Sr. Specialist, R&D Procurement

MSD • North Wales, PA

6d • $96,200 - $151,400 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Specialist, R&D Procurement, will play a key role in supporting indirect procurement activities across Animal Health Research & Development, Manufacturing and Commercial Operations globally. Working in close partnership with global cross-functional stakeholders, the role will support procurement initiatives across business critical categories, including Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and Laboratory Supplies, Equipment and Services.
The role will serve as a key liaison between internal business partners and external suppliers, helping to drive value, mitigate risk, improve supplier performance, and ensure procurement alignment with business objectives.
The ideal candidate will have experience in indirect procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier management, and stakeholder engagement preferably within regulated industries such as Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Food or related sectors. Alternatively, candidates with experience in Quality or Research and Development within a regulated environment will also be considered. Strong analytical, negotiation, project management, and relationship-building skills are essential, along with the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic global organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in business, supply chain, science, engineering, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category procurement, supplier management, contract negotiation/execution within Pharmaceutical or other similarly regulated industries, OR; 3-5 years of relevant experience within Quality, R&D environment with procurement project, or stakeholder-management exposure.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple simultaneous complex procurement projects and cross-functional stakeholders across global teams and different time zones.
• Strong commercial, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with procurement systems such as SAP and Ariba preferred, experience with Aera would be advantageous.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Excellent English skills; additional language skills would be advantageous.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting indirect procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supplier performance management, or procurement project execution.
• Background working within regulated environments such as Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, or Food industries.
• Ability to influence stakeholders, navigate ambiguity, and manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced global environment.
• Experience with procurement systems, sourcing and compliance tools, spend analytics and supplier performance management programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with global stakeholders across R&D, Quality, Operations, and other business functions to understand business requirements, identify sourcing opportunities and projects, and deliver procurement solutions aligned with organizational objectives.
• Develop and sustain strong Supplier Relationship Management Programs, to monitor, report, manage and continuously improve supplier performance, including supplier visits, regular business review meetings, and developing key performance indicators.
• Conduct detailed market intelligence, supplier analysis, due diligence, and competitive sourcing events.
• Negotiate and manage contracts, including preparation of negotiation plans, execution support, and post-award implementation.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to understand needs, resolve issues, and support cross-functional procurement projects.
• Perform operational procurement activities and support procure-to-pay processes as needed to ensure business continuity and compliance.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments, compliance reviews, and create and implement mitigation actions.
• Support cost reduction and value creation initiatives through sourcing, negotiations, and process improvements.
• Analyze procurement category data and support reporting, performance tracking, and decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to develop new suppliers and improve supply continuity.

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