Associate Director - Strategic Sourcing, External CMO.

The Sourcing, External Manufacturing (CMO) function within Global Strategic Sourcing is responsible for providing strategic and tactical oversight of Alexion’s External CMO network for commercial products.

The Sourcing Category Lead is responsible for the proactive development and management of commercial business relationships with Alexion’s External contract supply network including contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) used for the manufacture and supply of Drug Substance, Drug Product, Devices and Finished Product.

The Category Lead, Strategic Sourcing, CMO will ensure that the company has best class commercial CMO Management capability, within sourcing, contracting procurement and finance policy and procedures which are kept up to date as the business continuously evolves and develops to meet the needs of patients.

This position will work closely with key stakeholders from Alexion’s External Manufacturing and Operations (EM&O), Quality, Clinical Manufacturing Planning, Technical Services, Business Development, Product Management, Legal and Finance.  The successful candidate will seek to continuously improve performance and delivery within Alexion Contract Manufacturing Network ensuring that the network operates in accordance with the highest standards of compliance, ethics and integrity.    

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Act as Sourcing Lead for External Contract Manufacturing Organisations (CMO) for Sourcing Processes (MvB/RFI/RPF/EoI), Contracting and Negotiation and Business Support within Alexion Operations.
• Develop and manage the business performance, financial and commercial relationship with contract manufactures (CMOs). Build and maintain relationships with senior business and executive leadership at CMOs
• Act as business escalation for EM&O and the external supply network to resolve issues and mitigate business risk
• Lead Contract Negotiations and execution of commercial service/supply agreements and related child agreements, ensuring alignment with internal business stakeholders to optimize CMO delivery, while securing the lowest TCO and access to the highest levels of service and quality
• Lead sourcing process and support stakeholder requirements to deliver Late Stage Network Strategy Team business requests in conjunction with key stakeholders (Technical/Quality/Supply Planning). Includes risk management and dual sourcing initiatives.
• Direct and influence Alexion’s contract supply network to identify and implement cost savings and process improvements based on inputs from internal partners
• Lead and Support business partners to develop and enforce contract compliance to manage and measure supplier performance and develop relationships with suppliers
• Follow market trends for applicable category of spend. Use this knowledge to support internal customers. Evaluate financial aspects of key cost drivers of global markets using published industry data, and benchmarked data
• Influence supply decision making for commercial, clinical and business development assets including project support and participating in assigned meetings (Program / CMC / LSNS)
• Be committed to manage cost control and reductions for assigned category while maintaining continuous timely supply of business process and services.
• Introduce new and innovative ideas for the sourcing and procurement of goods and services.

Required Experience / Qualifications

• Demonstrated sourcing, procurement, negotiation and contracting leadership in External Contract Manufacturing GMP Pharma environment
• Demonstrated category management experience within CDMO, CMO and CLO areas with direct experience in contract negotiations, business issue resolution and supplier relationship management
• Demonstrated ability to influence internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience working with cross functional global teams
• Excellent understanding of commercial business processes, innovation and continuous improvements
• Detail-oriented with the ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities
• Knowledge of Manufacturing, Quality and Regulatory requirements as they relate to the Biotech / Pharma manufacturing industry

• Strong leadership, presentation, and communication skills with proven ability to influence at executive level
• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Business, Procurement or equivalent with relevant external contract manufacturing experience
• Minimum 5 -10 years’ experience in a US Multi-National GMP sourcing & external manufacturing environment

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.