Associate Director Logistics & Regions

Job Description

Join us in making a real difference to patients worldwide by leading compliant, agile logistics operations across our Global Clinical Supply Chain. You'll guide a talented team through the complexities of international trade while fostering innovation, ensuring compliance, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive and grow. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who bring different perspectives, experiences, and approaches to problem-solving. If you're passionate about patient impact, energized by complexity, and committed to growing others while growing yourself, we'd love to hear from you.

The Position

As Associate Director Logistics & Regions, you'll lead compliant import and export operations across EU and rest of world markets, ensuring clinical trial materials move efficiently through customs while meeting all regulatory requirements. You'll drive compliance through audits, SOPs, and strategic projects while building a patient-focused, agile supply chain. Success in this role requires strong leadership, a collaborative mindset, and a solution-oriented approach. You'll work across time zones with diverse stakeholders—including Quality Assurance, Global Trade Compliance, Clinical Operations, research teams, and external partners—to influence GMP and trade policy adherence while solving time-sensitive logistics challenges. Your ability to build relationships, adapt to change, and balance multiple priorities will be essential as you lead process innovation, ensure compliance, and develop your team through coaching and day-to-day management.

Welcome to the Team

Our team comprises approximately 40 members, organized by core trade functions to ensure coverage and specialization. Responsibilities are divided across five areas: US imports/exports, Rest of World operations, FTZ (Foreign Trade Zone) projects, trade systems (process and technology enablement), and compliance/audits. This structure aligns expertise with regional and regulatory needs while supporting consistent, efficient, and compliant global trade execution.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ability to lead a high performing team

• Oversee compliant and delay-free customs clearance and logistics operations, ensure correct documentation, and provide solutions and support in daily operations.

• Drive improvements in compliance processes within Global Clinical Supply in partnership with stakeholders such as Research, Quality, Learning and Development, Global Clinical Trial Operations, Global Trade Compliance, and research areas of Drug Product Engineering and Development.

• Lead project management for logistics, distribution, foreign trade zone projects, trade systems, and trade-related initiatives.

• Ensure audit and inspection readiness: lead and support internal and external audits, prepare logistics, maintain documentation, and manage responses and corrective and preventive actions.

• Manage permits and licenses, administration of standard operating procedures and other documents in electronic document management systems, and tracking of compliance commitments and metrics.

• Create and deliver training and tools to upskill team members and stakeholders in trade operations.

• Uphold good manufacturing practice quality standards, global trade regulations, and company standards; partner with subject matter experts to monitor performance, drive continuous improvement, and align to strategic goals.

Your Profile

• A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Trade, or related field is preferred, though we welcome candidates with relevant diplomas and substantial hands-on experience

• 5 years in regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food, or chemicals, with strong knowledge of GxP and Trade Compliance regulations

• Demonstrated ability to coach, inspire, and create inclusive environments where everyone can contribute their best

• Expertise in Customs and GMP regulations for EU and rest of world markets

• Technical proficiency with SAP, compliance systems (deviations, CAPAs, SOP writing), procurement/negotiation (RFP/RFQ processes), and logistics/supply chain management tools

• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across cultures, functions, and time zones with stakeholders at all levels

• Strong project management capabilities with comfort balancing strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations, plus excellent communication skills in presenting to diverse audiences

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What we offer

We welcome you to a truly global, dynamic and challenging environment with great opportunities for personal development. Our benefits are very competitive and the summary below will give you an idea of what you can expect.

• Competitive salary and a 3% year-end bonus;

• 35,5 days of leave;

• Attractive collective health care insurance package with considerable reduction rates;

• Solid Pension Plan;

• Incentive Plan;

• Numerous training, coaching and e-learning modules for long term job opportunities and development.

Required Skills:

Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Business Creativity, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Clinical Trials, Confidentiality, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Customer-Focused, Data Analysis, GMP Compliance, Influencing Without Authority, International Logistics, Inventory Control Management, Leadership, Logistics, Logistics Management, Microsoft Products, Process Improvements, Procurement, Production Planning, Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Supply Chain Processes, Team Coaching {+ 3 more}

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

11/27/2025

*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.