Global Finance Traineeship - Cost of Sales and Inventory

Job Description

Are you a highly talented finance graduate or early career finance professional seeking a first or new challenge? Join a dynamic team at one of the largest pharma companies in the world! We're hiring an Associate Financial Analyst - Cost Accounting for our Finance Traineeship program in our COSI (Cost of Sales and Inventory) team in Haarlem.

Welcome in our COSI organization

Our Finance team leverages sophisticated financial analysis, planning, accounting, reporting, and performance evaluation techniques to propel medical innovation and enhance human’s and animal’s lives whilst working in a dynamic high-tech and international environment.

In this role, you will be assigned and responsible to manage, analyze and report inventory, production and product cost data, and support monthly accounting close and management cycles for multiple branches across the world. This is role is part of our two-year traineeship program which includes multiple job rotations.

Main responsibilities
Your main tasks will vary by rotation, examples but not limited to:

• Support the global standard cost calculation process, and create and maintain product cost and revision of costs under US GAAP rules.
• Control, analyze, and report production results and variances.
• Review and ensure accurate data is reported for monthly product cost and inventory consolidation close.
• Identify and work on initiatives to improve cost control and increase efficiency.
• Provide accurate and timely financial cost and inventory data to stakeholders.
• Participate in special and ad hoc projects to support management analysis.
• Account for inventory obsolescence reserves
• Above market activities and reportings related to Inventory.
• Support senior specialists or specialists, as needed.

Your profile

• Master's degree in finance/business/administration/economics.
• No to limited experience; No prior work experience required, internships or short-term experiences are a plus.
• Adaptable to changing environment and learning new skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, team player mentality and bridge builder with stakeholders.
• Ambitious, pro-active approach in learning and problem solving.
• Innovative mindset - High sense of responsibility and taking initiative by driving change.
• Fluency in English both verbally and in writing is mandatory.
• Organized with good analytical skills and affinity with tools and systems.
• Flexible in work hours
• Able to see the wider picture and how decisions could affect the site, region, division and company.

What we Offer

Working at our organization means collaborating to improve health in an international environment alongside dedicated colleagues.

You will have every opportunity to develop yourself and show who you are. In addition, you can expect an attractive benefits package, including:

• Competitive salary

• 35.5 vacation days per year

• 8% holiday allowance and a 3% year-end bonus

• Excellent pension plan

• High-quality company restaurant offering fresh and healthy options every day

• On-site sports facilities with classes such as boxing, Zumba, and Pilates

• Excellent coffee prepared by a professional barista

• Game room with a pool table and table tennis table

• Contribution toward your personal gym or sports subscription

• Mental well-being support through Lyra Health for you and your family members

• Access to a dedicated prayer and meditation room

For questions about this vacancy

Please send an email including the vacancy number and job title to the following email address: [email protected]. You can only apply through our website.

Required Skills:

Accounting Applications, Audit Support, Budgeting, Cost Accounting, Credit Assessment, Credit Management, Detail-Oriented, ERP Financial Systems, Financial Accounting Controls, Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, General Ledger Reconciliations, Internal Controls, Preparation of Financial Reports, Variance Analysis

Preferred Skills:

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:

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):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

09/10/2026

*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.