Job Description Market Access and Partnerships Manager Our Australian Ruminant Business Unit (BU) is currently transforming into a multifaceted livestock health solution provider with a diversified portfolio of OTC and S4 medicines, vaccines, and innovative Identification and Technology products. We are building a new kind of animal healthcare business – one that is shaping the future of animal health and production systems, focused on disease prevention and on-going traceability & animal health monitoring. THE OPPORTUNITY We have an exciting opportunity for an exceptional Market Access and Partnerships Manager to play a critical role in supporting the Ruminant & Swine Business Unit team by developing & implementing strategies to shape the future of animal health in the segments within which we operate. This position is key to promoting the company brand of Animal Health, and associated product or service brands to industry groups, government, policy makers, and industry influencers involved with strategy and market development; providing thought leadership & advocacy for meaningful change that aligns with the company’s strategic direction, for the benefit of the industry and the company. Through creating stakeholder strategies & management plans, this role will bring key knowledge of critical industry and government strategic direction and plans to allow better engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders, and act with urgency when opportunities arise with these stakeholders. This role will bring key insights into the business unit, and collaborate with key commercial, business development, and market development roles to develop and implement strategies and activities that will progress the company’s interests and create pathways for both in-line and new products to be readily adopted and integrated into national programs. WHAT YOU WILL DO With a focus on technology and traceability for cattle & sheep, the role will also have accountability across biopharmaceuticals, data services, and other portfolio areas or species as required. Develop and implement a national strategy to identify, pursue, and manage strategic relationships & partnerships with (but not limited to) governments, industry bodies, breed groups and influencing bodies that align with business objectives and contribute to long-term growth. Develop stakeholder maps and plans nationally, to engage and collaborate with identified priority stakeholders for key portfolio areas. Develop ethical relationships with key government & industry stakeholders identified through mapping processes to shape future interactions between company and stakeholder organisations. Develop core messages and compelling arguments to drive stakeholder engagement and activities where the company may collaborate to shape the future of livestock industries. Track and monitor key government or industry funding programs and develop timely tender submissions to capture opportunities that might benefit company business activities. Track legislative and policy developments at state and federal levels, identifying their implications for the company. Develop a deep understanding of red meat & dairy supply chains, from paddock to processor to retailer/exporter, to enable the company to understand both current opportunities for in-line products & services and identify and guide future opportunities for the company. Develop an understanding of dairy product supply chain, from farm to processor to retailer to understand both current opportunities for in-line products & services and identify and guide future opportunities for the company. Evolve supply chain knowledge to other species as required. Oversee the integration of partnership strategies, ensuring alignment between internal teams, such as sales, marketing, and technical services. Collaborate with other functions, primarily marketing, sales and technical roles to drive opportunities for in-line products, and associated brand strategies, but also provide insights for the new product pipeline. Develop relationships with other roles involved with business development, market development or policy management. Proactively monitor external environment, customers and competitors, to identify risks and opportunities ABOUT YOU You will be passionate about making a difference to livestock industries, farmers and Australian agriculture. You thrive in a team environment of similarly passionate people, but exhibit a high level of self-motivation, drive, and self-leadership, able thrive in an environment of high growth, but at times, ambiguity. You will have the following key attributes: Experience with stakeholder mapping & management Ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders, demonstrating confidence at all levels within an organization Experience working with government agencies and key industry bodies, preferably in agriculture Negotiation: can effectively drive discussions and decisions toward desired outcomes Strategy development and implementation Intimate knowledge of the Australian beef, sheep & dairy industries Results-focused and self-motivated; action oriented Interpersonal effectiveness, particularly in working productively under pressure Project and time-management skills – able to handle multiple tasks under time pressure Commercial acumen, with strong collaboration capabilities within a highly matrixed organisation Change Catalyst – demonstrates comfort with ambiguity, and an ability to navigate and drive change Written and oral communication skills; competence with key software programs Excellent professional judgement, decision-making and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to act decisively using evidence-based reasoning Suitable undergraduate degree in animal sciences, agricultural science, business, law or similar. MBA advantageous. Experience in animal health or agricultural industries would be desirable, plus at least 10 years in a commercial role with stakeholder management, market development or business development or similar. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT Opportunity to make a positive impact impact, driving adoption and industry engagement with our technologies. in the adoption of our innovative and market leading vaccine range and performance improvement technologies in the Australian Feedlot industry Use your in-depth knowledge of the Australian Beef Cattle industry in combination with strong commercial acumen, to make an impact inFeel empowered a within a highly motivated team, gaining experience rewarding role in a major Global Company Fantastic opportunity to join a high performing Sales Team and a Business Unit going through a period of significant transformation and exciting positive change Our Animal Health division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicines & technologies, dedicated to the health and well-being of animals, and the people who own and support them. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world’s food supply and have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society and our planet. We offer one of our industry’s most innovative portfolio of products, services and technologies that serve to prevent, treat, and control diseases across all major farm and companion animal species. We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. Current Employees apply HERE 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: Regular Relocation: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): Required Skills: Adaptability, Agile Principles, Brand Marketing, Creativity, Customer Insights, Financial Analysis, Market Access, Marketing, Marketing Campaign Development, Market Research, Pricing Strategies, Product Management, Promotions Management, Sales Support, Stakeholder Influence, Strategic Market Analysis, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking Preferred Skills: Job Posting End Date: 10/16/2025 *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. Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.
