Associate Director, Procurement

Lotte Biologics•Syracuse, NY

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director, Procurement leads strategic sourcing, supplier management, procurement operations, and contract negotiations in support of LOTTE Biologics' business objectives. The role develops sourcing strategies to promote cost efficiency, supply continuity, quality, and risk mitigation in a dynamic cGMP manufacturing environment. It partners with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Facilities, Finance, Legal, and Project Management to ensure reliable procurement of direct materials, indirect goods, capital equipment, and services. The Associate Director leads a team of procurement professionals, builds supplier relationships, and drives continuous improvement to support operational excellence and organizational growth. The position directly supervises five or more procurement professionals, including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee development, and workforce planning. It is based in an office within a cGMP-regulated pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing facility, with occasional presence in manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, and support areas. Occasional domestic and limited international travel may be required, generally less than 10% of working time. Limited work outside normal business hours may be required for critical initiatives, supplier escalations, audits, or project deadlines.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or materials management experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, aerospace, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
At least 2 years of formal people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management, and employee development.
Experience developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives and supplier relationship management programs.
Experience leading supplier negotiations, contract development, and commercial agreement management.
Experience supporting direct materials, indirect procurement, capital projects, and outsourced services.
Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, procurement operations, supplier relationship management, inventory management, and supply chain principles.
Ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements and achieve favorable business outcomes.
Understanding of contract management, supplier performance management, and procurement compliance practices.
Ability to analyze spend data, identify cost-saving opportunities, and develop sourcing strategies.
Experience using ERP, MRP, and procurement systems for purchasing activities, supplier performance, and reporting.
Strong financial and business acumen, including ability to evaluate total cost of ownership and supplier value propositions.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, project-management, and decision-making skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Leadership skills and success developing and mentoring team members.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Power BI, and procurement reporting tools.
Ability to travel occasionally, domestically and internationally, for business purposes.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a cGMP-regulated manufacturing environment.
Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, APICS, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute procurement and sourcing strategies that optimize quality, service, cost, supply continuity, and supplier performance.
Develop, qualify, and manage strategic supplier relationships.
Partner with Supply Chain and operational stakeholders on inventory optimization and supply continuity strategies.
Oversee procurement of direct materials, indirect goods, purchased services, and capital expenditures.
Lead strategic sourcing and supplier selection, including competitive bidding, commercial analysis, supplier evaluations, and recommendations.
Negotiate contracts, pricing, commercial terms, and delivery schedules.
Partner with Legal to ensure supplier agreements mitigate risk and protect LOTTE Biologics' interests.
Develop supplier performance metrics, scorecards, and business review processes.
Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, performance management, and risk mitigation with relevant stakeholders.
Identify and mitigate supply chain risks through contingency plans, qualified alternate suppliers, and business continuity initiatives.
Evaluate supplier capabilities, capacity, quality performance, and financial stability.
Drive procurement process improvement, standardization, and data-driven decision-making using spend analysis, market intelligence, and operational assessments.
Represent Procurement on cross-functional initiatives, capital projects, site expansion, technology transfers, and organizational growth initiatives.
Use procurement systems and analytics tools to monitor spend, supplier performance, KPIs, and procurement effectiveness.
Ensure procurement complies with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
Support client programs, technology transfers, and commercialization through procurement planning, supplier engagement, and material readiness strategies.
Manage procurement spend in assigned categories and support savings targets, budget planning, and cost management.
Establish departmental goals, monitor KPIs, and align procurement priorities with organizational objectives.
Develop, mentor, and manage a team of procurement professionals.