Jean-Charles Wirth

Jean-Charles Wirth is head of Applied Solutions at the Life Science business of Merck. In this role, he oversees commercial, services, dealer relations, marketing, product management, strategy, business development and research activities for the Applied Solutions business unit.

Prior to leading Applied Solutions, Wirth was head of Controlling at the Life Science business of Merck. In this role, he provided financial decision support on a wide scope of operational and strategic matters and managed all areas of financial responsibility, including financial reporting and forecasting, business analysis, resource allocation and capital planning.

Wirth played an active role to transform Merck’s Life Science business from €2.3 billion to €6 billion life science solution provider through a combination of organic growth, acquisition and strategic partnerships, while improving the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization pre margin from approximately 23 percent to approximately 30 percent.

Wirth joined the company in 2006, and has served in a number of different positions, including head of Controlling for the Performance Materials business of Merck. Prior to that, Wirth served as a finance manager for Baxter. He has also held financial, controlling and consultant positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Crown Inc. and Alcatel Lucent.

Wirth has deep expertise in finance, strategic planning and problem solving and a reputation of building energized, focused teams. He has lived and worked in Africa, Europe and North America.

Wirth earned a Master of Business Administration from Sciences Po in Paris and graduated from the Ecole Supérieure de Gestion Paris Business School.