Associate Director, Procurement External Manufacturing

Introduction to role

Committed to science-led innovation, our investment in emerging technologies is providing transformative next-generation therapies such as CAR-T, TReg Stabilisation, in vivo expressed biologics, protein therapeutics, ADCs, and mRNAs. Operations Procurement is at the forefront of establishing external manufacturing partners for these new technologies emerging in the AZ early pipeline for both Biologics and Synthetics.

Accountabilities

This role is key to shaping AstraZeneca’s supplier landscape to support our emerging pipeline of molecules through manufacturing of Drug Product (DP) for Phase 1-3 supply. You will lead the Clinical DP Category and be at the forefront of establishing external partners through market analysis and sourcing projects, collaborating closely with business partners in relevant functions.

You will contribute to the broader Formulation & Packing Category Strategy, working closely with Therapy Areas, Functional Leads, and Global Category Managers in the Commercial External Manufacturing Procurement team to connect clinical and commercial sourcing strategies.

What you'll do:

• A key member & contributor of the Clinical Procurement Boards (Drug Product).

• Lead core category meetings with business partners, shaping an evolving supplier landscape.

• Connect clinical & commercial strategies both within team and across stakeholder groups.

• Lead improvement initiatives & workstreams to support wider team & delivery of procurement objectives.

• Negotiate complex supply agreements

• Foster trusted relationships with vendors to achieve competitive value and quality of services.

• Deliver on AZ Procurement Value Proposition

• Manage and monitor supplier spend & records savings.

• Ensure procurement processes and supplier management are applied in line with identified AstraZeneca standard operating policies, compliance, ethics & procedures.

• Manage the business relationship with key suppliers, on behalf of employees and the business, overseeing and managing the procurement process and customer satisfaction.

• Collaborate with the business stakeholders to deliver RFPs and Statement of Works.

• Develop and cultivate technical expertise and knowledge within project team or broader Procurement function by disseminating best practices and sharing knowledge across functions and project teams.

• Support AZ’s industry-leading Sustainability agenda with suppliers.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Degree level or equivalent qualifications or experience

• Excellent working knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry

• Knowledge of new biotechnology platforms.

• Strong experience in Procurement / Business Development roles

• Experience in similar roles in Bio Tech or Pharma

• Project & time management

• Supplier relationship management, negotiation & influencing

• Technical expertise in at least one Procurement area, and competence in several others

• Communication skills and ability to influence others

• Stakeholder Management

• Comfort with risk and ambiguous situations

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Life science degree

• Sustainability platform requirements of CDMOs

• Digital Management & System Usage

• Use of collaboration platforms like Sharepoint, Box etc

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Join our diverse community. Contribute to our truly global Procurement team, which reflects the full diversity of the people we serve. Your voice counts: different experiences, backgrounds and ways of working are respected here. United by curiosity, we share insights to challenge conventions. By collaborating and innovating with each other, our stakeholders and our suppliers, we are creating the most competitive supplier ecosystem.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!