Senior Specialist, Trade (Hybrid)

MSD•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Position within our Company's Global Clinical Supply, Logistics & Regions Trade team. Responsibility for operational and strategic work for compliant US imports/exports ensuring alignment with US CBP, government and health agencies regulations including internal our Company's Global Trade Standards & Controls (GTSC). Position will work in Rahway NJ or West Point, PA and develop strong professional internal and external relationships including but not limited to GCS, GTSC, Customs & International Trade (CIT), our Company's Regulatory, Clinical and Research stakeholders across all our Company's global locations; brokers, carriers ensuring you represent the team and company interests in a professional and collaborative manner. Ability to influence all constituents and stakeholders to follow trade procedures, track reporting to Customs, and solving specific issues when they arise. A strong team player attitude is imperative to be successful in this role and enable the success of the team and the work we do. Ability to prioritize work and escalate challenges, in a fast-paced ever-changing environment. Growth mindset, offering solutions and embracing change as opportunity. You will champion consistency, drive efficiency improvements, and align day-to-day execution with strategic priorities. Specifically, this role: Lead and execute import and export activities for clinical trial shipments, switching fluidly between inbound (imports) and outbound (exports) responsibilities as operational needs dictate. Ensure full compliance with U.S. CBP requirements and other applicable global customs, regulatory, and controlled-substance rules; maintain up-to-date knowledge and implement process updates. Own shipment lifecycle monitoring, exception resolution, and escalation to minimize delays and maintain patient supply continuity. Develop, document, and improve SOPs and work instructions; identify and implement efficiencies in processes, systems, and vendor performance. Serve as primary point of contact for cross-functional partners (clinical operations, regulatory, QA, vendors, local depots) to coordinate complex shipments and resolve issues. Provide on-the-job coaching, mentoring, and training to peers and junior staff to build consistent capability across the team. Participate in and develop to Lead continuous improvement initiatives: analyze root causes, propose pragmatic solutions, measure impact, and standardize successful practices. Demonstrate calm, decisive leadership during disruptions; communicate transparently with stakeholders and support team resilience and alignment. Participate in audits and regulatory inspections as required; prepare documentation and respond to findings related to global trade and clinical supply. Support capacity planning and show flexibility during peak shipment windows or critical patient-supply events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, life sciences, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
5+ years’ hands-on experience in clinical supply chain or pharmaceutical logistics with direct responsibility for import/export operations.
Knowledge of U.S. CBP and global trade/customs regulations; controlled-substance import/export a plus
Experience with cross-functional teams; strong interpersonal and change-management skills
Excellent problem-solving, organization, and stakeholder-management; prioritizes well under pressure
Continuous-improvement mindset; Lean/Six Sigma experience preferred
Strong written/verbal communication; comfortable preparing reports, SOPs, and briefings for leadership
Collaborative, inclusive team player
Flexible to work outside standard hours for global shipments
Experience with SAP GTS, FTZ inventory systems, or similar tools preferred
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Ability to escalate issues appropriately in a fast-paced environment and seek support without delay
Accountability
Accountability
Biological Sciences
Brokerage Trading
Clinical Supply Chain Management
Communication
Customer-Focused
Customs Compliance
Customs Regulations
Detail-Oriented
Distribution Management
Diversity Awareness
Documentations
Driving Continuous Improvement
External Relations
International Trade Compliance
International Trade Finance
Inventory Control Management
Life Science
Logistics Coordination
Management Process
Medical Supply Management
Microsoft Outlook
Oral Communications
Performance Measurement

Nice To Haves

Lean Six Sigma (LSS)

Responsibilities

Lead and execute import and export activities for clinical trial shipments, switching fluidly between inbound (imports) and outbound (exports) responsibilities as operational needs dictate.
Ensure full compliance with U.S. CBP requirements and other applicable global customs, regulatory, and controlled-substance rules; maintain up-to-date knowledge and implement process updates.
Own shipment lifecycle monitoring, exception resolution, and escalation to minimize delays and maintain patient supply continuity.
Develop, document, and improve SOPs and work instructions; identify and implement efficiencies in processes, systems, and vendor performance.
Serve as primary point of contact for cross-functional partners (clinical operations, regulatory, QA, vendors, local depots) to coordinate complex shipments and resolve issues.
Provide on-the-job coaching, mentoring, and training to peers and junior staff to build consistent capability across the team.
Participate in and develop to Lead continuous improvement initiatives: analyze root causes, propose pragmatic solutions, measure impact, and standardize successful practices.
Demonstrate calm, decisive leadership during disruptions; communicate transparently with stakeholders and support team resilience and alignment.
Participate in audits and regulatory inspections as required; prepare documentation and respond to findings related to global trade and clinical supply.
Support capacity planning and show flexibility during peak shipment windows or critical patient-supply events.