Procurement Lead

Our global client in the pharmaceutical industry is seeking an experienced Procurement Lead to lead the strategic procurement of direct materials, ensuring continuity of supply, cost efficiency and the development of alternate suppliers. The role will drive procurement excellence through strategic sourcing, supplier performance, compliance, quality, cost savings and sustainable business continuity. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for APIs, excipients, raw materials, packaging materials and relevant indirect categories. • Lead RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, supplier selection, market analysis and commercial negotiations, applying TCO, benchmarking and market intelligence to sourcing decisions. • Ensure reliable and timely material availability while balancing continuity of supply, inventory, working capital and obsolescence risks. • Develop a competitive and resilient supplier base through alternate vendor development, localisation and second-source initiatives. • Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams on supplier qualification, audits, agreements and CAPA activities, while monitoring supplier quality, OTIF, service and cost performance. • Deliver cost savings and COGS improvements through negotiation, benchmarking, alternate sourcing, localisation and value engineering. • Identify and manage supply risks, developing appropriate mitigation and business continuity plans with relevant stakeholders. • Build and manage strategic relationships with local and international suppliers, including contract negotiations and supplier performance reviews. • Lead, coach and develop procurement professionals, establishing KPIs aligned with supply security, savings, supplier performance and service. • Drive procurement governance, market intelligence, continuous improvement, responsible sourcing and data-based decision-making. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Commerce, Business, Pharmacy, Science, Engineering or a related discipline. • Postgraduate qualification and/or CIPS. • 8–10 years’ progressive procurement/strategic sourcing experience, preferably within pharmaceutical, healthcare or regulated manufacturing. • Experience managing significant direct-material spend and complex supplier portfolios. • Strong API, excipient/raw material and/or packaging sourcing, negotiation and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) experience. • Proven people leadership experience. • Strong understanding of pharmaceutical quality, regulatory, supplier qualification and business continuity requirements. • Multi-site manufacturing and CMO material-supply experience. The ideal candidate is a commercially astute procurement professional with strong negotiation, supplier management, leadership, analytical and decision-making skills. They understand supply risks and cost drivers, collaborate across key functions, and prioritise compliance, supply continuity and value. If you are an experienced procurement and strategic sourcing professional ready to lead complex direct-material sourcing and strengthen supply security in the pharmaceutical industry. #J-18808-Ljbffr