Director, Global Clinical Supply Planning, Project Management - Hybrid

Merck Merck · Pharma · NJ

Merck is seeking a Director, Global Clinical Supply Planning to manage the end-to-end clinical supply chain for R&D. This role involves planning, sourcing, labeling, packaging, and delivery of clinical supplies globally. The Director will serve as the primary GCS point of contact, design strategic and operational plans, and interact with key partner organizations to negotiate timelines and strategies. Responsibilities include establishing manufacturing and release timelines, managing bulk drug supply, identifying supply risks, managing the clinical supply budget, authoring documentation, and supporting metrics collection. The role requires a Bachelor's degree, 8+ years of project management experience, and 5+ years in supply chain planning. Familiarity with SAP, demand planning, GMP, and GCP is essential.

What you'd actually do

  1. Interacts closely with key partner organizations (as a lead GCS Planning program representative) such as clinical development, regulatory, quality and other supply chain areas to negotiate timelines, strategies and other related topics for all clinical supplies across all assigned program(s).
  2. Responsible and accountable for establishing the timelines for bulk manufacturing needs and release of drug product across assigned program(s).
  3. Works directly in the SAP system to establish a consolidated, visible forecast for all products used within the assigned program(s) (i.e. Bulk Drug Product).
  4. Oversees all bulk drug supply management and ensures proper allocation of drug product as needed across studies within assigned program(s).
  5. Responsible for identifying significant supply risks associated with clinical bulk activities in addition to serving in a lead role for clinical supply issue escalation within their program(s) (and subsequent manage thereof) to GCS Leadership.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, business, or related discipline
  • 8 years of experience in project management
  • 5 years of experience in planning, scheduling, coordination and processing of supply chain activities
  • Excellent Communication & Interpersonal Skills
  • Strong negotiation, influencing, and relationship-building skills
  • Project Management Skills
  • Technical Proficiency: familiarity with supply chain systems and software (e.g. SAP or Oracle) and demand planning principles as well as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
  • Strong Analytical & Problem Solving Skills
  • Flexibility & Adaptability
  • Detail Oriented & Organized
  • Continuous Improvement Mindset
  • Proven record in project / portfolio management

Nice to have

  • MS/MBA preferred
  • Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Clinical Practices (GCP) is highly desirable
  • Proficiency in using supply chain management systems and software, including experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP), demand planning tools, and inventory management systems.
  • Familiarity with data analytics/visualization software.
  • Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

What the JD emphasized

  • at least 8 years of experience in project management
  • at least 5 years of experience in planning, scheduling, coordination and processing of supply chain activities