Sr. Director, Procurement, Clinical Development, Category Group Head

Role Summary

Senior Director, Procurement for Clinical Development (Category Group Head) responsible for transforming Lab, Diagnostics, Digital, Data, and Patient & Site Solutions procurement within Clinical Enablement. Defines and delivers next-generation category strategies, drives supplier innovation, and leads a global team to accelerate clinical development through strategic partnerships and governance models.

Responsibilities

• Provide enterprise-level direction across multiple categories and therapeutic areas, ensuring alignment with R&D, Global Procurement, and corporate priorities.
• Define and execute transformative category strategies that integrate technology, digital capabilities, and innovative supplier solutions to accelerate clinical development.
• Drive cross-enterprise alignment and collaboration through participation in Innovation Councils, Category SteerCos, and executive governance forums.
• Lead modernization initiatives focused on innovative pricing models, enhanced supplier relationship management, and increased transparency and performance.
• Evolve procurement operations from transactional to strategic orchestration by embedding advanced analytics, AI-enabled decision tools, and supplier relationship management frameworks.
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to senior R&D and enterprise leaders, influencing key investment decisions and supplier partnerships that directly impact drug development timelines and value creation.
• Collaborate across Development, Finance, Legal, and Digital functions to ensure cohesive execution of enterprise priorities, championing integration between R&D and Global Procurement.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a global team of procurement professionals and senior managers, ensuring clarity of purpose, strong performance management, and succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement‚Äîbuilding the next generation of procurement leadership talent.
• Deliver measurable operational, financial, and innovation-driven outcomes by applying advanced category management principles and supplier collaboration frameworks.
• Partner with Finance and R&D stakeholders to define and achieve productivity, cost optimization, and innovation targets.
• Strengthen governance and performance oversight across supplier portfolios through structured reviews, KPI monitoring, and contract compliance.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supplier and operational risks that could impact study delivery or regulatory compliance.
• Champion innovation through supplier co-creation, automation, and next-generation procurement.
• Leverage data and analytics to inform strategy, drive transparency, and continuously optimize supplier performance and value delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum education of a bachelor's degree; MBA or MS preferred.
• 10‚Äì15 years in biopharmaceutical, life sciences, or related industry with 8‚Äì10 years in strategic procurement or sourcing leadership.
• Proven success leading multi-category global procurement portfolios, managing senior stakeholder relationships, and delivering enterprise-level transformation.
• Experience in R&D or Development Operations procurement with understanding of clinical trial operations and supplier ecosystems.
• Experience leading global teams and mentoring senior professionals.
• Deep expertise in category management, supplier performance frameworks, and outcome-based contracting models.
• Strong financial, analytical, and negotiation skills with a track record of delivering measurable business value.
• Travel: May be required (domestic and international) for business meetings, supplier visits, and cross-functional engagements.

Education

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree required; MBA or MS preferred.

Skills

• Strategic procurement leadership
• Category management and SRM
• Financial analysis and negotiation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Data analytics and AI-enabled decision tools
• Governance, risk management, and compliance