Associate Director, Strategic Sourcing

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the sourcing strategies defined by Technical Operations (e.g., CMOs/CDMOs, API, excipients, packaging, direct materials, engineering services, MRO, capital equipment).
• Align procurement strategies with enterprise objectives, including cost efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and innovation.
• Act as a strategic advisor to Technical Operations leadership on supply market trends, risk mitigation, and supplier capabilities.

Category Management

• Lead and partner to build global category strategies including demand aggregation, supplier segmentation, and total cost of ownership optimization.
• Identify and deliver cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation initiatives.
• Implement best-in-class procurement and sourcing practices, including RFx, should-cost modeling, long-term contracting, and periodic rate negotiations to ensure vendors remain cost-competitive within their respective markets.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Manage suppliers that deliver activities for more than one department.
• Leverage work contracted across multiple division of the same supplier organization to drive network-level cost savings.
• Partner with Global Technical Operations for strategic partnerships with key suppliers, including contract manufacturers and critical service providers.
• Drive supplier performance management (KPIs, scorecards, governance models).
• Partner with Global Technical Operations to support supply continuity and risk mitigation through robust supplier risk programs and dual/multi-sourcing strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Global Technical Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain teams to support product lifecycle, manufacturing scale-up, and commercialization.
• Collaborate with R&D and external innovation teams to enable early supplier engagement and technology scouting.

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements (GxP, GMP) and company policies across the supply base.
• Monitor supplier quality and compliance in collaboration with QA/QC teams.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Life Sciences, or related field required. MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience: Associate Director: 8–10+ years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing/procurement, with exposure to Technical Operations in life sciences. Director: 12–15+ years of experience, including leadership experience managing global teams and complex supplier networks. Demonstrated experience sourcing within regulated environments (GMP/GxP).
• Industry Expertise: Strong understanding of pharmaceutical/biotech manufacturing processes and supply chains. Experience with CMOs/CDMOs, direct materials, and technical services categories. Knowledge of regulatory and quality requirements in life sciences.
• Core Competencies: Strategic thinking and business acumen. Advanced negotiation and influencing skills. Supplier relationship and stakeholder management. Financial acumen (TCO, cost modeling, budgeting). Risk management and problem-solving. Leadership and team development (Director level).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Cost savings and value delivery.
• Supplier performance (quality, delivery, innovation).
• Stakeholder satisfaction.
• Contract compliance and cycle times.

Working Environment

• Global role with cross-regional collaboration.
• Moderate travel required (10–25%) depending on business needs.