Procurement Business Partner in Oxford

Shape procurement that enables breakthrough science. At Novo Nordisk, procurement plays a critical role in enabling our scientists to focus on what matters most – discovering and developing life‑changing therapies. As Procurement Business Partner, you will support this mission by combining hands‑on procurement delivery with proactive stakeholder partnering in a dynamic, science‑driven environment.

You will hold a hybrid role that combines classic buyer responsibilities with stakeholder‑focused business partnering. You will work closely with R&D stakeholders to understand their needs, identify upcoming procurement pipeline activities, and deliver timely, compliant, and value‑adding procurement solutions. You will manage procurement activities end‑to‑end, from sourcing and negotiation to contract implementation, supplier relationship management and governance, while acting as a trusted procurement partner to the business. The role covers both smaller operational procurements and more complex sourcing and negotiation activities, requiring strong commercial judgement and stakeholder engagement.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities, including supplier identification, evaluation, and negotiation across both small and more complex contracts.
• Manage contracts including registration, renewals, extensions, and terminations in line with procurement governance and project needs.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, maintain audit trails, and support internal controls across procurement activities.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure compliance with the terms of their contracts and agreed performance levels.

Business partnering & value creation

• Act as the primary procurement point of contact for assigned stakeholders, building strong and trusted relationships.
• Proactively identify and shape the procurement pipeline together with stakeholders, including upcoming sourcing and negotiation needs.
• Lead and support negotiations that balance cost, risk, quality, and speed to support scientific and business objectives.
• Monitor relevant KPIs and procurement data to identify improvement opportunities and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with R&D Operations colleagues, providing direction, prioritisation, and knowledge sharing to ensure efficient execution.

Your new department

You will join Research Site Procurement, a team responsible for delivering efficient, compliant, and value‑adding procurement support to R&D. The department operates with a scaled procurement operating model, combining close business proximity with standardized execution through Global Business Solutions (GBS). In this setup, the Procurement Business Partner works closely with stakeholders to understand demand, shape the procurement pipeline, and lead sourcing and negotiation activities, while also retaining hands‑on responsibility for defined procurement activities.

Your Skills & Qualifications

We’re looking for a procurement professional with 5+ years of experience who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence and thrives in a dynamic, science‑driven environment. Ideally you are CIPS qualified and hold an MBA in Supply Chain Management or equivalent. You’ll also bring with you:

Core Skills

• End‑to‑end procurement experience across sourcing, contract management, P2P operations, compliance, and performance monitoring.
• Strong negotiation capability, with experience negotiating both smaller operational contracts and more complex agreements in multi‑party or cross‑cultural settings.
• Proven stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, understand business needs, and communicate complex topics clearly.

Supporting Skills

• Solid project management skills, enabling effective prioritisation and management of multiple procurement initiatives in parallel.
• Strong analytical and data management skills, including the ability to work with procurement data and KPIs to support decision‑making and improvement.
• Clear and confident communication and presentation skills, enabling effective engagement with a broad range of stakeholders.

Personal attributes

• An independent, proactive, and delivery‑oriented mindset, combined with the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team.

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity, and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long‑term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you’re not just starting a job – you’re becoming part of a story that spans generations.

More information

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Associate Director Anne Kirstine Thorgaard at knty@novonordisk.com. Please note that Anne Kirstine cannot assist with recruitment‑status queries and cannot accept applications sent to her email. To submit your application, click Apply and follow the instructions. Deadline 5 April 2026. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we’re not chasing quick fixes – we’re creating lasting change for long‑term health. For over 100 years, we’ve been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we’re making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.