R&D Procurement Lead

Qnity•Elsmere, DE

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The R&D Procurement Lead supports the execution of sourcing strategies for Qnity’s R&D external spend, including lab supplies, equipment & instrumentation, lab services, testing, and contracted research. The role manages supplier relationships, leads sourcing events, and collaborates with stakeholders to ensure value, service, and compliance. This role partners closely with R&D, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Legal, and site leadership to ensure sourcing strategies support innovation velocity, technical rigor, regulatory compliance, and cost competitiveness as Qnity scales as an independent company.

Requirements

Strong understanding of R&D procurement dynamics, including technical requirements, service‑based sourcing, and innovation‑driven supplier markets.
Demonstrated ability to perform complex analyses (e.g., TCO, should‑cost, NPV, value‑based trade‑offs) and translate insights into clear recommendations.
Proven negotiation, influence, and stakeholder‑management skills across technical and non‑technical audiences.
Ability to manage multiple global initiatives in a fast‑moving, transformation environment.
Strong ethical standards and commitment to compliance and governance.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Sciences, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
Minimum of 4 years of procurement and supply chain experience.
Prior experience negotiating global or multi‑site agreements with strong understanding of commercial and legal terms.
Advanced Excel skills; strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and SharePoint.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Exposure to R&D, laboratory, or technically complex service categories is a strong plus.
CPSM or equivalent professional certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, maintain, and execute global R&D category strategies aligned with Qnity’s business priorities, growth plans, and procurement transformation roadmap.
Apply advanced category management levers (demand management, specification alignment, supplier consolidation, should‑cost/TCO analysis) to deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, and productivity gains.
Translate R&D needs (speed, flexibility, innovation, quality) into fit‑for‑purpose sourcing and contracting strategies that balance agility with governance.
Lead global and regional RFPs/RFIs for R&D categories, embedding cross‑site and SME input early to ensure adoption and reduce rework.
Negotiate and manage master service agreements (MSAs), framework agreements, and pricing structures for R&D suppliers, ensuring strong commercial, legal, and risk positions.
Drive standardization of terms, pricing models, SLAs, and performance metrics across regions and sites.
Own strategic supplier relationships for R&D categories, including performance management, QBRs, issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with key suppliers to unlock innovation, technical capability, service improvements, and supply assurance, not just unit‑price reductions.
Ensure supplier strategies support Qnity’s global footprint of R&D facilities and evolving technology needs.
Act as a trusted procurement partner to R&D leaders, scientists, engineers, and site teams by embedding procurement early in planning and project discussions.
Gather and incorporate voice‑of‑the‑customer input into category strategies, sourcing decisions, and contract negotiations.
Lead and mentor regional buyers, sub‑category managers, and efficiency buyers supporting R&D spend.
Ensure sourcing and contracting activities comply with Qnity procurement policies, legal requirements, and internal controls.
Oversee contract implementation, supplier onboarding, and performance tracking to minimize leakage and ensure value realization.
Drive root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for supplier, contract, or operational issues impacting R&D delivery