Job Description

As a Global Strategic Sourcing Intern at our company's Animal Health Division, you will gain hands-on experience working alongside industry experts to develop and execute sourcing strategies that drive value, efficiency, and innovation across our global supply chain. This summer internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that support the health and well-being of animals worldwide.

If you are eager to apply your analytical skills, collaborate in a dynamic environment, leverage cutting-edge digital technologies, and make a tangible impact, we invite you to join our team and help shape the future of animal health.

About Us:

At our company, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases.

The company is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. The company’s innovative portfolio includes technology, products and solutions to help improve or enhance animal management and health outcomes across Livestock and Companion Animal species. Healthier animals mean a sustainable food supply, protection for humans against diseases passed from animals, and longer, healthier lives for pets.

Potential Responsibilities:

• Supplier & Market Analysis: Conduct detailed supplier and supply market analysis using data, reports, and technology trends to provide deep insights for sourcing management.

• Sourcing Strategy Development: Support the creation of sourcing strategies aligned with stakeholder business requirements to drive key performance indicators (KPIs) and maximize company value.

• Cost Modeling, Reduction, & Financial Planning: Develop detailed cost models and purchase price analyses of goods and services supplied to our company to understand cost structures and identify savings opportunities. Prepare reports on category spend, savings, compliance, and support annual budget/profit planning.

• Negotiation Planning & Execution: Assist in developing pre-negotiation plans, support negotiation sessions, and perform post-negotiation analysis and follow-up.

• Sourcing Execution: Support the creation and management of RFIs, RFPs, and e-Auctions, leveraging electronic procurement tools for structured analysis.

• Contract Management: Assist in managing supplier contracts and commitments to ensure appropriate terms and compliance.

• Supplier Performance Management: Support supplier agreements with embedded performance metrics, monitor KPIs, and assist in supplier performance improvement initiatives.

• Data Analytics & Business Intelligence: Leverage data analytics and visualization tools to analyze datasets, identify spend trends, and generate actionable insights that support strategic sourcing decisions.

• AI & Digital Procurement Innovation: Explore and evaluate emerging digital technologies and artificial intelligence solutions to help optimize supplier management workflows and support digital transformation initiatives.

• Project Management: Support sourcing and cross-functional projects by following project management processes and tools to track progress and communicate with stakeholders.

• Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Conduct risk assessments including financial, compliance, and ethical considerations, and help implement mitigation plans aligned with risk management frameworks.

• Knowledge Sharing: Produce high-quality work and share best practices across teams and regions to foster continuous improvement and collaboration.

Required Qualifications:

• Current sophomore or junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Data Science, Finance, or a related business/technical discipline.

• Must commit to hybrid, on-site employment for 10-12 weeks in the summer following the Spring Semester of 2027.

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Previous experience in the pharmaceutical/animal health industry or within a Fortune 500 company preferred.

• Demonstrated academic excellence.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

• A digital-first mindset with an interest or experience in leveraging emerging technologies, such as Generative AI, AI productivity tools (e.g., Co-pilot), or automated business workflows.

• Strong personal integrity and ethical standards.

• Excellent interpersonal and interaction skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels and diverse teams.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment as well as independently, demonstrating accountability and initiative.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver clear and concise presentations.

• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, with a results-oriented mindset to drive impactful outcomes.

• Proven leadership potential and growth-oriented behaviors, including a commitment to continuous learning and development.

• Quick learner with motivation to develop technical, business, and commercial expertise within a dynamic corporate environment.

• High degree of flexibility and adaptability to navigate ambiguous and fast-changing situations.

Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.

Salary range:
The salary range for this role is $39,108 through $111,111.

FTP2027

AH2027

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US 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 click here 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:

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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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los 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 Ordinance

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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