Associate Director, Strategic Forecasting
Merck, Rahway, NJ, United States
Job Description
The Associate Director, Strategic Forecasting is responsible for developing strategic forecasts for a set of products and indications, interpreting their implications, generating insights, and communicating them to the business to support marketing strategy. The role collaborates closely with Market Research, Data Science, Payer Analytics, Global and Regional Marketing, Market Access, Finance, and other DHH functions to build a comprehensive market view and drive forecasting insights.
Primary Responsibilities
Work with the Strategic Forecasting Insights Director to determine appropriate forecast modeling approaches, tools, and techniques for assigned assets and indications.
Partner with BIA, Market Research, Data Science, Payer Analytics, and other DHH functions to develop insight strategies and secure inputs for strategic forecasting.
Develop and deliver forecasts and forecasting insights for the company’s enterprise forecasting process, coordinating with US and India-based colleagues.
Support ongoing analysis of performance against forecast and communicate drivers to the business.
Engage closely with Marketing, Market Access, and Finance to align on inputs, outputs, and overall forecasting insights for each cycle.
Apply a range of forecasting capabilities to support business strategy and decision-making.
Collaborate with large matrixed teams, ensuring consistent teamwork across functions.
Communicate the forecasting process, inputs, and insights clearly to ensure alignment across stakeholders.
Facilitate problem‑solving among DHH functional colleagues and business stakeholders on targeted business questions.
Serve as a thought leader and strategic partner, building trust‑based relationships with business partners.
Identify priorities and develop forecasting solutions that support business objectives in collaboration with broader commercial insight teams.
Education Minimum Requirements
Undergraduate degree in a related discipline.
Required Experience and Skills
Minimum 5+ years in delivering complex analytical projects in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry using market research and/or large patient or physician databases.
Experience building forecast models and related analytics (scenario analysis, business case development, etc.).
Demonstrated ability to work in highly cross‑functional, matrixed teams and lead without authority.
Strong problem‑solving skills and proficiency in data‑oriented analytical methods.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Organizational skills to create structure in an unstructured environment; ability to prioritize effectively.
Knowledge of business processes and ability to translate business questions into hypotheses and analytical requirements.
Preferred Experience and Skills
Therapeutic area experience in oncology, vaccines, or pharma/rare.
Advanced forecasting experience, including patient‑ and trend‑based models, advanced scenarios, and simulations.
Consultative business partner experience.
Prior experience in functions such as Marketing, Market Access, Finance, Market Research, Data Science, or Market Access Insights.
Required Skills Business Analysis, Marketing, Numerical Analysis, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, Waterfall Model.
Preferred Skills None specified.
Travel Requirements 10% travel expected.
Compensation $156,900.00 – $247,000.00 annual salary range.
Employee Constraints Only US and Puerto Rico residents; remote and hybrid work arrangements not fully detailed.
EEO Statement As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities and comply with all applicable anti‑discrimination laws.
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Primary Responsibilities
Work with the Strategic Forecasting Insights Director to determine appropriate forecast modeling approaches, tools, and techniques for assigned assets and indications.
Partner with BIA, Market Research, Data Science, Payer Analytics, and other DHH functions to develop insight strategies and secure inputs for strategic forecasting.
Develop and deliver forecasts and forecasting insights for the company’s enterprise forecasting process, coordinating with US and India-based colleagues.
Support ongoing analysis of performance against forecast and communicate drivers to the business.
Engage closely with Marketing, Market Access, and Finance to align on inputs, outputs, and overall forecasting insights for each cycle.
Apply a range of forecasting capabilities to support business strategy and decision-making.
Collaborate with large matrixed teams, ensuring consistent teamwork across functions.
Communicate the forecasting process, inputs, and insights clearly to ensure alignment across stakeholders.
Facilitate problem‑solving among DHH functional colleagues and business stakeholders on targeted business questions.
Serve as a thought leader and strategic partner, building trust‑based relationships with business partners.
Identify priorities and develop forecasting solutions that support business objectives in collaboration with broader commercial insight teams.
Education Minimum Requirements
Undergraduate degree in a related discipline.
Required Experience and Skills
Minimum 5+ years in delivering complex analytical projects in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry using market research and/or large patient or physician databases.
Experience building forecast models and related analytics (scenario analysis, business case development, etc.).
Demonstrated ability to work in highly cross‑functional, matrixed teams and lead without authority.
Strong problem‑solving skills and proficiency in data‑oriented analytical methods.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Organizational skills to create structure in an unstructured environment; ability to prioritize effectively.
Knowledge of business processes and ability to translate business questions into hypotheses and analytical requirements.
Preferred Experience and Skills
Therapeutic area experience in oncology, vaccines, or pharma/rare.
Advanced forecasting experience, including patient‑ and trend‑based models, advanced scenarios, and simulations.
Consultative business partner experience.
Prior experience in functions such as Marketing, Market Access, Finance, Market Research, Data Science, or Market Access Insights.
Required Skills Business Analysis, Marketing, Numerical Analysis, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, Waterfall Model.
Preferred Skills None specified.
Travel Requirements 10% travel expected.
Compensation $156,900.00 – $247,000.00 annual salary range.
Employee Constraints Only US and Puerto Rico residents; remote and hybrid work arrangements not fully detailed.
EEO Statement As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities and comply with all applicable anti‑discrimination laws.
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