Director, External Manufacturing Procurement - Drug Substance (London)
Director, External Manufacturing Procurement - Drug Substance (London)

Director, External Manufacturing Procurement - Drug Substance (London)

Wandsworth Full-Time 54000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for large molecule and vaccine drug substances, ensuring supply reliability.
  • Company: GSK is a global biopharma company focused on advancing health through science and technology.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work culture with opportunities for growth and a commitment to sustainability.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real impact on global health while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 7+ years in procurement; strong communication and analytical skills required.
  • Other info: GSK values diversity and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for all.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 90000 £ per year.

Job description
Site Name: USA – Pennsylvania – Upper Providence, UK London New Oxford Street, USA – North Carolina – Durham
Posted Date: Jun 16 2025

Director, External Manufacturing Procurement

Job Description:

The Director, External Manufacturing Procurement plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing GSK's procurement strategies for large molecule and vaccine drug substances. This key role leads a team of category managers focused on GSK's partnerships with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMO's). The successful candidate will ensure that GSK develops category strategies that support supply reliability and cost targets for their area of responsibility.

This role develops and maintains external market knowledge and serves as a key representative for GSK to the CMO industry. The director engages senior internal and external stakeholders to understand business requirements, use market intelligence to develop strategies, lead complex supplier negotiations, and ultimately deliver solutions to support GSK's supply chains. This role sits on the leadership team of the Senior Director, External Manufacturing Procurement and is a key advisor of the GSK global external manufacturing strategy.

The ideal candidate should have prior experience in sourcing the commercial supply of drug product or drug substance from CMO's.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for large molecule and vaccines drug substance manufactured externally, ensuring alignment with GSK's overall supply strategy.
  • Lead complex contract negotiations with CMO's and deliver outcomes at pace.
  • Deliver contracts which emphasize value creation, critical terms, and effective cost control.
  • Gather and analyze market intelligence to benchmark the CMO landscape.
  • Cultivate relationships with key internal stakeholders to support GSK's business strategy and communicate supply chain insights.
  • Forge and maintain strategic relationships with CMO's to support robust category strategies and network design decisions.
  • Set financial budgets for contract manufacturing, incorporating pricing negotiations and volume forecasting.
  • Establish and monitor CMO performance metrics, promoting continuous improvement.
  • Optimize the CMO portfolio to maintain a network of providers aligned with GSK's network needs.
  • Manage the commercial risk profile of our CMO network, ensuring alignment with GSK's business continuity plans.
  • Uphold procurement policies and compliance standards, including third-party risk management.
  • Deliver GSK's commitments to environmental sustainability for their category.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in supply chain, procurement or technical field.
  • 7+ years' experience in the procurement and management of large molecule and vaccine drug substance or drug product from CMO's.
  • 5+ years' experience developing and executing sourcing strategies across various geographies and supply chains.
  • 3+years' experience leading global/regional projects across matrixed teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in business administration, supply chain, procurement or a relevant technical field.
  • The ability to develop and maintain strong internal and external networks.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong project and change management skills.
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities.

#LI-GSK

Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary t o learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it's also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the GSK Service Centre at 1-877-694-7547 (US Toll Free) or +1 801 567 5155 (outside US).

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK's compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at

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Director, External Manufacturing Procurement - Drug Substance (London) employer: Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc.

GSK is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a dynamic work culture where innovation thrives. Located in the vibrant city of London, the company provides comprehensive benefits, opportunities for professional development, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to meaningful health advancements. Join GSK to be part of a collaborative environment that not only aims to get ahead of disease but also fosters personal and professional growth.
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Contact Detail:

Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, External Manufacturing Procurement - Drug Substance (London)

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the pharmaceutical procurement field, especially those who have experience with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs). Attend industry conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in drug substance procurement.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with GSK's current partnerships and procurement strategies. Understanding their approach to supply chain management and how they engage with CMOs will give you a competitive edge during interviews.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in leading complex negotiations and developing sourcing strategies. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and delivered value in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on market intelligence related to large molecule and vaccine drug substances. Being knowledgeable about current market conditions and challenges will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Director, External Manufacturing Procurement - Drug Substance (London)

Strategic Sourcing
Contract Negotiation
Market Intelligence Analysis
Stakeholder Engagement
Supply Chain Management
Financial Budgeting
Performance Metrics Development
Risk Management
Procurement Compliance
Environmental Sustainability Practices
Project Management
Analytical Skills
Communication Skills
Relationship Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, especially with large molecules and vaccines. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead negotiations and develop sourcing strategies.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and GSK's mission. Discuss how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your experience with Contract Manufacturing Organizations.

Highlight Key Skills: Emphasise your analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as your project management experience. Mention any specific tools or methodologies you have used in previous roles that relate to procurement and supply chain management.

Showcase Your Network: If applicable, mention any existing relationships you have with CMO's or other stakeholders in the industry. This can demonstrate your ability to cultivate strategic partnerships, which is crucial for this role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc.

✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities of the Director, External Manufacturing Procurement role. Familiarise yourself with GSK's procurement strategies, especially regarding large molecule and vaccine drug substances, as this will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.

✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

Given that this role involves leading complex contract negotiations with CMOs, be prepared to discuss your past experiences in negotiation. Highlight specific examples where you successfully delivered outcomes at pace, emphasising your ability to create value and control costs.

✨Demonstrate Market Intelligence

GSK values candidates who can gather and analyse market intelligence. Be ready to discuss how you've benchmarked the CMO landscape in previous roles and how you would apply that knowledge to develop effective sourcing strategies for GSK.

✨Build Relationships and Communicate Effectively

This position requires cultivating relationships with internal stakeholders and CMO partners. Prepare to share examples of how you've built strong networks in the past and how you effectively communicated supply chain insights to support business strategies.

Director, External Manufacturing Procurement - Drug Substance (London)
Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc.
B
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