maximize business value. Lead negotiations, recommend supplier awards, and oversee implementation of sourcing decisions.
• Draft, negotiate, and execute supplier agreements in alignment with business and legal requirements. Partner with Legal to review contract terms and ensure strong understanding of contractual language and risk positions.
• Establish and manage supplier performance metrics, including OTIF (On-Time In-Full) and other KPIs. Monitor, report, and continuously improve supplier performance while fostering innovation through regular supplier engagement.
• Identify and Deliver cost saving opportunities. Possess an understanding of standard costs and standard cost setting process. Manage projects and approvals for cost reduction initiatives with Stakeholders and Finance

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
• annual bonus
• long-term incentive

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED