Associate Director Supply Chain

Job Description Welcome to our team Join a global supply chain team where your work has visible impact every day. Within Global Supply Chain, you will help coordinate the full flow of products, from supply planning and sourcing to inventory management, packaging, distribution, and delivery, ensuring customers receive the right products at the right place and at the right time. You will work closely with colleagues across Marketing, Finance, I.T., and Manufacturing and become part of a collaborative network of more than 60 professionals supporting manufacturing sites, regulatory agencies, and commercial operations around the world. Your role In this newly created global role, you will have the opportunity to shape and implement integrated logistics processes that support business performance across a highly complex international network. You will partner with internal teams and external contractors to standardize and roll out global ways of working across 26 manufacturing sites, 57 commercial operations, and the wider Supply Chain Management organization. This is a high-impact leadership position within the 3P/AS department, a team with responsibility for more than $2.2 billion in working capital transactions. Based preferably in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, this role offers a unique opportunity to drive strategic change, influence senior stakeholders, and help build the future of global logistics operations. Key responsibilities Engage with manufacturing sites worldwide to gather, analyze, and clarify business requirements, translating them into scalable, efficient process solutions that support global supply chain performance. Partner with Information Technology and cross-functional business leaders to prioritize initiatives, identify emerging business opportunities, and align processes with the organization’s strategic goals. Provide strategic oversight and expert guidance on major enterprise projects and system implementations, including Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), and S/4HANA, ensuring best practices and consistency across global operations. Monitor, assess, and report on process performance, key risk areas, and opportunities for further optimization, enabling data-driven decision-making at senior leadership level. Lead, coach, and empower three global supply chain teams totaling more than 15 professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Oversee end-to-end supply chain management for third-party distribution centers, ensuring operational excellence, compliance, and service continuity across the network. Manage global customer order fulfillment from both stock inventory and make-to-order manufacturing sites, coordinating complex logistics flows, custom requirements, and high-value customer relationships. Supervise invoicing processes and establish robust import documentation procedures, ensuring adherence to financial policies and international trade compliance requirements to support timely importation of a significant share of international shipments. Your profile Bachelor’s degree in International Business, Finance, or Supply Chain, with at least 6 years of relevant work experience. Advanced internal and external development, with a proven track record of continuous learning such as APICS, BLP, or similar programs. Strong experience managing people, departments, and high-performing teams. Expert-level understanding of SAP/ATLAS is required; WMS knowledge is preferred. Broad knowledge of Supply Chain Management business processes, including purchasing, production, quality, and Lean Six Sigma. Experience with multiple IT platforms, including AERA, ATLAS SAP, and YOUnify. Strong project management skills, including the ability to develop global strategies and manage a portfolio of projects. Experience in the pharmaceutical or animal health industry is required. Ability to work across channels, understand business problems, implement solutions, and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Actively promotes Ways of Working concepts and is willing to travel as needed. We offer A competitive salary, depending on your knowledge and experience. A 3% year-end bonus and an annual bonus based on individual and company performance. A minimum of 35,5 vacation days. Travel expense reimbursement and a solid pension scheme. A high-quality company restaurant with daily fresh and healthy options. Excellent accessibility: the train station is located directly at our main entrance and there is ample parking available. A contribution towards your personal sports subscription to support your vitality. A beautiful private park on site, ideal for a walk, break, or moment of relaxation. Mental wellbeing support via Lyra Health for you and your family members. Access to a dedicated prayer/meditation room. Extensive career growth opportunities thanks to the size of the site and the presence of many disciplines and global departments represented in Boxmeer. A workplace within an organization that continues to grow and evolve. For questions about this vacancy Please send an email including the vacancy number and job title to the following email address: Required Skills: Business Process Consulting, Business Processes, Change Management, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Customer-Focused, ERP Financial Systems, Global Supply Chain, Inventory Control Management, Logistics Control, Logistics Management, Performance Analysis, Process Improvements, Process Standardization, Project Management, Project Procurement Management, Regulatory Compliance, Supply Change Management, Vendor Management Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE 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: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): Job Posting End Date: 09/30/2026 *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.