Senior Manager Strategic Forecasting

Job Description

Senior Manager, Strategic Forecasting

Position Overview: 

We are leveraging analytics and technology, as we invent for life on behalf of patients around the world. We are seeking those who have a passion for using data, analytics, and insights to drive decision making, that will allow us to tackle some of the world’s greatest health threats. Within our commercial Insights, Analytics, and Data organization we are transforming to better power decision-making across our end-to-end commercialization process, from business development to late lifecycle management.

Strategic Forecasting is a global function encompassing long-range pharmaceutical asset forecasting across the product lifecycles of all assets within Human Health (Oncology, Vaccines, Hospital Specialty / Primary care). Assets include early and late-stage molecules in clinical development, companies under considerations by business development for partnering and/ or acquisition as well as currently launched products. Forecasting deliverables support division planning and decision making across multiple functional areas such as finance, manufacturing, product development and commercial. In addition to ensuring high-quality deliverables, our team drives synergies across divisions, fosters innovation and best practices, and creates solutions to bring speed, scale and shareability to our planning processes.  As we endeavor, we are seeking a dynamic talent for the role of “Senior Specialist – Strategic Forecasting” 

We are looking for a team member within strategic forecasting team based out of Pune/Hyderabad. Robust forecasting is a priority for businesses, as the product potential has major implications to a wide range of disciplines. While forecasting of realistic potential can be arrived through both qualitative and quantitative methods, the challenge lies in selecting and deploying the right methodology. Thus, it is essential to have someone who understands and aspires to implement advanced analytics techniques such as Monte Carlo simulations, agent-based modeling, conjoint frameworks, NLP, clustering etc. within forecasting vertical.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Responsible for conceptualizing and delivering forecasts and analytical solutions, using both strategic as well as statistical techniques 

• Drive continuous enhancements to evolve the existing forecasting capabilities in terms of value-add, risk/ opportunity/uncertainty - identify and elevate key forecasting levers/insights/findings to inform decision making 

• Collaborate across stakeholders – Finance, Research, Country, and senior leadership – to build and robust assumptions, ensuring forecast accuracy improves over time to support decision making 

• Drive innovation and automation to bring in robustness and efficiency gains in forecasting/process; incorporate best-in-class statistical forecasting methods to improve the accuracy 

• Communicate effectively across stakeholders and proactively identify and resolve conflicts by engaging with relevant stakeholders 

• Responsible for managing team and delivery of forecasts in a timely manner with allocated resources 

• Determine the optimal method for forecasting, considering the context of the forecast, availability of data, the degree of accuracy desired, and the timeline available 

• Contribute in evolving our offerings through standardization/ automation of various offerings, models and processes 

• Participate in selection, talent development and trainings of employees 

  

Qualification and Skills: 

• Engineering / Management / Pharma post-graduates with 8+ years of experience in the relevant roles; with at least 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical strategic forecasting or analytics 

• Demonstrated leadership and management in driving innovation and automation leveraging advanced statistical and analytical techniques (expertise in Spotfire will be added advantage) 

• Proven ability to work collaboratively across large and diverse functions and stakeholders 

• Ability to manage ambiguous environments, and to adapt to changing needs of business 

• Strong analytical skills; an aptitude for problem solving and strategic thinking 

• Hands on experience on Monte Carlo simulations and range forecasting 

• Exposure/sound understanding of advanced modeling techniques like Agent based and dynamic transmission model 

• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable insights 

• Proven ability to communicate effectively across all levels of stakeholders 

• Solid understanding of pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, supply chain and marketing functions.

Required Skills:

Agent Based Modeling, Biopharmaceutics, Business Analysis, Business Partnerships, Collaborative Development, Decision Making, Forecast Accuracy, Immunotherapy, Marketing, Numerical Analysis, Oncology, Pharmaceutical Development, Stakeholder Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Forecasting, Strategic Planning, Waterfall Model

Preferred Skills:

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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:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

06/7/2026

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