Biologics VCM Product Manager

Biologics VCM Product Manager at MSD (Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA)

About the Role

Value Chain Management (VCM) is the accountable organization for our company's Manufacturing Division product supply chain strategy in alignment with Global Human Health (GHH) brand/franchise commercial goals.

The Biologics VCM Product Manager (PM) works under direction of the VCM Product Leader supporting the development and execution of end-to-end (E2E) product supply strategies for one or more Biologics products. The VCM Product Manager will be responsible for supporting supply chain design, global filing and launch strategy, long-range demand vs capacity planning, integrated risk management, cost of goods projections, and post-approval product/process/supply chain change and lifecycle strategies for their product(s). As a result, VCM Product Managers have direct impact on cost, quality, customer service, and compliance which ultimately affects access, continuity of supply, and commercial outcomes.

The VCM Product Manager will help lead the cross-functional Supply Chain Working Group (SCWG) for pipeline products or Value Chain Management Team (VCMT) for commercial products to develop and maintain a multi-year product strategy, prioritize key investments across the product supply chain, assure key project execution, and drive year on year attainment of brand operating metrics. VCM PM will help the SCWG/VCMT to serve as a network level escalation team, to manage issues and risks escalated from sites and functions that require network level responses and communications.

This is a highly integrative position, and it requires strong large molecule operations and technical knowledge as well as very strong leadership skills to help create the vision that guides and inspires the team and stakeholders. The role also requires strong team building skills and exceptional strength in communications.

Primary Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in leading cross functional Supply Chain Working Group (SCWG) for pipeline products or Value Chain Management Team (VCMT) for commercial products
• Support and/or lead commercial siting selection, supply chain design, and value stream mapping
• Assist in gaining 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
• Support management of 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
• Assist in Global Filing and Launch (GFLS) strategy development to gain cross-divisional alignment on scope of market launches and associated timing
• Support development of Cost of Goods projections through the product lifecycle
• Support network/platform strategies driven by pipeline evolution, and support associated cross-functional teams implementing manufacturing network capability/expansion programs
• Help manage the interface with 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

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or Supply Chain Management
• Preferred: Master’s degree or higher in related discipline

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience
• Breadth of experience in large molecule (biologics/vaccines) operations, technology, quality, and/or supply chain
• Demonstrated ability to lead a cross-functional matrix teams through strategy/project development and execution teams driving accountability through measured accomplishments
• Knowledge of the functions that support the business including the following: 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 Research 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
• 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 business processes
• 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

About MSD

As a company, we are committed to “Inventing for Life” in all that we do. We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world’s most challenging healthcare needs.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

We are one company, but we operate under two different corporate brand names. We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as MSD everywhere else.