Senior Specialist Financial Planning & Analysis
Merck
Summary
The Senior Specialist will work closely with US Commercial teams as a key financial and strategic business partner to support the goals and growth of our company Human Health business. The Senior Specialist is responsible for forecasting, month-end close, budgeting, and financial evaluation activity for the financial base within their scope of responsibility.
Job description
The Senior Specialist partners closely with cross functional teams, including finance, marketing, Integrated Account Management, market access, customer contract management, government pricing, policy, IT, legal, compliance, audit and corporate teams to evaluate business performance and identify, evaluate, and execute strategic opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading FP&A activities (month-end close, Budget, Long Range Operating Plans, and other forecasts) covering gross-to-net for the US Market portfolio, including forecasting, reserve and accrual analysis, performance evaluation, and presentation of financial results, with a focus on accuracy and compliance.
- Partnering with the US Controllers Team and internal and external auditors to determine and validate our company US Revenue financial results.
- Providing business advice, customer segment and gross-to-net guidance and insights to Integrated Account Management, Marketing, Investor Relations, and other Finance teams.
- Developing and applying expertise regarding Managed Markets impacts on commercial strategies and product performance, incorporating market events (e.g. regulatory changes, competitive dynamics, product life cycle, etc.)
- Support special projects requiring Managed Markets knowledge such as system changes, analyses of market events, and business development activities.
- Identifying and integrating best practices to continue to evolve our company gross-to-net business processes.
Position Qualifications
Required Experience and Skills: BS/BA degree, preferably in Accounting or Finance. At least two years of analytical financial accounting or forecasting experience with extensive use of Excel.
Preferred Experience and Skills: CPA or MBA. Strong compliance focus, financial acumen, analytical skills, and knowledge of finance systems and planning and reporting processes. Accounting knowledge/experience. Strong computer skills; proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, think-cell, AI, and advanced analytics. Management presentation – developed and delivered presentations to company management. Understanding role of managed care/payer segments in US Pharmaceutical market. Experience with SAP and financial databases (eg, SAP BPC, IBM TM1, Model N). Desire to drive efficiencies and implement new ways of working; ability to adopt and apply new technology and techniques.
Requirements
- BS/BA degree, preferably in Accounting or Finance
- At least two years of analytical financial accounting or forecasting experience
- Extensive use of Excel
- CPA or MBA (preferred)
- Strong compliance focus
- Financial acumen and analytical skills
- Knowledge of finance systems and planning and reporting processes
- Accounting knowledge/experience
- Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, think-cell, AI, and advanced analytics
- Management presentation experience
- Understanding of managed care/payer segments in US Pharmaceutical market
- Experience with SAP and financial databases (SAP BPC, IBM TM1, Model N)
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Retirement Benefits
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate & Sick Days
- Annual Bonus
- Long-Term Incentive
Company overview
Merck & Co., Inc., known as Merck in the United States and Canada and MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) internationally, is a premier American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891 as the U.S. subsidiary of the German Merck Group, the company became independent following World War I and has since grown into one of the world's largest biomedical companies, ranking fourth globally by revenue. Merck operates across three core business segments: pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health products. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking research and development, having brought numerous life-saving medicines to market including Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a leading immunotherapy for cancer treatment that generated $29.5 billion in 2024 revenue, and Gardasil, a revolutionary HPV vaccine. With approximately 75,000 employees worldwide, Merck maintains a robust pipeline of innovative therapies focused on oncology, vaccines, hospital acute care, cardiology, neuroscience, virology, immunology, and diabetes. The company invests heavily in R&D, spending $17.9 billion in 2024 alone, demonstrating its commitment to advancing scientific discovery. Merck's legacy spans over 130 years of bringing hope to humanity through important medicines and vaccines, operating with a purpose to use leading-edge science to save and improve lives globally while fostering an inclusive workforce and responsible business practices.