Director, GAHM IT Strategy & Execution

Job DescriptionPosition Overview The Global Animal Health Manufacturing (GAHM) IT Strategy & Execution Lead is responsible for developing and executing the strategy, design, and implementation of the business transformation journey for our Animal Health manufacturing IT division. This encompasses ensuring the GAHM IT organization operates effectively and efficiently such that the team is delivering a high-quality service, value and experience to the business. The Strategy & Execution lead will also act as Chief of Staff, a strategic thought partner and trusted advisor to the GAHM IT Lead.The Strategy & Execution lead will work across the GAHM IT Manufacturing, Quality & Supply Chain value teams, plus the GAHM IT Digital Manufacturing Operations (DMO) team; providing leadership and direction for the development of innovative solutions and operational execution to deliver business value. This role will be responsible for delivering on a multi-year roadmap of transformative business initiatives and associated enabling digital technologies, and orchestrating Capital Programs within the end-to-end digital transformation agenda.In addition, this role will take leadership of critical capabilities and strategically important ones for the GAHM IT organization including a PMO office, Change Management and Communications.Key ResponsibilitiesEnsures GAHM IT vision, strategy, and product roadmaps are aligned to the most important business outcomes for the GAHM organization, with a clear link between AH IT strategy and GAHM hoshinActs as Chief of Staff and a strategic thought partner / trusted advisor to the GAHM IT Lead, including serving as a key point of contact and representative to key stakeholdersTranslates business priorities into a single digital strategy for the full manufacturing network, in partnership with the GAHM IT Lead and GAHM IT Senior Leadership TeamIterates, validates, and communicates clear vision, strategy, priorities, and timelines across GAHM IT, GAHM, and AH ITProvides thought leadership to internal and external stakeholders and industry channels, and conducts market scanning to identify emerging business and technology trends, disruptive innovation, and partnership opportunitiesPromotes team integration, cross-functional collaboration, and communication across GAHM IT and the wider AH IT organization to simplify work, identify synergies, and improve ways of workingFacilitates an effective operating rhythm across the GAHM IT leadership team and continuously improves the Strategy & Execution function to meet evolving business needsPartners with key stakeholders to deliver enterprise-wide transformative programs across GAHM ITDrives talent strategy and execution by assessing current capabilities against future needs and ensuring the right talent is in the right rolesOperationalizes strategy and communications across all levels of the organization, from the board of directors to day-to-day employees, ensuring alignment across GAHM ITOversees PMO disciplines, standards, and consistent change management methodology, including portfolio management, value realization, and demand managementAggregates and reports on the overall GAHM IT financial portfolio, including total cost of ownership, and ensures strong financial stewardship and accountabilityDrives capital programs and coordinates teams to deliver technology assets on time, on budget, and in full, maximizing value realization across the portfolioActs as an escalation point for delivery and execution within the Digital organization and supporting functions to ensure successful implementation and steady-state operationsMotivates teams to deliver with agility, excellence, compliance, Safety First, and Quality AlwaysBuilds a strong internal and external network to recruit talent, stay current on industry trends, and establish effective vendor partnershipsPromotes leadership development, career growth, and continuous upskilling to build high-performing teamsMaintains a commitment to personal development and lifelong learningAbility to travel 25%Qualification, Skill & Experience7–10 years of strategy or business consulting experience, including corporate or business strategy, growth strategy, mergers and acquisitions, portfolio optimization, operating model design, and/or digital transformationBachelor’s degree, preferably in a STEM-related subject, or equivalent industry experienceStrong management and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a matrixed organization and align teams on complex decisionsProven track record of designing and leading programs across multiple groups and teams, with strong leadership, strategic thinking, communication, and interpersonal skillsStrong business acumen, customer focus, and ability to execute consistently, rapidly, and effectivelyStrong quantitative skills and the ability to use data and metrics to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement using agile methodologies and lean manufacturing principlesAbility to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, from entry-level associates to C-level leaders, and to develop compelling business case narratives in fluent EnglishExperience leading large-scale digital transformation programsAbility to synthesize business needs, architecture principles, available technologies, third-party products, and industry standards into practical solution designs within required timeframesProven ability to build high-performing teams and create an environment that promotes initiative, innovation, continuous learning, and development of future digital/technology leadersExperience managing and motivating a dispersed international team across multiple time zones, with the ability to implement standard processes and tools to drive consistencyDemonstrated ability to build internal and external networks and leverage global teams and communitiesHighly self-motivated, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and comfort with ambiguityRequired SkillsAgile Environments, Agile Environments, Business Strategies, Change Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer-Focused, Digital Strategy, Digital Transformation, Disruptive Innovations, Executive Presence, ICT Strategy, IT Governance, IT Infrastructure Management, IT Quality Management, IT Security Compliance, Lean Manufacturing, Management Process, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), People Analytics, People Leadership, Personal Development, Product Roadmap, Project and Program Management (Inactive), Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Stakeholder Relationship Management {+ 2 more}Preferred SkillsCurrent Employees apply HERECurrent Contingent Workers apply HEREUS 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, visitEEOC Know Your RightsEEOC GINA Supplement 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 ActsThe salary range for this role is$173,200.00 - $272,600.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https //jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.You can apply for this role through https //jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.San Francisco Residents Only We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance OrdinanceLos 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 OrdinanceSearch 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 RegularRelocation DomesticVISA Sponsorship NoTravel Requirements25%Flexible Work Arrangements HybridShift Not IndicatedValid Driving License NoHazardous Material(s) n/aJob Posting End Date 05/27/2026A 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. Requisition ID R397846