Key responsibilities
Develop and execute sourcing strategies for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients, formulation intermediates, primary and secondary packaging, and CMO services.
Manage end‑to‑end procurement for development and commercial projects: specification review, supplier pre‑qualification, RFI/RFP execution, bid evaluation, negotiation, contracting, and PO issuance.
Coordinate with cross‑functional teams (R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Planning) to align procurement timelines with development milestones and product launches.
Oversee supplier qualification and audits to ensure GMP, quality systems, and regulatory compliance; manage corrective actions and continuous improvement plans.
Optimize total cost of ownership through lifecycle costing, value engineering, strategic sourcing, and inventory strategies for critical formulation components.
Mitigate supply risk via multi‑sourcing, capacity assessments, contingency planning, and import/export logistics management.
Manage supplier relationships in Japan, Korea, and APAC; lead commercial negotiations, long‑term agreements, and performance reviews.
Leverage procurement systems and analytics to improve spend visibility, forecast demand for formulation materials, and shorten sourcing cycle times.
Coach and develop procurement team members and support knowledge transfer on technical sourcing topics.
Required qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field; advanced degree or procurement certification preferred.
5–8+ years procurement experience with at least 3 years in pharmaceutical formulation, CMO/CMO procurement, or related technical sourcing.
Business‑level Japanese or Korean (speaking, reading, writing) required.
Demonstrated experience with supplier qualification, GMP requirements, and regulatory interfaces.
Proven track record negotiating complex supply agreements for APIs, excipients, packaging, or CMO services.
Preferred experience and tools
Experience with clinical and commercial stage projects, tech transfers, and scale‑up procurement.
Familiarity with APAC supplier networks, import/export controls, and customs for pharmaceutical goods.
Proficiency with ERP/eProcurement systems, TMS, and BI tools (Power BI/Tableau) for spend analytics.
Knowledge of quality management systems and audit processes.
