Job Description

We are a company with a team of about 90 professionals responsible for compliant, competitive and innovative acquisition of goods and services that deliver a competitive advantage. We manage third‑party spend using a mix of center‑led global category strategies and regional operating resources to maximize leverage and effectiveness.

The Procurement Senior Specialist reports to the Procurement Manager and plays an active strategic role within site sourcing teams and across regional/global categories. The role leads sourcing for complex direct and indirect categories, engages site stakeholders and local/regional suppliers, and drives strategies that mitigate supply risk while delivering value to the business.

The Procurement senior specialist will travel 25% of time.

Functions of the role

• Lead cross‑functional teams to support manufacturing operations and drive category/subcategory sourcing strategies, for both direct and indirect spend.

• Engage site stakeholders, translate requirements into supply strategies and proactively mitigate supply risks.

• Create and execute Request for information and price, evaluate proposals using predefined criteria and align stakeholders with assessment outcomes.

• Plan and conduct supplier negotiations (preparation, execution and debrief) to maximize business value.

• Prepare, implement and negotiate supplier contracts; liaise with corporate Legal as required.

• Monitor, report and continuously improve supplier performance using KPIs; run regular supplier relationship meetings and drive supplier innovation.

• Identify, track and deliver cost reduction and working capital improvement initiatives (e.g., payment terms, inventory), ensuring procurement policy compliance.

Mandatory requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (4‑year accredited program) in Finance, Business administration or related field.

• 3–5 years’ experience in procurement/purchasing or commerce.

• Previous experience with SAP or similar ERPs.

• English proficiency.

• Demonstrated strong negotiation and commercial skills.

• Ability to prioritize, multi‑task and work to agreed schedules.

• Self‑motivated, flexible approach to workload; able to work independently and in teams.

Desired requirements

• Pharmaceutical experience preferred.

• Additional purchasing qualification (e.g., CPM, CIPS) preferred.

• Experience developing and leading category strategies at local, regional or global level.

• Experience managing category performance metrics (KPIs, cost reduction, working capital improvement, risk mitigation).

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Benchmarking, Contract Management, Data Analytics, Driving Continuous Improvement, Financial Acumen, Influencing Skills, Logistics, Management Process, Procurement, Procurement Management, Production Planning, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Supplier Selection, Supply Chain Processes, Vendor Management

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

10/9/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.