External Supply Operations Manager in Watford

We are partnering exclusively with a leading global pharmaceutical organisation to identify a high-calibre Strategic Procurement Manager. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned procurement professional to take ownership of complex supplier relationships within a dynamic and fast-paced pharmaceutical environment.

The successful candidate will operate at the intersection of commercial strategy, supply chain excellence, and cross-functional collaboration, playing a pivotal role in ensuring portfolio competitiveness, supply continuity, and long-term supplier partnership development.

The Role

• Take full ownership of strategic supplier relationships, independently managing and growing commercial partnerships with external partners.
• Lead the definition and execution of business strategy for the managed portfolio, working in close alignment with internal stakeholders across the organisation.
• Drive active collaboration with Business Development & Licensing, Transfer, and Launch teams to maximise commercial leverage and growth potential.
• Develop and manage budget estimations, ensuring a strong and well-governed pipeline of projects and initiatives across the portfolio.
• Lead independent commercial negotiations to secure highly competitive terms, while providing strategic support to the Tender team to strengthen market competitiveness.
• Monitor market developments with precision, maintaining close engagement with market representatives to anticipate product requirements and ensure supply availability.
• Oversee supplier performance through clearly defined KPIs, implementing structured recovery plans where necessary to drive targets and accountability.
• Ensure proactive internal stakeholder management across affiliate-level requirements, Supply Chain, and Operational Purchasing teams.
• Maintain rigorous oversight of product lifecycle stages, from volume planning and inventory management through to end-of-life strategy.
• Lead robust contract management in collaboration with the internal Contract Management team, taking full independent ownership post-signature.
• Conduct strategic supplier business review meetings, delivering clear and aligned messaging to external partners and ensuring timely execution of agreed initiatives.
• Proactively identify and manage commercial and supply risks, implementing mitigation strategies to protect business continuity and performance.
• Lead and contribute to internal optimisation projects, driving continuous improvement across procurement operations.

What We Are Looking For

• A degree in natural sciences, business administration, or a comparable discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of proven experience in strategic procurement, ideally within the pharmaceutical, chemical, or food industries.
• Demonstrated experience operating within complex, globally distributed supply networks and managing multi-faceted portfolios.
• A strong track record of leading and developing business relationships with external suppliers at a senior level.
• A high degree of commercial acumen and independence in negotiating competitive contractual terms.
• Solid understanding of market dynamics, supply execution, and product lifecycle management from deal signature through launch, post-launch optimisation, and beyond.
• Strong analytical capability with a structured, data-driven approach to business management and decision-making.
• Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams, driving alignment around shared commercial goals.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to navigate complexity, balance competing priorities, and deliver results.
• A confident, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to thrive in high-pressure, fast-moving environments.
• Fluency in English is essential; additional European languages are advantageous.