Director, Procurement - Life Sciences

irco•Chicago, NC

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Director, Procurement – Life Sciences leads the global strategic sourcing function for the Life Science platform. This role manages a team of ~14 associates covering $150–200 million of direct and indirect spend, and is responsible for transforming procurement into a value-driving, technology-enabled function.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.
7+ years of strategic sourcing experience, with a track record of driving transformation and value creation in complex, global environments.
At least 7 years of leadership experience, building and leading high-performing teams.
Demonstrated expertise in supplier/category strategy development, negotiation, and digital procurement tools.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including proficiency with advanced Excel, data visualization, and procurement analytics platforms.
Experience implementing AI, RPA, or other digital solutions in procurement.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to travel up to 15% globally.

Nice To Haves

MBA or relevant advanced degree

Responsibilities

Develop and execute global commodity and category strategies leveraging advanced analytics, AI-driven insights, and digital procurement platforms to deliver year-over-year productivity and margin expansion.
Champion the adoption of e-sourcing, reverse auctions, and digital supplier collaboration tools to optimize cost, quality, and supply assurance.
Lead supplier relationship management, including risk assessment, performance monitoring, and innovation partnerships to drive competitive advantage.
Collaborate with engineering, commercial, and business unit leaders to align sourcing priorities with business strategy and new product development.
Drive synergy realization for acquisitions, integrating best-in-class procurement practices and systems.
Spearhead the digital transformation of procurement, implementing cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, robotic process automation (RPA), and advanced spend analytics.
Foster a data-driven culture, utilizing predictive analytics and market intelligence to inform sourcing decisions and proactively manage supply chain risks.
Lead change management initiatives to elevate procurement maturity, streamline processes, and enhance stakeholder engagement.
Identify and execute strategies to improve net working capital, including dynamic discounting, supplier financing, and inventory optimization through digital tools.
Expand vendor-managed and consignment inventory agreements using technology-enabled solutions to improve cash flow and reduce lead times.
Build and develop a high-performing, diverse procurement team with expertise in digital sourcing, supplier innovation, and strategic negotiation.
Mentor and coach team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, agility, and ownership.
Champion talent development programs, including digital upskilling and cross-functional collaboration.
Ensure compliance with all contractual and regulatory requirements (FDA, EU, etc.), leveraging technology for real-time monitoring and reporting.
Drive supplier sustainability initiatives, including ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) assessments and responsible sourcing practices.
Maintain awareness of emerging regulations and industry trends, proactively adapting strategies to ensure compliance and competitive positioning.