Senior. Specialist, Sourcing Ops
Requisition ID: PRO016925
Merck & Co., Inc. Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. known as Merck in the United States and Canada, is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where Merck has codified its legacy for over a century. Merck’s success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.
Merck is on a quest for cures and is committed to being the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Today, we’re doubling down on this goal. Merck Research Laboratories is a true scientific research facility of tomorrow, and will take Merck’s leading discovery capabilities and world-class small molecule and biologics R&D expertise to create breakthrough science that radically changes the way we approach serious diseases.
Pharmacology & Therapeutic Area Biology Sourcing Operations Senior Specialist within the Discovery Operations group of Merck Research Labs (MRL): This individual contributor, with minimal supervision, will take the lead in managing in vitro biology projects with external vendors in support of Discovery Sciences. This cross-functional position will involve working with scientific stakeholders to define project deliverables & workplans for various biology disciplines, developing & managing the biology vendor base, collecting metrics on supplier performance, tracking budgets, working with vendors to improve their level of service as well as developing, managing, improving & troubleshooting operational issues with our external suppliers.
This position relies on:
Technical experience:
Vendor relationship management:
Superior communication skills:
Ordering/budget management:
Qualifications
Education:
Required:
Preferred:
Job: Project Management Generic
Other Locations:
Employee Status: Regular
Travel: Yes, 15 % of the Time
Number of Openings:
Shift (if applicable):
Hazardous Materials:
Company Trade Name: Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. known as Merck in the United States and Canada, is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where Merck has codified its legacy for over a century. Merck’s success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.
Merck is on a quest for cures and is committed to being the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Today, we’re doubling down on this goal. Merck Research Laboratories is a true scientific research facility of tomorrow, and will take Merck’s leading discovery capabilities and world-class small molecule and biologics R&D expertise to create breakthrough science that radically changes the way we approach serious diseases.
Pharmacology & Therapeutic Area Biology Sourcing Operations Senior Specialist within the Discovery Operations group of Merck Research Labs (MRL): This individual contributor, with minimal supervision, will take the lead in managing in vitro biology projects with external vendors in support of Discovery Sciences. This cross-functional position will involve working with scientific stakeholders to define project deliverables & workplans for various biology disciplines, developing & managing the biology vendor base, collecting metrics on supplier performance, tracking budgets, working with vendors to improve their level of service as well as developing, managing, improving & troubleshooting operational issues with our external suppliers.
This position relies on:
Technical experience:
- Relies on extensive in vitro background related to protein production & cell sciences, including biological reagent generation (cell lines, RNA, DNA, etc.), enzyme & cell based assay development & screening of small molecule compoundsMaintains big picture working knowledge of drug discovery processes & organizational structure dependencies, as well as main scientific network contacts for in vitro workFacilitates troubleshooting & resolution of operational & non-technical aspects of projects or defines & engages appropriate network resources to address issues with minimal supervision
- Actively participates in Supplier Management Process (SMP) teams, providing Discovery Operations expertise in partnership with scientific stakeholders, Capability leads, Finance & Research Procurement to identify vendor requirements & any gapsExhibits strong leadership skills to align organizational needs across the functional network with our vendor strategy, influencing functional area scientists & driving governance teams appropriatelyIdentifies sourcing challenges proactively & focuses on workflow improvements to enhance our efficiency, capabilities or quality with external vendors
Vendor relationship management:
- Responsible for understanding the scientific & technical capabilities available at Merck's vendor partners across multiple disciplines, such that Merck can leverage these vendors to provide increased levels of service Relies on a strong business acumen to serves as partner relationship manager (PRM) to ensure success of multiple projects & programs running with the partner, while adapting, strengthening & broadening the collaboration where usefulEnsures partner understands & is prepared to meet Merck expectations based on project workplans & master service agreementsManages projects with external partners by coordinating meetings & communications externally to ensure all project requirements (timeline, budget & scientific) are metAccountable for metrics which monitor supplier performance through the Vendor Performance Process (VPP) Participates in external vendor audits & due diligence assessments
Superior communication skills:
- Serves as primary point of contact for communications with a network of strategic & preferred CROs in addition to Merck scientistsWith Scientific Capability Leads/ Merck scientists, creates clear & concise workplans based on scientific, operational & business requirements that accurately reflect scientific needs & communicates them to vendorsSupports capacity & new capability planning, implementation & vendor performance coaching using recurrent meetings, email communications & metrics-driven formal reviewsResponsible for maintaining internal records on progress of projects & keeping internal scientists & Capability leads up to date on progress
Ordering/budget management:
- Ensures quotes include appropriate payment milestones & timeline specificationsMaintains close collaboration with finance colleagues to ensure accurate budgeting/forecasting & actuals reportingEnsures good stewardship of Merck’s resources confirming that payment is made only on goods & services that meet quality & turnaround time requirements
Qualifications
Education:
- Minimum (5) years of scientific experience in a research environment (with preference to pharmaceutical environment) with a BA or BS degree.
Required:
- Prior experience in biological/ drug discovery research & in vitro experience (e.g. biological reagent production, enzyme & cell based assay development, screening of small molecule compounds)
- Must possess strong communication, leadership, interpersonal and computer skills
Preferred:
- Direct sourcing experience (as buyer or seller)
- Process Improvement/ six sigma methodologies experience
- Project Management Certification (PMP, CPM)
- Experience in negotiations & contracting
- Budget management/ Finance experience
Job: Project Management Generic
Other Locations:
Employee Status: Regular
Travel: Yes, 15 % of the Time
Number of Openings:
Shift (if applicable):
Hazardous Materials:
Company Trade Name: Merck