Associate Director, Research Procurement and Contracts Lead

The Opportunity:

As a key member of the Information and Research Hub (IRH), the Research Procurement and Contracts Lead will connect Research teams with the G&A functions that enable purchasing system activities. The role will lead Research contracting and procurement activities, improve how external partners are engaged and managed, and oversee Research purchasing support resources.

• Lead and coordinate the Research contracting portfolio, including administrative support for academic collaborations, CRO agreements, and other external research agreements.

• Serve as a primary connector between Research and G&A functions, translating Research needs and timelines into coordinated action with Procurement, Legal and Finance/Accounts Payable.

• Lead initiatives that improve Research vendor strategy, fit-for-purpose processes, integration with new business systems and derive more effective use of vendor services.

• Partner with Research Functions to define clear R&Rs for CRO and external-provider engagements, whereby scientific teams retain scientific strategy and oversight.

• Maintain visibility to purchasing activities, external commitments, budgets, vendor performance, risks; provide practical reporting, metrics and escalation to stakeholders.

• Manage, coach, and develop Research purchasing support resources, setting priorities, service expectations, and consistent ways of working.

Required Experience, Skills and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of experience in a relevant administrative role (procurement, contract management, purchasing departments) in the pharmaceutical Research environment.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact daily with diverse cross-functional stakeholders.

• Innovative, proactive and collaborative team-player with high energy to keep pace with our growing and evolving company environment.

• Must have excellent organizational skills, detail-minded, results-oriented, and vision to mature the Research Purchasing activities.

• Must be a self-starter and able to function independently in a fluid environment under tight timelines.  

• Advanced capability with MS Office software and Smartsheets, purchasing and contract management software applications, such as Omnea, IronClad, Coupa.

Preferred Skills:

• Relevant scientific experience (Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or other) would be highly advantageous.

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