Associate Director, Logistics Procurement, Asia Pacific
Merck & Co.
This listing was originally posted on Merck & Co.'s careers page. Formulate is an equal opportunity job aggregator and is not involved in the hiring process. Where salary information is estimated, it is derived from BLS industry benchmarks and may differ from actual compensation.
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We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Logistics Procurement Leader to oversee end-to-end logistics sourcing across the Japan, China and Asia Pacific (JCAP) region. This role plays a critical part in enabling a resilient, compliant, and cost-effective pharmaceutical supply chain, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of life-saving medicines to patients.
You will lead procurement across transportation (air/ocean/road), warehousing & distribution, cold chain and thermal protection systems, and distributor management, while partnering with cross-functional stakeholders across Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams.
This role requires strong expertise in GxP-compliant logistics, supplier management, and regional market dynamics, combined with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive transformation initiatives.
Define and execute regional sourcing strategies aligned to global procurement and supply chain priorities
Lead category management across: Transportation (air, ocean, road, multimodal freight) Warehousing & distribution (3PLs, last-mile delivery, hub networks) Cold chain & thermal protection systems (passive/active packaging, qualification, lifecycle management) Distributor sourcing and management
Align JCAP strategies with global frameworks while adapting to local regulatory and market requirements
Lead strategic sourcing, RFPs, negotiations, and contract execution across logistics sub-categories
Ensure suppliers meet GxP / GDP compliance requirements, including temperature control, traceability, and quality standards
Partner closely with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure full compliance in all logistics operations
Drive cold chain integrity and risk mitigation strategies across the distribution network
Develop and manage a high-performing network of logistics service providers, cold chain solution providers, and distributors
Implement robust supplier governance, segmentation, and performance scorecards
Monitor KPIs such as OTIF, temperature excursions, service reliability, cost, and ESG metrics
Lead business reviews and continuous improvement programs with key suppliers
Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, capability enhancement, and innovation partnerships
Act as a trusted partner to Supply Chain, QA, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams
Translate business priorities into actionable procurement strategies
Support key initiatives such as: Network design and optimization Product launches and market expansions Distribution model evolution
Effectively influence stakeholders and challenge the status quo with innovative, value-driven solutions
Lead cross-functional projects including: Logistics network optimization Distributor rationalization and performance improvement Cold chain standardization and packaging optimization Cost-to-serve and operational efficiency initiatives
Drive digitalization, data analytics, and automation in logistics procurement
Integrate sustainability (ESG) goals, such as carbon footprint reduction in transportation and packaging
Represent JCAP in Global Supplier Strategy Councils and Procurement forums
Ensure alignment with global category strategies and best practices
Contribute to the development of procurement capabilities, tools, and governance frameworks
Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
Minimum 10+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or logistics
Strong experience in pharmaceutical / healthcare logistics (highly preferred)
Demonstrated expertise in: Logistics sourcing (transportation, warehousing, cold chain) Thermal protection and cold chain solutions Distributor sourcing and management models
Experience working in GxP-regulated environments (GDP/GMP)
Proven track record in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and cost optimization
Experience in business transformation, change management, and process improvement
Exposure to regional (APAC/JCAP) logistics market dynamics and regulatory environments
Strong leadership and ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including senior leadership engagement
Advanced analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities
Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, matrix organization
High degree of cultural agility, with experience working across diverse JCAP markets
Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills
Self-starter with resilience, adaptability, and a continuous improvement mindset
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Commercial Contract Negotiations, Data Analytics, Driving Continuous Improvement, Global Sourcing Strategies, Inventory Control Management, Packaging Procurement, Production Planning, Raw Material Sourcing, Results-Oriented, Risk Management, Strategic Sourcing, Strategic Thinking, Supply Chain Processes, Vendor ManagementPreferred Skills:
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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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Job Posting End Date:
05/28/2026*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.
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