Associate Director, Global Sourcing & Contracting

Company: Merck
Location: Rahway
Posted on: April 25, 2025

Job Description:

Job DescriptionThe Global Sourcing Management Group (GSMG) plays a pivotal role in driving efficient sourcing practices for our company through the execution of a comprehensive end-to-end sourcing process. This encompasses collaborating with key business stakeholders to gain a thorough understanding of goods or services requirements, meticulously identifying, and assessing viable suppliers, conducting rigorous RFx evaluations, finalizing supplier selections, and culminating in the negotiation and formalization of contracts.Situated within the Business Operations organization of GSMG, the Global Sourcing and Contracting (S&C) team assumes the responsibility for the flawless execution of GSMG's sourcing and contracting endeavors. This encompasses the seamless coordination of activities, from initial engagement with business stakeholders to the meticulous evaluation of prospective suppliers through RFx steps, final supplier selections, and the ultimate completion of negotiation and formal contracting processes.By undertaking these strategic sourcing functions, the GSMG and S&C further our company's overarching objective of optimizing procurement practices and fostering robust supplier relationships in the pursuit of organizational success.The role of the Associate Director Global Sourcing & Contracting is critical in driving strategic sourcing initiatives and collaborating with the category team to facilitate operational and transactional activities. This includes actively participating in creating and managing RFx processes, engaging with suppliers, evaluating RFx responses, and handling other sourcing-related tasks within the SAP Ariba platform.The Associate Director Global Sourcing & Contracting plays a pivotal role in supporting major and minor category procurement efforts, working alongside Procurement Category Leads globally. By closely aligning with these stakeholders, the incumbent gains insight into the more significant supply strategies and successfully implements them.In addition to sourcing responsibilities, the Associate Director Global Sourcing & Contracting will allocate approximately 25% of their role to program management, supporting the Central Functions Sourcing & Contracting (S&C) team and leading initiatives across all HUBs globally. This includes tracking progress, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, and leveraging PMO methodologies to enhance project execution, manage risks, and deliver key initiatives on time.This strategic collaboration ensures that sourcing activities are effectively managed, enabling the organization to maximize value, optimize costs, and enhance supplier relationships.The incumbent is expected to establish and maintain strong, positive business relationships cross-divisionally and cross-regionally, be an effective problem solver and demonstrate a strong aptitude for leadership. They should also demonstrate strategic thinking, a global mindset, strong business judgment, and effective communication. Critical thinking and challenging the status quo are important success factors in this role.Position ResponsibilitiesPrimary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads a team of Sourcing & Contracting professionals executing the sourcing and contracting process.
• Ensures their organization understands their role in the end-to-end design, are adequately trained and deliver high quality service to category leads, business stakeholders and suppliers.
• Ensures that operations are effectively managed across the hubs in close partnership with other Hub Planners and Hub Leads across all 4 Sourcing & Contracting hubs globally.
• Collaborates with peers from other S&C Hubs to ensure knowledge sharing, such that all teams are able to operate effectively and independently on a day-to-day basis.
• Assures development and maintenance of relevant process knowledge articles, category cards and training materials.
• Identifies, defines, and assists in developing strategy for continuous improvement opportunities within the central function.
• Identifies opportunities and defines requirements for system enhancements, partner with process excellence, Ariba and IT organization to test and deliver them, and ensure successful deployment through change management and communication processes.
• Resolves issues and effectively handles escalations within current process to ensure business stakeholder and category team satisfaction.
• Takes a proactive role in understanding category strategy roadmaps and requirements to ensure S&C processes are effectively designed and the organization is trained appropriately to meet established service levels.
• Defines and monitors metrics to evaluate process health and effectiveness and provides ongoing service control and sustainability.
• Aligns with GBS, Finance, Procurement Category, SDPM and other stakeholders globally to support their operational objectives.
• Understands characteristics of the current sourcing strategy and actively identifies opportunities for improvement of business stakeholder experience.
• Acts as a leader to ensure accountability towards the business whilst providing holistic, standard, turn-key solutions.
• Demonstrates both tactical as strategic thinking and creative problem solving in response to position Procurement organization as a tool for supporting the business.
• Manages execution of the projects (RFx) with value up to $20 million.
• Responsible for E2E compliance contract management process with 3rd parties, including drafting, negotiations, contract compliance and execution.
• Responsible for to complete internal and external 3rd party risk assessments, prior to contracting and to maintain accurate records of risk assessment findings and risk mitigation strategies proposed.
• Communicating the outcomes of risk assessments and informing business stakeholders about proposed mitigation strategies.Education & Experience Requirements
  • Minimum of 7 years of Sourcing and/or Contracting experience.
  • Management and supervisory experience preferred, ideally in a matrix environment.
  • Strong business acumen and knowledge of business processes supported by transaction processing capabilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and manage an effective team of highly qualified and culturally diverse professionals.
  • Fluency in English
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or related field.Technical & Interpersonal Skills Requirements
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Apps (Excel, Word, PowerPoint at a minimum).
    • Enhanced knowledge of SAP Ariba system.
    • Enhanced knowledge of compliant sourcing and contracting processes.
    • Strong organizational skills to coordinate and manage multiple projects in parallel.
    • Strong written and verbal skills enabling effective communication with all levels of management - senior leaders through working teams.
    • Ability to operate independently and remain focused through change or uncertainty.
    • Strong customer service mind-set.
    • Global and continuous improvement mindset.
    • Problem solving and analytical skills with a proactive management style to implement new processes.
    • Willingness to challenge current thinking/processes.
    • Solid experience identifying and leading change initiatives, strategic thinking.
    • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organization skills.Physical Position Requirements
      • Ability to travel domestically and internationally for business meetings, workshops and leadership meetings.
      • Travel expectations can be up to 20% of the time.
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Keywords: Merck, Plainfield , Associate Director, Global Sourcing & Contracting, Executive , Rahway, New Jersey