Specialist, Planning & Scheduling (m/f/d)

Job Description

The Specialist, Operations Planning role is focused on reliable execution of assigned activities, support for larger programs or workstreams, clear communication of status and issues and timely escalation with appropriate guidance.

The role works independently on standard assignments and seeks guidance from the manager or senior colleagues for non-routine issues, conflicting priorities or decisions outside assigned responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Assigned scope delivery and priority execution

• Deliver assigned planning tasks and portions of larger programs, projects or workstreams in line with agreed priorities, timelines and procedures.
• Apply standard planning processes, tools, systems and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) expectations to complete routine to moderately complex assignments.
• Organize own activities, follow agreed priorities and keep manager or senior colleagues informed on progress, constraints and support needs.
• Escalate conflicts, decisions, or trade-offs early when guidance or alignment is required.

Planning execution and business continuity support

• Support planning execution for assigned portions of programs, processes or workstreams.
• Track required inputs, dependencies, constraints and open items related to own tasks.
• Communicate progress, missing information, workload concerns or potential continuity risks early.

Performance, risk and escalation management

• Monitor assigned tasks for schedule, quality, compliance, capacity or data-related issues.
• Flag conflicts, deviations from agreed plans, missing inputs or blockers and provide relevant facts to support resolution.
• Escalate risks or decisions outside own responsibility promptly and follow guidance on next actions.

Stakeholder engagement and communication

• Communicates status, open items, constraints and support needs within assigned scope.
• Collect and clarify required inputs from business and functional partners.
• Provide accurate updates and contribute factual input to meetings or discussions when requested.

Knowledge sharing and team contribution

• Share practical learnings, process updates and useful information with colleagues.
• Support documentation, knowledge transfer or onboarding activities when requested and within own experience.
• Apply team expectations, collaborate constructively, seek feedback and escalate questions early.

Continuous improvement and transformation

• Identify practical improvement ideas in own tasks, processes, documentation or tools and share them with manager or senior colleagues.
• Complete assigned actions that support approved standardization, digitalization or transformation activities.
• Apply new ways of working within own responsibilities and provide feedback on implementation challenges.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Business Administration, Business Continuity, Business Information Systems, Business Systems, Clinical Trials Operations, Cross-Functional Communications, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Documentations, Driving Continuous Improvement, Financial Forecasting, GMP Compliance, Inbound Logistics, Inventory Control Management, Life Science, Logistics Management, Medical Supply Management, MRP Systems, Production Planning, Six Sigma, Stakeholder Communications, Stakeholder Engagement {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Secondary Language(s) Job Description:

Your Profile:

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, Life Sciences or a related field.
• Proven English proficiency is required, with the ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English.
• Initial relevant professional experience in supply chain, operations planning, clinical supply, manufacturing, packaging, logistics or a related business environment.
• Experience working with planning processes, business systems, data tracking, documentation or cross-functional coordination is preferred.
• Basic understanding of GMP, SOP, quality or regulated business requirements is an advantage.
• Experience using SAP or other ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams.
• Ability to manage assigned deliverables, track priorities and maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional and international team environment.
• Strong attention to detail, reliability and ability to follow defined processes and procedures.
• Interests in continuous improvement, standardization, digitalization or process optimization activities.
• Familiarity with clinical supply chain operations, packaging activities, labeling processes or related regulated operations is an advantage.

Secondary Locations

The salary range for this role is US $87,300 - $137,400

Please note that the outlined salary applies to US.  

Where a role has other listed locations different compensation guidelines may apply. Our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location of application. 

THE COMPANY

Our Company is a leading biopharmaceutical company employing over 1,000 people in Switzerland at three sites. The company’s headquarters are in Lucerne. At the site in Zurich, the company operates a global innovation and development hub. In addition, we manufacture medicines for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory in Schachen (Canton Lucerne). We conduct around 40 clinical trials annually in Switzerland. The main therapeutic areas include oncology, infectious diseases, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. We also have a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents, and adults and we are one of the leading companies in veterinary medicine. Furthermore, we take our responsibility to the local community seriously and have been involved for many years in initiatives such as the «Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern» and the «Alliance Health Competence». 

We are proud to be certified as a “Top Employer Switzerland” and “Top Employer Europe” showing the company’s commitment to our employees and the community around us.

Our Werthenstein BioPharma site in Schachen is where we conduct cutting-edge research, develop and analyze new biological agents and supply clinical trial products for global clinical studies. The site is also home to one of our global forensic laboratories where we carefully monitor our products through the supply chain to ensure security and safety for our patients.

Search 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:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

07/30/2026

*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.

Requisition ID:R407269