Procurement Relations Lead
Real Chemistry · Chicago, IL · 1 mo ago
RemoteRemotePurchasing$170k–$190k/yrFull-time
About the Role
Real Chemistry is seeking a Procurement Relations Lead to join our team. This is a U.S. hybrid role, based in or near one of our U.S. hubs including Boston, Massachusetts; Carmel, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; or Lambertville, New Jersey. This role is ideal for a relationship-driven leader who knows how to navigate client procurement and strategic sourcing environments to unlock and expand long-term partnerships. Reporting to the Head of Business Strategy and Growth, you will serve as a trusted bridge between Real Chemistry and our clients' procurement and strategic sourcing teams — opening doors, building credibility, deepening engagement, and creating the opportunity for growth.
Responsibilities
- Build and own trusted relationships with new and select existing client procurement and strategic sourcing stakeholders, serving as a credible, consistent point of contact who understands their goals and drives solution identification and growth opportunities.
- Proactively generate and qualify new leads within client procurement and strategic sourcing organizations, building and advancing a robust pipeline of introductory and expansion opportunities across capabilities and markets.
- Plan, organize, and lead client procurement capability meetings, developing and delivering curated, client-relevant content for introductory, capability, and relationship conversations that showcase Real Chemistry's full range of services and solutions.
- Serve as a consistent door opener for Real Chemistry, proactively introducing capability and account leads to new stakeholders, business units, and decision-makers within client procurement organizations to create fresh entry points for growth.
- Partner closely with existing client leads to develop a deep understanding of each client's business, priorities, and procurement dynamics — translating those insights into strategies that expand and strengthen our engagements.
- Support evolution of Real Chemistry's overall framework for engaging client procurement teams, creating a repeatable model that supports growth across our extended portfolio.
- Keep senior stakeholders informed on relationship status, growth opportunities, and any risks to existing engagements.
- Drive post-engagement debriefs to capture learnings and continuously strengthen how we build and grow client relationships.
Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in client relationship management, account leadership, strategic sourcing, or procurement — with at least 5 years in a senior leadership position; candidates from account or client services backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply if they bring deep, demonstrated experience engaging client procurement and strategic sourcing organizations.
- A proven track record of generating new business leads and building and growing strategic client relationships, including meaningful experience navigating and influencing client procurement, strategic sourcing, or finance stakeholders — with demonstrated success opening doors to new stakeholders and leading capability meetings that convert into new engagements.
- Deep healthcare industry experience across pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences companies, or agency partners.
- Understanding of the procurement landscape, including market trends, client ESG priorities, and regulatory requirements across the healthcare ecosystem — including global experience.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust at all levels of a client organization and articulate the Real Chemistry value proposition compellingly.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple relationships and priorities simultaneously.
- Highly motivated self-starter who can create structure and momentum where none exists.
Benefits
- Offices in key markets with free snacks
- Generous holiday and paid time off
- Options for private medical, dental, and vision plans
- Support in saving for the future
- Mental wellness coaching and support
- Access to more than 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning
Pay
$170,000-$190,000