At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for pharmaceutical ingredients and packaging, driving supply chain strategies.
- Company: Join AstraZeneca, a rapidly growing global leader in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with 3 days on-site and 2 remote, plus competitive perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in healthcare and sustainability.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in procurement, ideally in pharmaceuticals; strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills required.
- Other info: Temporary role until end of 2025 with potential for extension.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
Role Type: Temporary – Until End of 2025 + Possible Extension
Location: Macclesfield – 3 days on-site / 2 working remote
Your New Role
Reporting to the Associate Director of External Manufacturing Procurement Business Operations, the Global Procurement Manager (GPM) role will lead sourcing & procurement activities for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), and Formulation & Packaging (F&P) categories of external manufacturing, for both small molecule and biologics businesses. Will lead commercial procurement activities with assigned Suppliers, and for assigned Brands within a therapy area in support of Therapy Area Directors within the team. In conjunction with other team members, develops long term strategies on two dimensions: for brands, working with Therapy Leads to drive end-to-end supply chain value, as well as full product lifecycle value; for technologies, developing API and F&P category strategies. Ultimately ensuring that the external supply base can support these strategies well into the future.
Key Accountabilities:
- Contributing to implementation of Therapy Area and Category plans to ensure that the underpinning process improvement and procurement activities deliver the expected business value in accordance with the strategic plans.
- Supporting strategic relationship management (internal business partner and supplier) - to ensure that Category Strategies are highly aligned to current and future Business needs and that the supply base is capable of supporting these strategies.
- Working alongside our Global Procurement Services (central procurement services organization) in advising on and driving procurement strategies to make decisions necessary to purchase products and services in congruence with organisational objectives.
- Executing Master Supply Agreements, and/or individual product contracts for assigned Suppliers or Brands.
- Supporting risk assessment processes for suppliers.
- Delivering on AZ Procurement Value Proposition.
- Developing excellent relationships & influence with internal stakeholders.
- Foster trusted relationships with vendors to achieve competitive value and quality of services.
- Support AZ’s industry-leading Sustainability agenda with suppliers.
Required Skills & Knowledge
- Minimum 7 years in Procurement ideally in Pharmaceutical space – in one or more of the following areas Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) / Bio drug substances / Formulation & Packaging (F&P), clinical manufacturing.
- Experience of sourcing contract manufacturing services advantageous.
- Strong experience in Supplier selection & strong negotiation strategy.
- Stakeholder Management – Stakeholder Negotiation / advisory / Influencing.
- Comfort with risk and ambiguous situations. Ability to work in fast paced moving environment managing multiple scenarios.
- Commercial, Procurement experience, negotiating large, complex deals.
- Experience of working on global basis.
- Analytical and Systems acumen, working with Procure-to-pay systems, SAP, Microsoft Suite.
- Sound understanding of Safety, Health and Environment.
- Project management, change management and strong collaboration skills.
- Excellent collaborator.
- Degree level or equivalent qualifications.
Desirable Skills & Knowledge
- Excellent working knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry.
- Sustainability platform requirements of CDMOs.
- Knowledge of the CDMO supply base across our technology areas.
- Demonstrated capability of leading and developing commercial partnerships of significant scale.
It's an exciting time to join AstraZeneca, a global business that’s rapidly growing - there’s a lot happening and even more to come. And we are a valued part of this journey. Respected partners across the business, we provide the platform that’s going to power us to achieve more.
So, what’s next? Are you ready to bring new insights and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours. Please apply with a copy of your CV.
Contact Detail:
AstraZeneca Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Procurement Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in procurement within the pharmaceutical industry. Understanding current market dynamics, especially around Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and biologics, will help you engage in informed discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, particularly those who have experience in the pharmaceutical sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could provide insights or even referrals for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with supplier selection and negotiation strategies. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and driven value in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of sustainability in procurement. Given AstraZeneca's commitment to sustainability, being able to articulate how you can contribute to their agenda will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Procurement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, especially within the pharmaceutical industry. Emphasise your skills in supplier selection, negotiation, and stakeholder management, as these are crucial for the Global Procurement Manager role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the key accountabilities mentioned in the job description. Explain how your background aligns with AstraZeneca's needs and demonstrate your understanding of their sustainability agenda and procurement strategies.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include specific examples of past achievements in procurement. Use metrics to quantify your success, such as cost savings achieved or successful negotiations that led to improved supplier relationships.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is essential for a managerial role.
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of the Global Procurement Manager role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as sourcing and procurement activities for APIs and F&P categories. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Given the emphasis on strong negotiation strategies in the job description, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully negotiated complex deals. Highlight your approach and the outcomes to demonstrate your capability in this area.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience in managing relationships with both internal stakeholders and suppliers. Provide specific examples of how you've influenced decisions and fostered collaboration, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Align with Sustainability Goals
AstraZeneca values sustainability, so be prepared to discuss how you've incorporated sustainability into your procurement strategies in the past. Show that you understand the importance of this agenda and how it can impact supplier relationships.