Job Description
Lead Procurement (Pharmaceuticals)
Experience
15+ years of experience in Pharmaceutical Procurement / Supply Chain with strong exposure to regulated markets (US / EU / ROW). Minimum 5-8 years in leadership roles managing global sourcing, vendor ecosystems, and strategic procurement in API, formulation, or CDMO-driven environments.
Education
B.Pharm / B.E. Chemical / M.Pharm / M.Sc. with MBA in Supply Chain / Operations preferred. Additional certifications in Procurement or Supply Chain Management (CIPS, CPSM, PMP, Six Sigma) will be an advantage.
Role Summary
The Lead Procurement is a senior strategic role responsible for end-to-end procurement across direct and indirect categories including APIs, excipients, packaging materials, MRO, CAPEX, and critical services.
The role ensures uninterrupted supply for R&D and manufacturing while driving cost optimization, supplier excellence, regulatory compliance, and supply chain risk mitigation across global markets.
This position acts as a key business partner to R&D, Manufacturing, QA/Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Finance, and Legal, enabling successful product development, technology transfer, and commercialization in a highly regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Develop and execute global procurement strategies across direct (APIs, excipients, packaging) and indirect categories (MRO, IT, services, CAPEX).
- Build long-term category roadmaps aligned with business and pipeline requirements.
- Drive global sourcing optimization across US/EU/ROW markets to balance cost, quality, and supply risk.
2. Supplier Management & Qualification
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard global suppliers including CMOs, CDMOs, CROs, and raw material vendors.
- Conduct supplier audits and ensure compliance with GMP, GLP, ISO, and regulatory requirements (FDA/EMA/WHO).
- Develop robust supplier base with dual sourcing and risk mitigation for critical materials.
3. Contracting & Commercial Negotiation
- Lead high-value commercial negotiations and long-term contract finalization in coordination with Legal.
- Establish SLAs, framework agreements, and strategic supplier partnerships.
- Drive supplier consolidation and preferred vendor programs to maximize value.
4. Cost Optimization & Financial Governance
- Deliver cost savings through benchmarking, reverse engineering, alternate sourcing, and volume consolidation.
- Manage procurement budgets and support working capital optimization through payment terms and inventory strategies.
- Track and report savings, spend analytics, and procurement ROI to leadership.
5. Supply Chain & Inventory Alignment
- Collaborate with Manufacturing and Supply Planning to ensure uninterrupted material flow.
- Optimize inventory levels, safety stocks, and lead times based on demand forecasts.
- Prevent supply disruptions through proactive risk monitoring and mitigation planning.
Core Competencies
- Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Global Vendor Development & Relationship Management
- Contract Negotiation & Commercial Acumen
- GMP / Regulatory-Compliant Procurement
- Cost Optimization & Spend Analytics
- Supply Risk Management & Business Continuity
- Cross-Functional Leadership in Matrix Organizations
- Procurement Digital Transformation
Technical Skills
- Spend Analytics: Advanced Excel, Power BI, Tableau
- Procurement Tools: Contract Lifecycle & e-Sourcing platforms
- Inventory Planning / MRP systems
- MS PowerPoint for executive reporting & dashboards