Job Description
Our Manufacturing & Supply Division is dedicated to being the most trusted supplier of biopharmaceuticals worldwide. Our facilities, along with our external contractors, suppliers, and partners, create a reliable global manufacturing network that’s devoted to delivering a high-quality, reliable supply to customers and patients on time, every time.
The Associate Director, Global Supply Planner manages the supply chain for a Small Molecule product(s) to ensure inventory is available to fulfil customer demand. This role coordinates all aspects of the supply chain through plan, source, make and deliver. In this role, the E2E planner will be responsible for demand management, supply planning and inventory management. Depending on the product and/or supply chain, duties may include developing production plans for the manufacturing and packaging of pharmaceutical products and supporting launch expansions in new markets.
Main Responsibilities:
• Develop supply plans for the Small Molecule Products to exceed customer service levels while maintaining inventory targets and adhering to planning parameters across the End-to-End supply chain. • Lead the management of the supply chain issues working closely with Manufacturing Operations, Regulatory CMC, Technology, Quality, Value Chain Management and Global Launch Planning. • Enable adoption of Global Planning processes and systems (Maestro) • Guide the growing Product Supply Chain management through master data accuracy • Participate in monthly, quarterly, annual Integrated Business Process (IBP) standard work including Site and Global Supply Reviews, S&OP meetings, quarterly production planning, and annual budget and inventory planning. • Responsible for tracking and running analysis of the key Supply Chain indicators (Plan Attainment, LIFR-OTIF, Forecast Accuracy, Demand Variability, Inventory and Lead Time) • Provide comprehensive information, analytics and visibility around Product Supply, Demand, and Inventory status to Supply Chain Product Leaders, S&OP Business Owners, Global Supply Chain (GSC) Management and Line of Business (LOB) and Senior Leaders. • Ensure continuous improvement and drives changes and efficiencies to support an evolving corporation and initiate change regarding assigned products.
Profile:
• Bachelor of Science (chemistry, biology, pharmacy, or engineering) or Master of Business Administration with a minimum of >7 years of established experience in supply chain and/or operations within the pharmaceutical industry and fundamental knowledge of supply chain operations. • APICS (CPIM, CSCP) certifications, as well as knowledge of SAP or other ERP software. Experience with planning systems such as Rapid response (Maestro) is advantageous. • Ability to show resilience and positive mind growth in a dynamic and continuously changing corporate environment. • Proficient use of MS Office, particularly Excel and AI tools. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with operational personnel and senior leaders. • Ability to handle and manage multiple priorities within day-to-day business. • Capability to work well in a cross-cultural and cross-functional business setting.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
• Experience with SAP ECC, SAP APO, Kinaxis Rapid Response - Maestro • Manufacturing and Operations experience • APICS Certification • Project Management Experience
Our Supply Chain team ensures inventory is consistently available to meet customer demand. We coordinate all aspects of supply through supply planning, sourcing, making, inventory management, packaging and delivery. We partner across the Marketing, Finance and Manufacturing organizations to build a robust demand and supply plan and ensure we get products to the right customer, at the place, at the right time.
THE COMPANY We are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. Our company has had a presence in Switzerland since 1963 and employs around 1000 people at five sites in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. We are proud to be certified as a “Top Employer Switzerland” and “Top Employer Europe” since 2012 showing the company’s commitment to our employees and the community around us.
Our One Roof office, located in the city of Luzern, has a rich diversity of employees at this location including Global Supply Chain Management, Regional External Manufacturing and one of our European Finance Hubs, Human Health Business and others.
**Required Skills: **
Adaptability, Cross-Functional Integration, Customer-Focused, Demand Management, Driving Continuous Improvement, Headcount Planning, Logistics Management, Materials Requirements Planning (MRP), Order Management, Process Mapping, Production Planning, Regulatory Interpretation, Risk Management, Strategic Thinking, Supply Chain Processes
**Preferred Skills: **
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:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
N/A
Job Posting End Date:
06/21/2026
***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. **