Associate Director, R&D Business Partner - Sourcing & Procurement

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

1d

About The Position

AstraZeneca is seeking an integral member of its global Research & Development (R&D) Procurement team. The Associate Director, R&D Business Partner - Sourcing & Procurement has global responsibility for a category in the R&D space and focuses on developing and deploying global category strategies and initiatives, leading major supplier relationships, building stakeholder partnerships, and ensuring procurement and process-improvement activities deliver expected business value.

The role develops long-term strategic plans for an entire spend category, aligns category strategies with current and future business needs, and ensures the supply base can support those strategies. It leads category-related projects to deliver business value, implements vendor sustainability initiatives, and conducts complex contractual and commercial negotiations. The position works with key stakeholders and Global Procurement Services (GPS), using data-driven category management and analytics to generate insights, capabilities, and results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• 7+ years of experience in a procurement environment.
• Significant experience in category management.
• Project management, change management, and people leadership skills.
• Good solid understanding of the pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence others.
• Comfort with risk and ambiguous situations.

Nice To Haves

• Category management experience in R&D or pharmaceuticals is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of category plans so process-improvement and procurement activities deliver business value in accordance with the strategic plan and support sustainability targets.
• Develop long-term strategic plans for an agreed spend area, focusing on broader value, innovation, and savings.
• Support strategic customer and supplier relationship management, ensuring category strategies align with current and future business needs and the supply base can support those strategies.
• Work alongside Global Procurement Services (GPS), advising on and driving procurement strategies and purchasing decisions aligned with organizational objectives.
• Advise on contracts and agreements for the supply of sophisticated products and services with new and existing suppliers.
• Support global procurement colleagues cross-functionally and collaborate on setting and completing strategy.
• Lead major supplier relationships, vendor sustainability initiatives, and complex contractual and commercial negotiations.

Benefits

• Eligibility for short-term incentive bonuses.
• Equity-based awards for salaried roles.
• Qualified retirement programs.
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and leaves.
• Health coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director