Senior Specialist, Procurement

Merck • North Wales, PA

13d • $96,200 - $151,400 • Hybrid

About The Position

Our company is 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. Our company 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.

Job Summary:
The candidate will support Animal Health Global Supplier Management with a primary focus on packaging-related sourcing projects, while also providing flexible support across other procurement, supplier management, and business initiatives as needed. The role will support the team’s Multi-Year Optimization (MYO) initiative, contributing to project execution, supplier and stakeholder coordination, value creation, risk mitigation, and implementation of opportunities that improve cost, supply reliability, standardization, and overall business performance. The Senior Specialist will join an enthusiastic team and will contribute to sourcing strategy, innovation, supplier engagement, negotiations, and contract implementation in support of our Animal Health division. The role is diverse and dynamic, requiring strong project management skills, adaptability, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to manage changing business priorities. This is a limited-duration role expected to support business needs from 2026 through 2030. Travel will be expected up to 15%

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or other related fields
• Minimum 5 or more years’ experience in procurement, supply chain or other related experience.
• Experience in sourcing Packaging.
• Strong focus on value creation, proactive risk mitigation, supplier relationship management and cost optimization.
• Demonstrated strong negotiation skills.
• Proactive & Adaptive: A self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment. 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 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.
• Project Management & Communication: Ability to manage multiple complex projects, demonstrating excellent organizational skills and strong verbal and written communication in English.
• Direct Service, Packaging, Procurement, Procurement Management, Sourcing and Procurement, Sourcing Projects, Supplier Management, Supply Chain Processes

Nice To Haves

• Experience with SAP Ariba, Aera highly desired
• Experience within the Life Sciences/Pharma/Animal Health Industry is a plus.
• Cross-Functional Teamwork, Leadership, Life Science, SAP Ariba

Responsibilities

• Sourcing Project Lead: ownership of assigned Projects includes but not limited to project initiation, business case, cross-functional and stakeholder alignment, RFI/RFP, Supplier contract negotiations and execution, cost savings identification, delivery and reporting, sourcing strategy and award recommendation, Supplier due diligence and qualification process, change management, project management, Sponsor updates and compliance with all applicable policies.
• Relationship Management: 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.
• Negotiation Strategy & Execution: Develop, lead and implement effective negotiation strategies to maximize business value.
• Contract Management: 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.
• Supplier Performance Management: 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.
• Cost Optimization & Savings Delivery: 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, and compassionate and sick days

What This Job Offers

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