Director, Supplier Development

AstraZeneca•Gaithersburg, MD

5d•$145,000 - $218,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Cell Therapy is a key area of investment for AstraZeneca, aiming to achieve a bold ambition of becoming an $80B organization. The Director, Supplier Development will be responsible for strategically improving the performance and capabilities of the company's supplier base. This involves identifying areas for improvement, implementing development plans, and monitoring progress to ensure consistent quality, delivery, and cost efficiency across all suppliers. The role often requires close collaboration with procurement teams to achieve optimal supply chain results.

Requirements

A minimum of 7 years' experience with BA/BS, or 5 years with MA/MS, or 3 years with PhD.
Degree in Science, Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of combined 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supply chain management, and process development.
Experience in CMC, process development, and/or manufacturing required.
Strong understanding of supply chain management principles and best practices.
Proven experience in supplier development, performance management, CMC and quality control.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to identify root causes of supplier issues.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Project management skills to develop and execute supplier improvement plans.
Knowledge of relevant quality standards and regulations.
Proficiency in data analysis and reporting to track supplier performance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree highly desirable.
Experience preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
Specific experience in cell therapy highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Design and implement a risk model to reduce potential supply disruption for the Cell Therapy Portfolio, considering launch and demand forecasts. Strategically evaluate N-2 Supply Chain suppliers for inclusion in the portfolio risk profile.
Conduct thorough evaluations of existing suppliers, assessing performance against key metrics like quality, delivery time, cost, sustainability, and compliance with company standards to identify areas for improvement.
Develop customized improvement plans for individual suppliers based on identified weaknesses, including specific goals, timelines, and action steps to address quality issues, cost reduction opportunities, and process optimization.
Regularly track supplier performance against established metrics, identifying trends and potential risks, and taking corrective actions when necessary to maintain desired performance levels.
Work closely with Technical, Quality, and Regulatory teams to identify priority segments/categories where suppliers will need to be developed to ensure continuous supply and better COGS.
Lead and participate in continuous improvement activities within the supplier base, such as implementing Lean methodologies, Six Sigma practices, or other quality improvement programs.
Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with the supplier base, including supply chain disruptions, geopolitical instability, and quality issues.
Maintain effective communication with internal stakeholders, including Senior Leadership, to ensure alignment on supplier development strategies.
Support leadership and change management of a growing supply chain organization.
Build and lead a high-performing supplier development team, providing guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to drive individual and collective success.