Head of Portfolio Operations - Strategic Programs

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Merck Group is seeking a Head of Portfolio Operations, Strategic Programs in Bedford, MA with on-site options in Danvers or Burlington. The role is the strategic bridge between business priorities and global operations, translating market demand and portfolio strategy into actionable requirements for Operations, guiding capacity, investments, quality, and footprint decisions, and serving as the single business voice to the Value Stream. You will lead a senior team, frame risk, and drive launches and growth initiatives in governance forums. Requirements: bachelor’s in business, engineering, life sciences, or related field; 10+ years in strategy or operations; global cross-functional leadership; travel up to 20%. Preferred MBA and regulated industry exposure. Tips to apply: tailor your resume to show how you translate demand into operational plans, quantify impact, demonstrate executive influence without direct authority, and highlight cross-functional collaboration and large-scale programs. US pay range $165,500 – $292,600.

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join MilliporeSigma.

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.  

Your Role

In this pivotal role, you will serve as the strategic bridge between business priorities and operational execution – translating market demand, portfolio strategy, and commercial objectives into clear, prioritized, and actionable requirements for a global operations organization. You will own the end-to-end definition of business and market demand toward Operations, ensuring that decisions on capacity, capabilities, investments, quality, and supply are fully aligned with long-range strategic goals. Leading a team of senior experts, you will act as the single, integrated business counterpart to the Value Stream organization – replacing fragmented functional inputs with one consolidated, authoritative business voice. You will define and steer business-led investment needs, including capital expenditure and footprint decisions, through governance forums, while owning long-range operational demand planning aligned with portfolio strategy and market outlook. You will frame business risk – spanning supply, quality, and continuity – and define mitigation expectations toward Operations and senior leadership. Representing the business in enterprise planning and governance forums, you will drive operational readiness for launches, portfolio changes, and growth initiatives, and design the operational processes that enable the franchise to scale with confidence.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Life Sciences, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in strategy, portfolio management, commercial operations, supply chain, or business leadership
• Demonstrated leadership of large-scale, cross-functional initiatives in a global environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or advanced degree
• Experience in Life Science, Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, or similarly complex regulated industries
• Strong understanding of how market demand translates into operational requirements and investment decisions
• Proven experience influencing executive stakeholders and driving business-level decision-making without direct authority
• Background working across both commercial and operational environments
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and a customer- and market-oriented mindset
• Exceptional communicator and influencer; skilled at building alignment and collaboration across organizational boundaries
• Comfortable leading through complexity and ambiguity; data-driven, decisive, and execution-focused
• Up to 20% travel

Location: Bedford, MA; Danvers, MA or Burlington, MA

US Pay Range: $165,500 – $292,600

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here.

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!