HR Specialist

Job Description

We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. At our company, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Join us and use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.

We are looking for a hands-on, execution-focused HR professional who supports day-to-day labor and people processes while contributing to strategy, process improvement and short-term projects. This role partners with managers and COE teams to deliver practical HR solutions that improve the employee experience, strengthen capability frameworks, and support business goals. The role also owns execution and communications for HR programs and tracks KPIs and global initiatives to ensure alignment and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and report on core HR governance metrics and KPIs (turnover, time-to-fill, onboarding completion, absence, etc.), producing regular dashboards and insights for HR leadership.
• Support policy governance maintain the local HR policy tracker, recommend adjustments to ensure compliance with local labor law and global standards, and document approvals and version control.
• Partner with HRBPs and HR Lead to translate strategic priorities into measurable initiatives and short-term projects.
• Lead and deliver short-term HR projects as needed (process remediations, urgent staffing support, policy implementation sprints), demonstrating flexible planning and rapid execution.
• Provide hands-on support during peak cycles (e.g., large hiring waves, restructures, audits).
• Act as primary HR point of contact to managers for processes related to hiring, promotions and terminations advise on local labor requirements, guide managers through administrative processes, and provide status updates until closure.
• Lead improvements to onboarding processes to enhance new-hire integration and time-to-productivity (pre-boarding checklists, role-specific onboarding plans, buddy programs, among others).
• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate administrative HR processes (onboarding workflows, status-change approvals, HRIS data quality) and participate in design, testing and rollout of automation solutions.
• Maintain process documentation and contribute to continuous improvement efforts to reduce manual effort and increase data accuracy.
• Act as local delivery partner for COE-led programs such as L&D offerings, performance assessments, compensation initiatives and engagement surveys — support scheduling, communications and local implementation.
• Track progress of global HR initiatives and local adoption; escalate blockers and recommend localized adjustments when appropriate.
• Draft and manage internal communications related to HR processes, program launches, policy changes and key deadlines; ensure messages are clear, timely and aligned with global guidance.
• Produce manager-facing materials and quick reference guides to support consistent local execution.
• Drive agendas, pre-reads, decisions, and action follow-up for D&I Council meetings.
• Develop internal communications EBRGs calendar and coordinate with Comms to align on how and when we should communicate.
• Own or coordinate the D&I budget and track spend.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology or related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in generalist HR roles supporting clients, hiring, onboarding, employee relations and HR operations.
• Familiarity with local labor law and strong experience handling employee lifecycle transactions (hires, terminations, leaves, changes).
  
  

Preferred

• Experience with HR process improvement and automation.
• Strong project management skills and ability to lead short-term HR projects.
• Excellent communication skills and experience in drafting internal communications.
  
  

Required Skills

Accountability, Adaptability, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), Hiring, HR Analytics, HR Automation, HR Best Practices, HR Documentation, HR Reporting, HR Systems Implementation, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), Human Resource Management, Human Resources (HR) Auditing, Human Resources (HR) Technology, Human Resources Analytics, Legal Regulatory Compliance, Recruiting, Recruiting Processes, Talent Management

Preferred Skills

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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

Project Temps (Fixed Term)

Relocation

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

no

Job Posting End Date

02/21/2026

• 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 R384570