Job Summary

This role is responsible for one of our most critical global categories, Lab Operations.  The category has Executive Committee and Board level visibility given the criticality, risk and level of spend.  The ideal candidate must have a proven track record of partnering with business stakeholders to deliver value and support of critical business objectives. They must be collaborative in nature with the ability to influence others and lead change.  They must be highly analytical, a problem solver and an out of the box thinker with the ability to develop market insights and implement tactics to simplify buying for the scientific community. They will bring innovative technology and solutions to CRL, identify trends and devise strategies to manage the various market forces that drive risk and cost for CRL and the industry, understand global multimillion dollar spend categories and act as a strategic partner to functional areas within the company.  In addition, the candidate must be capable of driving overall best value sourcing strategies for categories (risk, quality, service and cost), rationalizing the supply base, negotiating and contracting, SRM (supplier relationship management) and establishing partnerships with key suppliers.  
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  
•    Develop and implement global category sourcing strategies with business leads for assigned categories of products and services, several which are complex and of strategic importance, high value and critical to the success of the business.
•    Drive efficiency and simplification of procurement processes including consignment and vendor managed inventory solutions.
•    Identify opportunities and lead cross functional teams on projects that will deliver value across the multiple sites and regions within the company.  Work in a collaborative manner to develop business cases, influence stakeholders and manage change related to these projects.
•    Implement SRM with strategic suppliers and all key suppliers and utilize analytics to enable effective procurement strategies to measure and improve supplier performance against key business objectives while reducing costs and increasing value.
•    Stay current and informed on the global market (category based), changing technologies, and market trends to ensure CRL category strategies are delivering maximum value while maintaining quality and service.
•    Work closely with suppliers to identify, manage, and mitigate risks in the supply chain, follow market conditions and collect vendor intelligence; anticipate market trends and develop risk mitigation strategies.
•    Collaborate with Procurement peers at the corporate and site levels to ensure alignment on strategies and key projects within the category.
•    Develop, negotiate and manage global contracts including as appropriate supply agreements, statements of work and quality specifications, and quality agreements.  
•    Foster senior level relationships to better understand and align with business strategy and direction to prioritize initiatives and harmonize business and category strategies.  
•    Effectively communicate within and across departments and businesses to ensure sharing of information and best practices aimed at breaking down silos.
•    Manage supplier relationships and serve as their key contact for contract management and service level adherence, ensure appropriate level of relationship for strategic suppliers. Resolve disputes and commercial issues with suppliers in conjunction with internal customers.
•    Manage cost savings and performance measurement systems for supplier contracts. Where appropriate, track, analyze and report cost savings against investment proposals, capital expenditure and contract spend commitments. Utilize and manage reporting procedures that meet the internal needs of Finance, Legal, Procurement and Audit.
•    Analyze, develop and implement strategies aimed at supplier reduction and tail spend consolidation.
•    Ensure awareness and enforcement of related process and policy, working with Finance, Legal, Procurement and Audit as appropriate. Create process documents, SOPs and work instructions as required.
•    Lead sourcing projects through formal RFP/RFQ processes and assure the success of sourcing projects with attention to detail and communication with involved parties. 
•    Support the policy of equal employment opportunity through affirmative action in personnel actions.
•    Ensure adherence to pertinent regulatory requirements and to departmental policies, practices and procedures (SOPs, safety procedures and biosafety protocols).
•    Perform all other related duties as assigned.
 

Profile and Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education:  Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent in a related discipline.  MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience:  
  • 6-9 years relevant procurement experience, preferably in a life sciences company 
  • 2-5 Year applicable strategic category experience in Lab categories such as supplies, consumables, reagents, chemicals, equipment, life sciences, etc.   
  • Proven track record of driving value through workstreams such as (but not limited to)
    • Tail spend consolidation
    • Punchout catalog implementation and optimization
    • Best in class management of global supplies/consumable distributors
    • Implementation and optimization of scientific service exchanges
    • Etc.
  • Strong data analytics 
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
• Certification/Licensure:  CPSM preferred.
• Other:   Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal, analytical, presentation, influencing and negotiation skills required.  Must possess in-depth knowledge of complex pricing arrangements and supplier profitability.  Project management skills and familiarity with Lean and Process Improvement concepts is a plus.