Associate Director, Strategic Procurement

Overview

This opportunity published for a partner company based in the United States focuses on leading strategic procurement and outsourcing activities that support vital research and development efforts. This role uniquely blends expertise in procurement, financial management, and cross-functional collaboration to maximize the impact of external spending.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement sourcing and outsourcing strategies aligned with corporate goals, procurement standards, and industry benchmarks.
• Act as a strategic procurement and financial advisor to departments including clinical operations, R&D, finance, regulatory, and medical affairs.
• Conduct competitive sourcing initiatives such as RFP creation, vendor assessment, bid analysis, and recommendation processes.
• Evaluate outsourcing strategies considering quality, deadlines, operations, and budget implications; offer informed recommendations.
• Contribute expert guidance during contract negotiations on pricing, scope, payment conditions, service levels, and contractual terms.
• Oversee vendor relations and support programs enhancing supplier performance, value realization, and collaboration.
• Generate and maintain financial forecasts related to clinical and research programs, highlighting spending trends, risks, and prospects.
• Review budgets, expenditures, forecasts, and variances, delivering actionable insights.
• Assist with financial closing activities including accrual accounting, invoicing forecasts, and budget reconciliations.
• Analyze vendor expenses, resource use, and investment necessities to guide strategic planning.
• Prepare executive reports and dashboards to summarize research spending, financial health, and significant metrics.
• Champion ongoing process improvements to boost procurement efficiency, financial controls, and operational performance.

Candidate Profile

• A bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, life sciences, or a related discipline is required; an MBA is highly preferred.
• Possess over 8 years of experience spanning procurement, outsourcing, contracting, vendor management, finance, clinical operations, or similar areas.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in clinical research organizations, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or comparable sectors.
• Proven expertise managing clinical study financials, including budgets, forecasting, accruals, and vendor fiscal performance.
• Familiarity with clinical research organizations and external clinical service vendors.
• Deep understanding of clinical trial cost drivers, budgeting principles, and R&D financial planning.
• Advanced financial skills including modeling, variance analysis, budgeting, and senior-level reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with procurement/business management software.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with demonstrated influence across organizational levels.
• Strong organizational abilities to juggle multiple priorities in dynamic environments.
• Track record of cultivating collaborative relationships and functioning effectively across diverse teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically up to 10% of the time.

Benefits and Compensation

• Competitive annual salary ranging from $150,000 to $195,000 USD.
• Comprehensive healthcare, financial, and wellness benefits available to eligible employees and dependents.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Retirement savings plans with company matching contributions.
• Generous paid time off policies.
• Employee wellness and support initiatives.
• Short-term and long-term incentive compensation programs.
• Opportunities for company stock participation to reward performance.
• Flexible working arrangements including options to work remotely.
• Chance to contribute to innovative projects that positively impact patient outcomes.

Additional Information

This role is recruited on behalf of a partner company, who will manage all application reviews and follow-up procedures. Applications are evaluated quickly and objectively using an AI-enabled matching system to ensure fit with core job criteria; final interview and selection decisions rest solely with the hiring organization.

Applicants should be aware their data will be processed according to applicable data protection regulations, including GDPR, and AI tools may be employed to assist with application assessments. Human judgment remains central to hiring decisions.