Director, VCM Operations Research, Strategic Planning

Job DescriptionValue Chain Management (VCM) is accountable for our Company's Product Strategy in alignment with Manufacturing division and Human Health (HH) brand/franchise goals, integrated risk management, supply chain design, and continuous improvement of the product’s supply chain.The Director, Operations Research, Strategic Planning will lead a team of analysts in the development and execution of modeling and analytics strategies to support Value Chain Management across all modalities, end-to-end (E2E) supply chain design, strategic scenario planning, capacity evaluations and value chain optimization. This role acts as a critical bridge between operations research execution team members, Digital Manufacturing Division, supply chain stakeholders, and executive leadership to ensure robust, standardized, data-driven decision-making across the product lifecycle—from pipeline to commercialization.Key ResponsibilitiesLead modeling projects from initiation through delivery, including scenario development, trade-off analysis, and simulation of supply chain networks.Understand the impact of the individual and overall financial supply chain and integrate into solutions and decision makingDevelop and maintain standardized approaches for data extraction and blending across multiple systems to enable agile model buildingDesign and implement flexible, resilient simulation models aligned with Value Chain Management (VCM)Support long-term capacity planning and strategic decision-making through digital tools that simulate facility and asset capacityDevelop forecasting models and conduct scenario analyses for pipeline and in-line productsLead capacity and utilization modeling across internal and external nodes, including Drug Substance (DS), Drug Product (DP), packaging, and storage.Drive standardization of modeling practices across the network and support annual Long Range Operations Planning (LROP)Create and maintain dashboards, metrics, and playbooks to support strategic asset management and decision-making.Work with partners on implementation of advanced new solutionsCollaboration & LeadershipAct as a single point of contact for modeling data access and tool utilization across SCM, OpUs, ExM, and other stakeholders.Provide training and support to end-users, promoting a culture of analytics and digital transformation.Collaborate with senior leadership to define the strategic vision for supply chain design and analytics capabilities.Promote continuous improvement and innovation by staying current with industry best practices and emerging technologies.Education RequirementsBachelor’s degree in Operations Research, Data Analytics, Engineering, Science, Business, or Supply Chain Management (required)MBA or Master’s degree (preferred)Required Experience & Skills10+ years of experience in operations research, data analytics, supply chain modeling, and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing5+ years in supply chain or manufacturing rolesAbility to tell a story through data and simply articulate complexityStrong leadership, communication, and team-building skillsProven experience delivering digital products and driving organizational changeProficiency in tools such as SAP, Rapid Response, Excel, SQL, Qlik, Spotfire, and simulation platformsExperience with Monte Carlo simulations, LROP, and COGS modelingLean Six Sigma or MPS certificationFamiliarity with COMET and other enterprise modeling systemsExperience managing cross-functional, geographically diverse teamsCurrent Employees applyCurrent Contingent Workers applyUS 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 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: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.U.S. Hybrid Work ModelEffective 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 $169,700.00 - $267,200.00This 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 .You can apply for this role through (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 OrdinanceLos 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 OrdinanceSearch 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: RegularRelocation: No relocationVISA Sponsorship: NoTravel Requirements: 10%Flexible Work Arrangements: RemoteShift: Not IndicatedValid Driving License: NoHazardous Material(s): n/aRequired Skills: Business, Business Decisions, Digital Transformation, Leadership, Management Process, Operations Research, Packaging, Product Risk Management, Product Strategies, Social Collaboration, Strategic Management, Strategic Planning, Supply Chain Risk Management, Supply Change Management, Value ChainPreferred Skills:Job Posting End Date: 06/10/2025*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.

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