Job Description
The Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) Planner Supply Chain Operations is a planning role with a key role within the overall End-to-End (E2E) Supply Chain Planning team and aligns with the E2E planner to understand the long-term product strategy and translates this into a tactical design for execution for the assigned API-Chemical or Bulk-Devices products in the external nodes in the supply chain(s).
Responsibilities:
Demand
Understands the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API-Chemical) or Bulk-Devices products demand and is responsible to continuously adjust the supply chain strategy to meet agreed service levels on the downstream nodes as well as to minimize the inventory risk profile for their Chemical or Bulk/devices products.
Interacts with the global E2E planning and External Manufacturing (ExM) order management teams on related API or Bulk/device topics.
Interacts directly with the E2E planning on demand and service-related topics and to ensure alignment between financial and unit-based sales plans (profit plan).
Represents Intermediates planning in Global brand / regional franchise Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes for assigned portfolio.
Partners across E2E Planning, Finance and Manufacturing organizations to build a robust demand and supply plan and ensures to get products to the right customer, at the right place and at the right time. Supply Develop production plans in cooperation with internal and external sites in line with the current plan.
Supply
Develop production plans in cooperation with internal and external sites in line with the current planning procedures. The focus is to manage the product flow from Intermediates CMOs (and internal intermediates sites if applicable) to internal and external API sites.
Initiates, moderates and documents regular Site Supply Reviews (SSRs) with assigned CMOs to ensure proper supply of Chemical or Bulk/devices products. Determines appropriate rhythm of SSRs based on production windows and deliveries.
Interacts closely with ExM transactional team for order related topics. Supports Profit Plan processes and issue management, tier, event management to proactively identify, mitigate, manage and prevent supply issues.
Where necessary, will fulfill inter-site requirements and monitor vendor schedules and site shipping schedules to meet downstream requirements. Create supply scenario's, factoring in demand and supply risks and opportunities and responsible to align supply plans and scenarios with the in- and external supply chain nodes. Represents the E2E organization in platforms of the ExM Organization on Intermediates related topics for assigned supply chain(s).
Volume and Inventory Budget Plan
Generates the annual inventory and volume budget plan for assigned Chemical or Bulk/devices products. Reviews performance versus plan as part of the monthly/quarterly SSR.
Risk Management
Understands the financial implications, inclusive of risks, of all decisions made. Will prepare different scenarios for (senior) management evaluation and approval as appropriate. This implies having a thorough understanding of financial components around assigned supply-chain(s). Carefully weighs costs and benefits related to site efficiency, inventory write-off risk and requirements of the downstream sites, including potential for up and downsides.
Continuous Improvement
Responsible to review and challenge the Value Chain for assigned product portfolio, challenge the status quo and initiate continuous improvement projects to improve lead-time, inventory, cost and service performance. Acts as a change agent for new and evolving corporate, regional and site initiatives for his or her products. Is able to drive these changes through the supply chain organization and to the in network and external manufacturing sites.
SSR
Site Supply Review (S&OP) process focuses on the critical activity of supply and demand balancing-- matching demand that incorporates customer and market intelligence to the organization's asset, resource and material constraints to arrive at a feasible production plan.
Intention:
* Strategic and tactical tradeoff decisions needed to ensure optimum profitability across the End to End value chain.
* Inventory is seen as a strategic lever to buffer demand volatility or supply risk rather than as a cost-slashing target.
* Jointly owned across business leaders, the S&OP process is where go-to-market opportunities are translated into profitable responses from the total supply network, with a focus on revenue, profit, and service rather than on volume and units.
Your Profile:
* University studies, preferably in Supply Chain or related discipline.
* APICS CPIM or CSCP.
Additional Skills and experience required:
* Hands on Supply Chain Management experience (relevant experience in network planning, manufacturing or regulatory affairs preferred).
* Knowledge of Supply Chain Operations and Management.
* Advanced SAP and APO skill and experience.
* Rapid Response and Power BI are a plus.
* MS Office experience (proficient Excel, Access and Powerpoint user).
* Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal.
* Experience with Kinaxis Rapid Response is an advantage.
Competencies required for role:
* Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
* Effective influencing skills based on strong business understanding and analysis - Ability to lead cross-functional teams.
* Must be able to manage multiple priorities.
* Able to function well in a cross-cultural environment.
* Resilient individual, able to function in a dynamic and changing corporate environment.
THE COMPANY
Our Company has had a presence in Switzerland since 1963. With a regional office and manufacturing/packaging facility, Lucerne is considered the center of operations. Approximately 1,000 people work collaboratively at the four Lucerne locations (Tribschenstrasse, Citybay, Schachen and Kriens). A fifth location has been established in Zurich, aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of many of our company's medicines and vaccines, which supports our mission to save and improve lives around the world.
We are proud to be certified as a "Top Employer Switzerland" and "Top Employer Europe" showing the company's commitment to our employees and the community around us.
Our Tribschenstrasse office, located in the city of Luzern has a rich diversity of employees at this location including Global Supply Chain Management, Regional External Manufacturing and one of our European Finance Hubs. The site also serves as our regional and local headquarters of our company's Animal Health Division in Switzerland.
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Business Acumen, Change Control Management, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), Cost Management, Cross-Functional Communications, Customs Clearing, Data Analysis, Demand Supply Planning, Driving Continuous Improvement, Logistics Management, Marketing Logistics, Market Trends, Order Management, Production Planning, Product Lifecycle, Product Portfolio Management, Product Strategies, Profitability Management, Project Management, Regulatory Affairs Compliance, Regulatory Affairs Management, Report Writing, SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (SAP APO) {+ 5 more}
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:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
N/A
Job Posting End Date:
02/5/2026
*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.