Job Description

Position Overview

The Senior Sourcing Specialist – Equipment & Automation plays a strategic role within the Global Capital Procurement team, leading sourcing activities for equipment and automation categories that support major investment projects across the Human Health division globally. This position requires strong commercial acumen, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to manage complex, high-value procurement initiatives in a dynamic, international environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Lead sourcing for Equipment & Automation categories globally, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Develop and implement category strategies that deliver cost savings, mitigate risk, and drive innovation.

• Conduct market intelligence, competitive analysis, and supplier benchmarking to identify best-in-class solutions.

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management

• Engage with Equipment Management Teams and project stakeholders to understand requirements and

  translate them into sourcing strategies.

• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, tier reviews, and routine updates to ensure alignment and transparency.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and internal partners across regions.

Supplier Performance Management

• Establish and maintain Supplier Relationship Management programs, including KPIs, scorecards, and regular

  business reviews.

• Monitor supplier performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

• Drive innovation and knowledge-sharing with strategic suppliers.

Negotiation & Contract Management

• Prepare detailed pre-negotiation plans and lead complex negotiations to secure optimal commercial terms.

• Draft, review, and execute contracts in collaboration with Legal and ensure compliance with corporate standards.

• Manage all contractual obligations and maintain accurate documentation.

Cost & Working Capital Optimization

• Identify, track, and deliver cost reduction opportunities, including managing Purchase Price Variance (PPV).

• Support working capital improvement initiatives through payment term optimization and inventory reduction

  programs.

Compliance & Policy Adherence

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with corporate policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Participate in ongoing reviews of procurement practices and enforce adherence across stakeholders and suppliers.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Project Support

• Lead cross-functional teams within the Center of Excellence to support investment programs.

• Act as procurement expert in risk mitigation and strategic sourcing projects.

• Contribute to global category strategies and participate in LT+1 management initiatives.

Performance Metrics & Reporting

• Support delivery of critical department KPIs, including on-time/in-full delivery, cost reduction, and working capital improvements.

• Provide accurate reporting and analysis to support decision-making and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Required. For candidates outside the US, education requirements to align with in-country guidelines.

• Minimum of 3 years in strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and risk mitigation, preferably on capital investment projects.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in SAP-Ariba and advanced Excel. Strong understanding of procurement processes and electronic sourcing tools.

• Core Competencies: Excellent negotiation and commercial skills. Project management and change management experience. Ability to manage multiple complex projects independently. Strong communication

  skills in English (written and verbal).

• Other Requirements: High degree of flexibility and adaptability in dynamic environments. Ability to work cross functionally and with many cultures. Willingness to travel internationally as required.

Preferred Skills & Competencies

• Leadership & Influence: Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Analytical Thinking: Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills to support strategic decisions.

• Change Management: Experience driving organizational change and process improvements.

• Supplier Innovation: Capability to foster supplier-driven innovation and continuous improvement.

• Risk Management: Proactive approach to identifying and mitigating supply chain risks.

#eligibleforerp

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Benchmarking, Category Strategy, Change Management, Contract Management, Cost Reduction Initiatives, Data Analytics, Driving Continuous Improvement, eSourcing, Ethical Standards, Financial Acumen, Foster Innovation, Influencing Skills, Leadership, Logistics, Management Process, Multi-Management, Procurement Management, Production Planning, Project Procurement Management, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$96,200.00 - $151,400.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include 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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

03/27/2026

*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.