Diversity In Action

Merck's merger with Schering-Plough will open many jobs

While recruitment details aren't final, appointment of a diversity recruitment programs manager shows that the merged company means business

The recent merger with Schering-Plough makes Merck the second-largest pharmaceutical company in the world. Clearly, it offers engineers and IT pros countless opportunities in R&D, industrial engineering, IT integration of the two companies and everything in between, says Marlon Doles, diversity recruitment programs manager.

Doles' role is new. He focuses on diversity and university recruitment, primarily enhancing existing partnerships with diversity recruitment organizations and other industry partners, "boutique" search firms and outreach partners like the American Heart Association. The creation of his job is another indication that Merck means business in its quest to attract top talent from a diverse pool of applicants, he says.

With Merck still in the post-merger phase the ultimate number of open positions is not known. But Doles is ready to tackle diversity conferences, job fairs and college campuses to seek out the best and brightest. Jobs will include anything from scale-up engineers with ChE backgrounds to EEs and IEs. Biological engineers are also needed for various R&D areas.

"We also have computer engineering, and within the IT organization there are opportunities from helpdesk to project management to working on some of the new computer systems that will come with integration and the merger." A number of new systems have already been launched in that connection, including a "huge integration" of SAP. A lot of techies will continue working on that for the next couple of years, Doles notes, and "We're hiring for projects like these and others."

In many areas site or plant experience is key, Doles says. Experience in the packaged goods area is also desired, even if it was acquired in other industries. "Most people with packaged goods experience have commercialization process experience as well, which is key," he says.

Experience needed in chemical and biological engineering depends on the area. For example, the Merck research lab requires specific experience in the type of research being done, and scale-up experience could be important for ChEs.

IT experience of all kinds is sought. SAP is needed, of course. A lot of jobs look for Dreamweaver experience, and other Web skills like HTML are needed. "One of the most difficult skill sets to source for is IT pros with people management experience," Doles adds.

Merck hires some people straight out of college, and has an internship program that hosted more than 300 interns this past summer. But five to seven years' experience is needed for most of the jobs now available.

To tap a diverse candidate pool Merck has partnerships with HBCUs Hampton, Howard and North Carolina A&T, and works with NSBE, SHPE and SWE on both a local and national level. In all, the company visits a core group of more than two dozen schools.

To promote diversity in the workplace, Merck's Web-based training module is strongly encouraged for new employees. A variety of diversity awareness activities are arranged through nine employee resource groups (ERGs): the Veterans' Leaders Network, the Differently Abled, the Women's Network, and others focused on African Americans, Hispanics, indigenous people, Asians and the LGBT community. There's also an Interfaith Network.

The groups are run by their members. Although each has an advisor or executive sponsor, "All the programming, all the events, all the mentoring is done by the specific groups and their members," Doles says. Some of the groups plan programs and activities around Black History, Hispanic and Asian Heritage months; members also participate in community service and sponsor professional development programs and activities.

The company has a global diversity council, plus global constituency groups formed primarily of people at senior- or mid-professional levels, Doles says. The global groups, for women, men, specific generations, Hispanic, Black, Asian Pacific and indigenous people, are structured with the understanding that diversity is a key competitive advantage and will help in moving the organization forward.

Volunteerism is big at Merck. Employees have worked with Habitat for Humanity and the LGBT employee resources groups, and participated in community service projects in various locations.

Work/life balance is another key aspect of Merck's "employee value proposition," Doles says. "We have a truly flexible work environment, heavily promoted out of the office of diversity and inclusion." Amenities include onsite childcare at most large sites, gym facilities, health screenings and, in some locations, onsite doctor appointments and bloodwork.

Domestic partner benefits are also offered, Doles concludes.

D/C