Job Description
The Pediatrics & New Launches Sr. Specialist – Vaccines COEC will be responsible for leading the commercial and marketing strategy of the pediatric portfolio in Colombia and Ecuador, driving sustainable brand growth through the development of integrated strategies, cross-functional leadership, and close collaboration with commercial teams, sales force, and cross-functional teams outside the business unit.
As the owner of the pediatric portfolio, you will lead the construction of the Brand Plan, forecasting, business performance analysis, and prioritization of commercial initiatives for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and consumers (HCC), ensuring proper execution of the strategy in both countries under the leadership of the Franchise Product Manager.
Additionally, this role will act as a Center of Excellence for new franchise launches, leading commercial preparation, the Launch Excellence Framework, and cross-functional coordination with Medical Affairs, Access, Policy, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Commercial Operations, and other strategic areas to ensure successful implementation of future portfolio assets. This role will also serve as a key strategic development position within the franchise, with the objective of building leadership capabilities, portfolio vision, and decision-making that will enable you to progressively assume greater responsibilities over the total vaccines portfolio.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Lead the comprehensive pediatric portfolio strategy.
Develop and implement the commercial and marketing strategy for pediatric portfolio brands, aligning business priorities with market needs in Colombia and Ecuador.
2. Lead business performance.
Act as Business Owner of the pediatric portfolio, leading the Brand Plan, Forecasting, Business Performance, and acceleration of brand growth.
3. Lead commercial strategy alongside Sales.
Work in an integrated manner with the sales manager and Sales Force and commercial teams to develop initiatives that strengthen field execution, maximize brand adoption, and improve customer experience.
4. Act as Center of Excellence for new launches.
Act as leader of the end-to-end launch process for new vaccine franchises, developing the Go-to-Market strategy, Launch Readiness Framework, and integration of the commercial, scientific, and operational capabilities necessary to ensure successful launches with HCPs, internal teams, and key stakeholders. You will be responsible for establishing a model of excellence and governance that strengthens the preparation and execution of future portfolio assets.
5. Lead cross-functional projects.
Coordinate strategic initiatives with Medical Affairs, Access, Policy, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial Operations, mobilizing multidisciplinary teams to ensure achievement of business objectives.
6. Generate strategic market insights.
Analyze trends, competitive behavior, portfolio performance, and market opportunities to support strategic decision-making and brand evolution.
7. Adapt and maximize the value of global and regional assets for new launches.
Analyze, localize, and adapt global and regional launch assets, ensuring their alignment with local market needs, franchise strategic priorities, and Compliance requirements, in order to enable consistent, relevant, and high-impact execution with HCPs, internal teams, and key stakeholders.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
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Professional degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, Economics, Health Sciences, or related fields.
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Between 5 to 8 years of experience in Marketing, Product Management, Commercial Excellence, or strategic areas within the pharmaceutical industry, medical devices, or healthcare.
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Experience developing Brand Plans, forecasting, business performance analysis, and execution of commercial strategies.
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Experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing multidisciplinary teams without direct authority.
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Demonstrated ability to analyze market information, generate strategic insights, and convert them into action plans with commercial impact.
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Desirable experience in product launches, portfolio management, or strategic projects within the pharmaceutical industry.
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Knowledge of regulatory and Compliance principles applicable to the pharmaceutical industry.
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Intermediate-advanced English level.
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High commitment to ethics, integrity, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
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Ability to understand business financial drivers, evaluate investments, prioritize resources, and connect strategic decisions with impact on sales, profitability, and sustainable growth.
SKILLS
Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop portfolio strategies aligned with business priorities and market needs.
Business Acumen: Solid understanding of the business, results orientation, and ability to translate financial and commercial information into strategic decisions.
Leadership and Influence: Ability to mobilize multidisciplinary teams, generate alignment, and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret data, build scenarios, and generate business recommendations based on evidence.
Project Management: Skill to lead multiple initiatives simultaneously, ensuring disciplined execution and achievement of strategic milestones.
Innovation and Growth Mindset: Ability to identify market opportunities, challenge the status quo, and develop solutions that create business value.
Communication and Influence: Excellent skills to communicate strategic ideas and build credibility with commercial, medical, and leadership teams.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to build strong relationships and work in an integrated manner with local, regional, and multifunctional teams.
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Agile Methodology, Animal Health Sales, Business Performance Management, Business Value Creation, Creative Campaign Development, Customer Experience Improvement, Go-to-Market Strategies, Interpersonal Relationships, Investments Analysis, Market Analysis, Marketing Budget Management, Marketing Data Analysis, Marketing Strategy Implementation, Market Research, Market Sensing, Pharmaceutical Management, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pricing Strategies, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Project Management, Regulatory Compliance, Strategic Planning {+ 2 more}
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:
Hybrid
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
07/27/2026
*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.
