Job Description
For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science. Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technology. Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way.
Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence. Because when it comes to animal health, no one sees it like we do.
Our Field Sales Development Representatives engage face to face and virtually with customers, quickly build strong relationships, understand their needs, and consult to offer the right solutions. Working collaboratively as part of our Companion Animal Field Sales Team, this role is critical to supporting our customer-centric business model.
The Field Sales Development Representative will focus on selling companion animal products within vacant territories across the United States. This individual will temporarily reside in the vacant territory and move from territory to territory as business needs arise.
In this role, you will work closely with the Regional Manager who holds quota responsibility for the vacant territory to:
- Understand and identify veterinary clinic and corporate account customer needs
- Sell our Company’s Animal Health products
- Support pull‑through activities aligned with customer strategy
- Ensure our Company is viewed as bringing value and technical innovation consistent with our strategic focus, The Science of Healthier Animals®
Essential Accountabilities:
- Quickly build rapport with key customers, including distribution partners, to provide immediate impact in covering vacant territories.
- Communicate product information in a way that is meaningful and relevant to each individual customer; tailor discussions and interactions based on an understanding of each customer’s needs.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customers; schedule and conduct meetings with key personnel/decision makers to understand practice structure, business model, key influencers (Owner/Practice Manager/Key Technician/Associate Veterinarian), customer needs, and business opportunities.
- Develop customer strategies that define interaction plans, relationship objectives, solutions, partner involvement, and potential offerings, resulting in sales opportunities and sales growth for our Company’s Animal Health companion animal products and services.
- Create territory and account plans for all key customers. Partner with National Account Managers, Corporate Account Teams, and Distribution Partners to maintain strong focus on key accounts and corporate-owned clinics to drive occupancy and sales growth.
- Share learnings and best practices across customers to help them meet their needs. Collaborate with other team members to support team growth and development.
- Analyze monthly sales results and manage expenses within budget guidelines.
- Identify and select Company Animal Health programs and services that address customer needs and provide education and training opportunities for accounts.
- Collaborate with the Manager, Marketing, Commercial Operations, and Professional Services Veterinarians to develop and deliver offerings that address customer needs.
- Maintain a current understanding of our Company’s Animal Health products, industry trends, competitor landscape, business models, key influencers, and network structures; share relevant insights with stakeholders to inform and influence sales strategies.
- Effectively articulate and communicate relevant customer, industry, product, and market trends within the organization.
Required Education & Years of Experience:
- High school diploma with at least 5 years of relevant work experience which could include: professional sales, distribution, experience in marketing, military service, or veterinary/ healthcare/ scientific field (pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical devices) OR
- Bachelor’s Degree with 0-3 years sales experience
Required Skills & Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
- Flexibility and ability to adapt to a changing environment
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 75% nationally
Preferred Experience & Skills:
- Documented sales experience
- Experience selling animal health products and services through veterinary and/or shelter channels
- Knowledge of biological/medical products and ability to engage in dialogue with medical professionals
- Understanding of the role of distribution partners and/or prior experience working with distribution
- Ability and willingness to relocate for future career growth
#MSJR
Required Skills:
Account Management, Account Management, Adaptability, Animal Health Care, Business Decisions, Client Advisory, Customer Engagement, Customer Sales, Data Analysis, Direct Selling, Enterprise Solutions Sales, Inbound Phone Sales, Lead Generation, Market Analytics, Meeting Facilitation, Outside Sales, Performance Metrics, Presentation Delivery, Presenting Solutions, Product Knowledge, Product Sales, Sales Data, Sales Forecasting, Sales Objectives, Sales Pipeline Management {+ 8 more}
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
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.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
The salary range for this role is
$79,200.00 - $124,700.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
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:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
100%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Remote
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
Yes
Hazardous Material(s):
NA
Job Posting End Date:
10/2/2026
*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.
