Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Specialist in Supply Chain Planning. This role will take ownership of supply and material planning, ensuring demand is accurately translated into material requirements and that materials are available to support manufacturing.

Working across Quality, Operations, Warehouse, Supply Chain and supplier-facing teams, you will lead the resolution of material risks and help further embed SAP-based planning and standard ways of working. This is a highly collaborative role offering broad cross-functional exposure and the opportunity to influence how planning processes continue to evolve.

Bring energy, knowledge, and innovation to carry out the following:

• Lead material and supply planning activities to ensure accurate demand, timely ordering and reliable material availability.
• Manage material risks and supply issues, bringing together the right stakeholders to develop and deliver effective recovery plans.
• Coordinate material flow from goods receipt through Quality release and availability for manufacturing.
• Act as a key planning and scheduling representative in cross-functional meetings, clearly communicating risks, priorities and actions.
• Use SAP as the core planning system, ensuring effective execution of material planning processes and accurate planning data.
• Support the continued development and adoption of SAP-based standard work across the planning team.
• Monitor inventory and forecasts to avoid shortages, excess stock and expiry risk.
• Partner with suppliers and internal teams to improve material performance and continuity of supply.
• Use data and performance metrics to identify opportunities and drive measurable planning improvements.
• Coach and support colleagues to strengthen planning capability and consistent ways of working.

What Skills You Will Need

• Strong experience in supply chain, material planning, or planning and scheduling within a manufacturing environment.
• Advanced SAP planning experience, with the ability to translate system processes into effective ways of working.
• Proven ability to identify material or supply risks and proactively drive issues through to resolution.
• Experience managing material demand, ordering, inventory and supply availability.
• Strong cross-functional communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to represent Planning in stakeholder meetings.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, presentation and organisational skills.
• Ability to communicate complex supply issues, risks and recovery plans clearly and factually.
• Experience working across functions such as Quality, Operations, Warehouse and supplier management.
• Strong Excel skills and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Previous people management experience, or a demonstrated interest in developing people leadership and management capabilities.
• Relevant third-level qualification

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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. 

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. 

Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process. 

We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world. 

Please feel free to speak to us about what flexibility means to you during your application. 

So, if you are ready to: 

Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs, please apply today. 

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. 

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