Strategic Sourcing Associate Director

Role Summary

Associate Director of Strategic Sourcing responsible for leading category management activities for Small Molecules focusing on Raw materials and API within development and commercial manufacturing. Requires understanding of global sourcing from CMO/CDMOs, supplier landscapes, and industry regulations to ensure uninterrupted supply of high-quality materials at competitive prices. This role collaborates with the business to define category strategies, manages key strategic suppliers, and aims to drive value for Vertex and patients. Hybrid work in Boston, MA with some travel.

Responsibilities

• Business Partnering ‚Äì develop trusting relationships with stakeholders, understand objectives, bring supplier and marketplace expertise, collaborate on multi-year strategic and operational plans, and drive business outcomes.
• Global Category Management ‚Äì develop and manage category and sourcing strategies, manage strategic supplier relationships and performance, and conduct tactical RFx activities.
• Sourcing Strategy Development ‚Äì co-develop and implement sourcing strategies to enable development and commercialization of small molecule portfolio; identify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage relationships.
• Supplier Relationship Management ‚Äì build and maintain relationships with key CDMOs/suppliers; negotiate contracts to secure favorable terms while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.
• Risk Mitigation ‚Äì assess and mitigate supplier risks; develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing options to minimize impact on production.
• Cost Optimization ‚Äì drive cost savings through negotiations, volume leverage, and process improvements without compromising quality or reliability.
• Cross-functional Collaboration ‚Äì work with R&D, external manufacturing, QA, vendor quality, and regulatory affairs to align sourcing with schedules, specs, and regulatory requirements.
• Market Analysis ‚Äì monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and technologies; conduct assessments to identify opportunities and risks.
• Continuous Improvement ‚Äì implement initiatives to streamline sourcing processes, enhance efficiency, and monitor supplier performance using data analytics.
• Financials ‚Äì support annual budget process; provide cost guidance for long-range planning; evaluate BOMs and total COGs to identify opportunities and risks.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in strategic sourcing and procurement in direct sourcing in the pharmaceutical or Life Science industry.
• Proven experience managing categories such as raw materials, API, and/or drug product manufacturing.
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, engineering, or applicable scientific field preferred.
• Proven track record negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and driving cost savings.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to assess risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate across functions and levels.
• Understanding of raw material specifications, quality requirements, and regulatory standards relevant to GMP.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and GMP/ISO norms in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Ability to travel as needed to meet suppliers, visit facilities, and attend industry events.

Skills

• Deep understanding of Category Management; full spectrum of Strategic Sourcing activities.
• Expertise in complex supplier negotiations and supplier management.
• Strong analytical capabilities; experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools.
• Knowledge of Continuous Improvement tools (Pareto charts, flow diagrams, etc.).
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting to senior management.
• Knowledge of contract law and risk assessment across agreements (CDA, MSA, etc.).
• Collaborative mindset and ability to build trusted partnerships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and e-Sourcing tools; BI and reporting platforms.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, engineering, or applicable scientific field preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Hybrid work arrangement: 3 days in office, 2 days remote; some travel to other facilities.