Senior Specialist, Master Data Quality Management, Hybrid

As part of the Global Clinical Supplies (GCS) Organization, the Sr. Specialist, Master Data Quality Management is responsible for driving data quality, governance, stewardship, and operational excellence across critical master data domains supporting Global Clinical Supply Operations (GCSO). This role helps ensure that master data is accurate, complete, compliant, and fit-for-purpose to support planning, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, regulatory compliance, and business decision-making. The individual partners with Data Owners, Process Stewards, IT, Business Operations, and Analytics teams to establish data quality controls, monitor performance through dashboards and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), facilitate remediation, and support continuous improvement initiatives. The role is a key contributor to our Company’s Data Governance program and digital transformation strategy., Master Data Quality Management

• Executes quality monitoring, reviews rule compliance.
• Investigates exceptions, supports root cause analysis.
• Coordinates issue remediation.

Data Governance and Stewardship

• Participates in governance forums, supports standards and metadata, promotes accountability, and works with data owners and process stewards.

Reporting and Analytics

• Maintains dashboards, scorecards, KPI reporting, trend analysis, and leadership-ready insights on data quality performance.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Supports Good (anything) Practices (GxP) compliant data processes,Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring and Available (ALCOA+) data integrity expectations, audit readiness, documentation, escalation, and Corrective And Prevention Action (CAPA) related follow-up.

Process Improvement and Digital Enablement

• Identify opportunities to improve point-of-entry controls, reduce manual work, standardize workflows, and support Master Data Management (MDM) tool and (Systems Applications and Products In Data Processing) SAP transformation initiatives.

Detailed Responsibilities

Master Data Quality Management

• Execute and maintain data quality monitoring processes for material master and related master data domains.
• Monitor adherence to approved data quality rules, standards, and governance requirements.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve data quality exceptions through root cause analysis.
• Coordinate remediation activities with Data Owners and Business Stakeholders.
• Maintain data quality thresholds, scorecards, and performance metrics.
• Support periodic review and optimization of data validation rules and controls.

Data Governance and Stewardship

• Serve as a Master Data Steward for assigned data domains.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise Data Governance standards and operating procedures.
• Participate in Data Governance Councils, Community of Practice forums, and stewardship meetings.
• Facilitate ownership assignment and accountability for data quality issues.
• Assist with development and maintenance of business definitions, metadata, and data standards.
• Promote adoption of governance policies across global teams.

Data Quality Reporting and Analytics

• Develop and maintain operational dashboards and KPI reports.
• Analyze trends, recurring issues, and compliance risks.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Support executive reporting related to data quality performance, remediation progress, and governance effectiveness.
• Partner with analytics teams to enhance automated monitoring and reporting capabilities.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Support GxP-compliant master data processes and controls.
• Ensure adherence to ALCOA+, data integrity, and audit readiness requirements.
• Assist with internal and external audits related to master data management.
• Document investigations, corrective actions, and preventive actions associated with data quality issues.
• Monitor compliance risks and escalate issues appropriately.

Process Improvement and Digital Enablement

• Identify opportunities to reduce manual effort and improve data quality at the point of entry.
• Support implementation and enhancement of Master Data Management tools and workflow solutions.
• Participate in data governance transformation initiatives.
• Drive automation and standardization opportunities within master data processes.
• Contribute to SAP Enterprise Core Component (ECC) and SAP S/4HANA master data improvement initiatives., Key Performance Indicators
• Data Quality Rule Compliance percentage.
• Critical data defect reduction.
• Data remediation cycle time.
• Audit findings related to master data.
• Governance meeting participation and closure rate.
• Dashboard adoption and utilization of metrics.
• Reduction in manual corrections and rework.
• On-time resolution of data quality incidents.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to influence without authority in a global matrixed environment.
• Continuous improvement mindset with pragmatic execution discipline.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work effectively with global, regional, site-based, technical, and business teams., * Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Information Systems, Data Management, Engineering, Life Sciences, Business Administration, or a related discipline., * 5+ years in Master Data Management, Data Governance, Data Quality Management, or ERP business processes.
• 3+ years working with SAP ECC and/or SAP S/4HANA, data stewardship, and reporting or analytics.

Technical Skills

• SAP ECC / SAP S/4HANA, MDM principles, data quality methodologies, data governance frameworks, Power BI, Databricks, Streamlit, Tableau preferred, Microsoft Office, advanced Excel, data analysis, and visualization., * Experience with SAP MDG, Informatica IDQ, Syniti, or SimpleMDG; or equivalent; DAMA/CDMP or comparable data governance certification; regulated and pharma (life sciences) industry experience., Adaptability, Business Management, Change Management, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Cross-Functional Leadership, Data Analysis, Data Governance, Data Quality, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Interpersonal Relationships, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Project Management, Reporting Tools, Standards Compliance

Preferred Skills:

Continuous Improvement, Leadership

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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.