Director, Procurement - Life Sciences
Ingersoll Rand · Chicago, IL · 1 wk ago
Purchasing$150–$200/hrFull-time
About the role
The Director, Procurement – Life Sciences leads the global strategic sourcing function for the Life Science platform. This role manages a team of ~14 associates covering $150–200 million of direct and indirect spend, and is responsible for transforming procurement into a value-driving, technology-enabled function.Responsibilities
- Strategic Sourcing & Value Creation
- Develop and execute global commodity and category strategies leveraging advanced analytics, AI-driven insights, and digital procurement platforms to deliver year-over-year productivity and margin expansion.
- Champion the adoption of e-sourcing, reverse auctions, and digital supplier collaboration tools to optimize cost, quality, and supply assurance.
- Lead supplier relationship management, including risk assessment, performance monitoring, and innovation partnerships to drive competitive advantage.
- Collaborate with engineering, commercial, and business unit leaders to align sourcing priorities with business strategy and new product development.
- Drive synergy realization for acquisitions, integrating best-in-class procurement practices and systems.
- Technology & Transformation Leadership
- Spearhead the digital transformation of procurement, implementing cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, robotic process automation (RPA), and advanced spend analytics.
- Foster a data-driven culture, utilizing predictive analytics and market intelligence to inform sourcing decisions and proactively manage supply chain risks.
- Lead change management initiatives to elevate procurement maturity, streamline processes, and enhance stakeholder engagement.
- Capital & Working Capital Optimization
- Identify and execute strategies to improve net working capital, including dynamic discounting, supplier financing, and inventory optimization through digital tools.
- Expand vendor-managed and consignment inventory agreements using technology-enabled solutions to improve cash flow and reduce lead times.
- Talent Development & Leadership
- Build and develop a high-performing, diverse procurement team with expertise in digital sourcing, supplier innovation, and strategic negotiation.
- Mentor and coach team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, agility, and ownership.
- Champion talent development programs, including digital upskilling and cross-functional collaboration.
- Sustainability & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all contractual and regulatory requirements (FDA, EU, etc.), leveraging technology for real-time monitoring and reporting.
- Drive supplier sustainability initiatives, including ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) assessments and responsible sourcing practices.
- Maintain awareness of emerging regulations and industry trends, proactively adapting strategies to ensure compliance and competitive positioning.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.
- 7+ years of strategic sourcing experience, with a track record of driving transformation and value creation in complex, global environments.
- At least 7 years of leadership experience, building and leading high-performing teams.
- Demonstrated expertise in supplier/category strategy development, negotiation, and digital procurement tools.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including proficiency with advanced Excel, data visualization, and procurement analytics platforms.
- Experience implementing AI, RPA, or other digital solutions in procurement.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to travel up to 15% globally.
Key Competencies
- Digital Procurement Acumen: Proven ability to leverage technology and data to drive procurement excellence.
- Strategic Thinking: Deep business knowledge of suppliers, industry trends, emerging markets, and technology; ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.
- Change Leadership: Experience leading organizational transformation, driving adoption of new tools and processes.
- Analytical Problem-Solving: Comfort with complex data analysis, scenario modeling, and risk-based decision making.
- Relationship Management: Strong collaboration, conflict resolution, and communication skills with internal and external partners.
- Player/Coach Approach: Willingness to roll up sleeves, drive execution, and mentor team members.