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

AstraZeneca•Gaithersburg, MD

3d•$116,000 - $173,000

About The Position

AstraZeneca is seeking an integral member of its global Research & Development Procurement team to lead a category in the R&D space. The Associate Director, R&D Business Partner - Sourcing & Procurement role focuses on developing and deploying global category strategies and initiatives, leading major supplier relationships, building effective partnerships with stakeholder groups, and ensuring procurement and process-improvement activities deliver expected business value. The role develops long-term strategic plans for an entire spend category and aligns category strategies with current and future business needs. It leads category-related project initiatives, vendor sustainability initiatives, and complex contractual and commercial negotiations. The position works with key stakeholders and Global Procurement Services (GPS), using data-driven category management and high-quality analytics to deliver insights, capabilities, and results.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
At least 7 years of experience in a procurement environment.
Significant experience in category management.
Project management, change management, and people leadership skills.
Good 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.

Responsibilities

Lead implementation of category plans so procurement and process-improvement activities deliver business value in line 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 with Global Procurement Services (GPS) to advise on and drive procurement strategies and purchasing decisions consistent with organizational objectives.
Advise on contracts and agreements for supplying sophisticated products and services from new and existing suppliers.
Collaborate cross-functionally with global procurement colleagues on setting and completing the strategy.
Lead major supplier relationships, category-related project initiatives, vendor sustainability initiatives, and complex contractual and commercial negotiations.