Job Description
At our company, we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. Join us in our mission to make a difference.
The Biologics VCM Product Leader (PL) is the end‑to‑end supply chain owner for one or more biologics, accountable for defining and executing integrated product supply strategies across the lifecycle. This role oversees supply chain design, global filing and launch planning, long‑range demand and capacity alignment, risk management, cost of goods projections, and post‑approval product, process, and supply chain changes. Through these responsibilities, the VCM PL directly influences cost, quality, customer service, compliance, and ultimately product availability, continuity of supply, and commercial performance.
As the leader of the Supply Chain Working Group (SCWG) or Value Chain Management Team (VCMT), VCM PL drives cross‑functional alignment to deliver a multi‑year product strategy, prioritize supply chain investments, ensure disciplined execution, and achieve brand operating metrics. The role partners closely with Product Development, Development and Commercialization, and Global Brand teams to align enterprise‑level priorities, ensuring that value, cost, constraints, and risk are transparent and reflected in decision making. The VCM PL also serves as the network‑level escalation point for supply issues, leads governance and senior stakeholder engagement, and provides strong people leadership—setting objectives, coaching teams, and leveraging deep biologics operations expertise, strategic vision, and clear communication to inspire and guide diverse stakeholders.
This is a highly integrative position, and it requires strong large molecule operations and technical knowledge as well as very strong leadership skills to create the vision that guides and inspires the team and stakeholders. The role also requires strong talent management and team building skills as well as exceptional strength in communications.
Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional Supply Chain Working Group (SCWG) for pipeline products or Value Chain Management Team (VCMT) for commercial products
- Lead commercial siting selection, supply chain design, and value stream mapping
- Gain alignment and endorsement for supply chain strategic elements through senior stakeholder management and appropriate executive governance forums
- Develop and maintain product supply chain lifecycle strategies through Product Master Plans (PMP) as products are commercialized
- Lead post-approval physical product enhancements, process and method technical changes, robustness/quality/productivity projects
- Manage product supply chain Integrated Risk Management (IRM) and Business Continuity Planning (BCP), including identification & prioritization of mitigation strategies
- Lead Global Filing and Launch (GFLS) strategy development to gain cross-divisional alignment on scope of market launches and associated timing
- Develop and maintain Cost of Goods projections through the product lifecycle
- Support network/platform strategies driven by long-term pipeline evolution, and support associated cross-functional teams implementing manufacturing network capability/expansion programs
- Manage the interface with Global Human Health (GHH) on the global long-range demand forecast, and engage with VCM analytics COE on the development and maintenance of supply models and conducting scenario analysis in response to evolving global demand dynamics
- Engage in resolution of global product supply disruptions where long-term strategic supply chain alternatives need to be established
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s of Science degree in Engineering, Science, or Supply Chain Management
- Minimum of ten (10) years of required work experience
- In-depth and wide breadth of experience in large molecule (biologics/vaccines) operations, technology, quality, and/or supply chain
- Demonstrated record and proven ability to lead a cross-functional matrix team through complex strategy/project development and execution with geographically diverse teams driving accountability through measured accomplishments
- Knowledge of the functions that support the business including Product/Process Development, Manufacturing Operations, Finance, Regulatory, Quality, Compliance, Supply Chain, and Commercial Operations
- Understanding of manufacturing, testing, and release processes for products supported
- Understanding of regulatory strategy with respect to new product introduction (GFLS) and inline lifecycle management (change control)
- Understanding of product development lifecycle and integration of CMC and clinical strategy to bring a product to market
- Ability to engage with our research & development division colleagues to ensure product is positioned to reliably launch with appropriate robustness and quality
- Ability to design and optimize product supply chains to deliver on necessary capacity, cost, and performance as measured by targeted SCM KPIs (lead time, inventory, COGs, etc.)
- Strategic thinking and ability to assimilate highly complicated and multi-factored inputs into an integrated strategy that clearly links to business objectives and enterprise priorities
- Demonstrated ability to make timely decisions and influence direction in ambiguous situations
- Horizontal and vertical leadership skills that enable maximizing both the individual contributor and cross-functional team accomplishments
- Strong business acumen including understanding of financial product and network management as applied to key business processes such as business case/NPV analysis, product COGS interrogation, and effective risk authorization stewardship
- Understanding of product commercial strategy to inform supply strategy
- Assertiveness and ability to persuade and influence decisions along with driving accountability through measured accomplishments
- Proactive mindset and ability to look outside the assigned role with an eagerness to identify potential product and supply risks and engage in opportunities to improve value chains and related business processes within the organization
- Proficiency in project and portfolio management tools and techniques
- Strong data analysis skills with competence in analyzing diverse data sets and translating to drive business decision making
- Effective verbal and written communication skills with an ability to organize complex information in a concise and compelling manner, and present clear and informed recommendations to influence leaders from various functional areas and levels, sometimes including senior leaders in Manufacturing Leadership Team and our company Executive Team
Preferred
Master’s of Science degree in Engineering, Science, or Supply Chain Management with eight (8) years of required work experience
**Required Skills: **
Accountability, Adaptability, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Cross-Functional Communications, Customer-Focused, Data Analysis, Driving Continuous Improvement, Inventory Control Management, Proactive Behavior, Production Planning, Risk Management, Supply Chain Analytics, Supply Chain Metrics, Supply Chain Planning (SCP), Supply Chain Strategies, Vendor Selection
**Preferred Skills: **
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
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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:
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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.
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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
$173,200.00 - $272,600.00
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:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
05/15/2026
***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. **