Associate Director, Strategic Sourcing

About This Role

An Associate Director, Strategic Sourcing supports the development and execution of global sourcing strategies related to Global Technical Operations across the enterprise. This role oversees category management, supplier strategy, and cost optimization initiatives spanning manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and quality operations. The individual will partner closely with Technical Operations leadership, R&D, Quality, and Finance to ensure supply continuity, drive operational excellence, and enable innovation across a complex global supplier ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the sourcing strategies defined by Technical Operations (e.g., CMOs/CDMOs, API, excipients, packaging, direct materials, engineering services, MRO, capital equipment)
• Align procurement strategies with enterprise objectives, including cost efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and innovation
• Act as a strategic advisor to Technical Operations leadership on supply market trends, risk mitigation, and supplier capabilities
• Lead and partner to build global category strategies including demand aggregation, supplier segmentation, and total cost of ownership optimization
• Identify and deliver cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation initiatives
• Implement best-in-class procurement and sourcing practices, including RFx, should-cost modeling, long-term contracting, and periodic rate negotiations to ensure vendors remain cost-competitive within their respective markets
• Manage suppliers that deliver activities for more than one department
• Leverage work contracted across multiple division of the same supplier organization to drive network-level cost savings
• Partner with Global Technical Operations for strategic partnerships with key suppliers, including contract manufacturers and critical service providers
• Drive supplier performance management (KPIs, scorecards, governance models)
• Partner with Global Technical Operations to support supply continuity and risk mitigation through robust supplier risk programs and dual/multi-sourcing strategies
• Partner with Global Technical Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain teams to support product lifecycle, manufacturing scale-up, and commercialization
• Collaborate with R&D and external innovation teams to enable early supplier engagement and technology scouting
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements (GxP, GMP) and company policies across the supply base
• Monitor supplier quality and compliance in collaboration with QA/QC teams
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing global sourcing team (if Director level)
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and stakeholder alignment (if Director level)

Requirements