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- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy for outsourced manufacturing and manage supplier relationships globally.
- Company: Join AstraZeneca, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, global opportunities, and a focus on professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a global remit and excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by ensuring reliable supply and quality standards.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in external manufacturing with strong leadership and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
The Senior Director, External Manufacturing Procurement, leads AstraZeneca's procurement strategy and execution for outsourced contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). This role is accountable for performance across multiple sites and countries, driving commercial excellence, robust governance, and reliable supply while meeting Safety, Health & Environment standards and all applicable regulations. The leader will manage and develop a team of Procurement professionals, build executive-level supplier relationships, and serve as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders across Operations and R&D.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Define the Procurement strategy for External Manufacturing and contribute expert input to broader Procurement strategy development.
- Delivery Management: Ensure objectives are met across all sites within remit, with disciplined value tracking and measurable financial and operational outcomes.
- Resource Planning: Partner with Line Managers to identify resource needs; secure and allocate resources to ensure timely delivery and progression of priorities.
- Team Leadership: Manage, motivate, coach, and set goals for Procurement leads; build a culture of leadership, creativity, collaboration, and high performance.
- Supplier Strategy & Negotiation: Lead negotiations and selection of outsourced service and equipment suppliers; oversee commercial governance and executive supplier relationships.
- Risk & Contingency Planning: Develop and manage contingency risk plans to assure on-site availability, quality, and budget adherence; elevate issues to protect patients and business reputation.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Lead key interactions with internal stakeholders to build reputation and broker cross-functional decisions and trade-offs.
- Best Practice & Compliance: Drive knowledge sharing and dissemination of best practices; establish and oversee processes ensuring compliance with Safety, Health & Environment standards, AstraZeneca policies, and applicable laws.
- Talent Development: Support senior staff in coaching and developing talent to maintain a healthy pipeline and succession for senior Procurement roles.
Scope
- Span of Leadership: Approximately 10-15 total direct and indirect reports.
- Global Remit: A global role, working across EU, Asia and US.
Qualifications
- External Manufacturing Expertise: Extensive leadership experience within external manufacturing and CMO environments. 10-15 years of industry experience with Supply Chain or Manufacturing.
- Category Strategy & Value Delivery: Proven track record in setting category strategies and delivering multi-year improvement plans with measurable financial and operational outcomes.
- Performance Management: Demonstrated success holding teams and suppliers to account; establishing milestones; addressing underperformance promptly; ensuring delivery.
- Executive Communication: Exceptional communication and gravitas; trusted partner to senior leaders across Operations and R&D; adept at brokering cross-functional decisions and trade-offs.
- Commercial Governance: Demonstrated success leading executive supplier relationships, negotiating large and complex agreements, and driving commercial governance.
- Change Leadership: Strong record leading complex change programs with high adoption; experience deploying governance models and business process frameworks.
- Financial Acumen: Strong cost modelling, benchmarking, and P&L impact understanding; disciplined approach to value tracking.
Core Requirements: Degree-level qualification; significant management experience in Procurement; excellent people management and motivational skills; ability to lead cross-functional teams; proven priority-setting and resource management in global/regional environments; excellent written and verbal communication; negotiation, collaboration, and interpersonal leadership skills; budgetary and resource planning experience; willingness to travel; strong conceptual, analytical, and strategic thinking; ability to influence strategically and persuade tactfully while maintaining positive relationships.
Key Relationships
- Internal: Senior Procurement staff; leaders across Operations, R&D, and other functions.
- External: Global Suppliers and outsourced service providers; executive-level supplier stakeholders.
Director, External Manufacturing Procurement in Burton upon Trent employer: AstraZeneca UK Limited
Contact Detail:
AstraZeneca UK Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, External Manufacturing Procurement in Burton upon Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their procurement strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Talk about how you've motivated teams and driven results in past roles. Remember, they’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, External Manufacturing Procurement in Burton upon Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director, External Manufacturing Procurement role. Highlight your experience in procurement strategy and external manufacturing, as well as any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive commercial excellence and manage supplier relationships. Use metrics where possible to show the impact of your work. Numbers speak volumes, and we love seeing results!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your writing is easy to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics like procurement and supply chain management.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca UK Limited
✨Know Your Procurement Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of procurement strategies, especially in external manufacturing. Familiarise yourself with AstraZeneca's approach and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your coaching methods and how you've built a high-performance culture.
✨Prepare for Executive-Level Conversations
Since this role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can convey complex ideas simply and effectively, showcasing your executive communication skills.
✨Highlight Your Negotiation Successes
Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've led negotiations or managed supplier relationships. Highlight your approach to commercial governance and how you've ensured compliance while achieving favourable outcomes.