Assoc. Dir., MRO Services Procurement

Associate Director, Global Category Manager

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled global category manager to join our Site Services Procurement team. In this role, you will lead the development and execution of sourcing strategies and initiatives, and the relationship and performance management of strategic suppliers for manufacturing equipment maintenance, operations and repairs services globally. You will work closely with our Company’s Manufacturing Division and Global Workplace & Enterprise Services (GWES) Organization, including their business leaders. Your expertise will drive cost efficiencies, mitigate risks, and foster innovation through strategic sourcing and supplier management. You will be a member of a collaborative, international team dedicated to ensuring the effective acquisition of critical site services that support our company’s mission to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines worldwide.

If you thrive in a complex, global setting, fast paced environment and are passionate about making a meaningful impact through strategic procurement, this is the role for you.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and execute category strategies for manufacturing equipment maintenance, operations and repairs services ("MRO Services"), at global level as well as at regional and local level, primarily in US and Ireland where our Company has its largest manufacturing footprint.
• Lead cross functional teams through the Sourcing Management Process at global level as well as at regional and local level. Drive competitive sourcing events (RFQs, RFIs, RFPs), and support vendor selection, commercial negotiation and contracting.
• Support and implement Supplier Relationship Management with key suppliers to maximize supplier performance, ensure contract compliance and delivery of contractual commitments, and optimize supplier capabilities to address business requirements.
• Drive cost savings and value generation, tier 1 and tier 2 supplier diversity and scope 3 emissions reduction through strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, and supplier relationship management.

Required education, experience and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of working experience in procurement, supply chain, engineering or manufacturing.
• Minimum of 5 years of procurement experience, with experience in MRO services (manufacturing equipment maintenance, operations and repairs services) and experience as a category lead across multiple sites.
• Proven track record of developing category strategies that deliver cost savings and operational improvements.
• Proven track record of managing supplier relationships and governance across multiple stakeholders.
• Project Management skills and experience, with proven track record of leading sourcing initiatives, from initiation to successful implementation.
• Effective communication skills to clearly convey ideas and collaborate across global teams.
• Ability to build strong relationships and network with all different chains of command in the organization.
• Ability to lead transformational initiatives and influence cross-functional teams to adopt new ways of working.
• Autonomy and ability to work self-directed.
• Willingness to find answers to problems and challenges on their own, and through connectivity with internal and external collaborative outlets.
• Comfortable working within international, remote teams.
• Proficient in English (written and spoken).

Preferred education, experience and skills:

• MBA or advanced degree.
• Experience working with or in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

Required Skills: Adaptability, Commercial Contract Negotiations, Data Analytics, Driving Continuous Improvement, Global Sourcing Strategies, Inventory Control Management, Packaging Procurement, Production Planning, Raw Material Sourcing, Results-Oriented, Risk Management, Strategic Sourcing, Strategic Thinking, Supply Chain Processes, Vendor Management

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

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

The salary range for this role is $126,500.00 - $199,100.00. 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

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: 10/28/2025

*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.

Requisition ID: R368470