Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.)
Associate Director, Strategic Sourcing, Clinical Category Lead
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.), Princeton, New Jersey, us, 08543
Overview
Associate Director, Strategic Sourcing, Clinical Category Lead at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.). The role leads Strategic Sourcing efforts for R&D categories including data management, diagnostics, patient platforms, site management and clinical trial support suppliers across all phases of development. This position aims to optimize supplier performance, ensure regulatory compliance and support the delivery of high-quality, timely clinical trials through strong supplier partnerships and sourcing strategies. The ideal candidate will translate business partner goals into Sourcing objectives to provide a value-added service to the organization. Responsibilities
Under the direction of R&D Sourcing leadership, build relationships with R&D business partners to develop and enable sourcing strategies that align with business needs while meeting financial, operational, risk, quality, regulatory, and assurance of supply/service objectives. Manage and identify key supplier relationships by enabling operational delivery, continuous improvement, and innovation through performance measurement, governance, supplier relationship development, and alignment to business and corporate goals. Champion Sourcing by ensuring and monitoring compliance with sourcing policies and processes through stakeholder communication, training, and reporting of exceptions and deviations. Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities within the process area. Drive 10-15% annual savings within in-scope spend areas. Lead and execute significant, high-value sourcing activities with cross-functional teams by assessing the category market, collecting business requirements, soliciting RFxs, leading contractual and rate card negotiations, and ensuring the strategic contractual infrastructure supports business priorities. Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards. Assess and mitigate supplier risks, driving quality and adhering to regulatory guidelines. Create excellence through consistent, high-quality outcomes. Strategic Sourcing Vision, Strategy, and Objectives
Execute against a common vision and strategy for Strategic Sourcing at Otsuka. Partner with business leaders and other stakeholders to gain their perspectives and endorsement of the vision and strategy. Produce measurements of success (KPIs) and processes to capture, consolidate and report sourcing performance versus objectives to business partners. Provide regular reporting and tracking of overall sourcing initiatives and their progress, including issues and risks, to ELT, Business Leaders, and Stakeholders. Provide category expertise to business partners regarding changes in the category supplier landscape including new and existing suppliers. Strategic Sourcing Process and Policy
Provide appropriate training across the organization on the importance of following Sourcing policies and processes. Ensure controls meet regulatory requirements (e.g., J-SOX, Third Party Risk Management). Ensure best practices in Sourcing including spend analysis, RFx tooling, contract management, establishment of Preferred Supplier Programs, and realization of all Sourcing savings in financials. Oversee key service provider relationships by participating in governance and business review meetings. Lead negotiations for Master Services Agreements and Amendments; manage Task Orders and change orders to ensure timely execution of contracts and budget alignment. Enable the success of the MSP model by establishing R&D ways of working, category-specific contract templates, and escalation pathways. Strategic Sourcing Execution
Perform daily activities related to sourcing projects including development of RFx strategy and ongoing contract negotiations. Develop operational metrics to monitor and improve processes across all sourcing projects and report to Sourcing leadership. Ensure all assigned sourcing projects have clear objectives with financial and operational benefits aligned with business stakeholders. Partner with Business Owners and Financial Operations to meet project timelines. Organizational Design and Development
Actively seek development of sourcing and financial capabilities. Qualifications
Experience within the Pharmaceutical or Biotech R&D category with demonstrated expertise in the discipline. Experience in executing R&D sourcing projects yielding preferred or strategic partnerships. Experience interacting with senior-level stakeholders and suppliers. Proficient in evaluating and developing procurement strategies aligned with R&D stakeholders to maximize efficiency and minimize cost with minimal oversight. Proficient in negotiating supplier contracts and rate cards to achieve value and quality. Proven ability to launch and manage financial KPIs for Sourcing. Proven ability to build successful stakeholder relationships. Expertise in data analysis and deriving actionable insights. Basic understanding of ICH E6 guidelines. Skills and Experience
7-10 years of experience in R&D Strategic Sourcing roles, including transformational work within teams. Executive presence with ability to influence at senior levels. Ability to anticipate trends and create actionable plans for future needs. Familiarity with emerging procurement technologies. Outstanding communication skills; ability to simplify complex procurement concepts for business use. Strong customer service orientation and client-focused mindset. Experience leading large, complex sourcing events in the R&D category. Effective influencing and negotiating skills across organizational levels. High analytical capability to synthesize data for critical decisions. Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and drug development. Education
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Sciences or relevant technical field. Advanced degree (MBA/MS) preferred. Compensation
Minimum $146,955.00 – Maximum $219,650.00, plus incentive opportunity. The pay range represents a typical range for roles in the United States; actual pay depends on experience, skills, and internal equity. Location
Princeton, NJ Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage; basic life, AD&D; short- and long-term disability; tuition reimbursement; student loan assistance; generous 401(k) match; flexible time off; paid holidays and paid leave programs; and other company benefits. Equal Employment Opportunity
Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
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Associate Director, Strategic Sourcing, Clinical Category Lead at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.). The role leads Strategic Sourcing efforts for R&D categories including data management, diagnostics, patient platforms, site management and clinical trial support suppliers across all phases of development. This position aims to optimize supplier performance, ensure regulatory compliance and support the delivery of high-quality, timely clinical trials through strong supplier partnerships and sourcing strategies. The ideal candidate will translate business partner goals into Sourcing objectives to provide a value-added service to the organization. Responsibilities
Under the direction of R&D Sourcing leadership, build relationships with R&D business partners to develop and enable sourcing strategies that align with business needs while meeting financial, operational, risk, quality, regulatory, and assurance of supply/service objectives. Manage and identify key supplier relationships by enabling operational delivery, continuous improvement, and innovation through performance measurement, governance, supplier relationship development, and alignment to business and corporate goals. Champion Sourcing by ensuring and monitoring compliance with sourcing policies and processes through stakeholder communication, training, and reporting of exceptions and deviations. Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities within the process area. Drive 10-15% annual savings within in-scope spend areas. Lead and execute significant, high-value sourcing activities with cross-functional teams by assessing the category market, collecting business requirements, soliciting RFxs, leading contractual and rate card negotiations, and ensuring the strategic contractual infrastructure supports business priorities. Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards. Assess and mitigate supplier risks, driving quality and adhering to regulatory guidelines. Create excellence through consistent, high-quality outcomes. Strategic Sourcing Vision, Strategy, and Objectives
Execute against a common vision and strategy for Strategic Sourcing at Otsuka. Partner with business leaders and other stakeholders to gain their perspectives and endorsement of the vision and strategy. Produce measurements of success (KPIs) and processes to capture, consolidate and report sourcing performance versus objectives to business partners. Provide regular reporting and tracking of overall sourcing initiatives and their progress, including issues and risks, to ELT, Business Leaders, and Stakeholders. Provide category expertise to business partners regarding changes in the category supplier landscape including new and existing suppliers. Strategic Sourcing Process and Policy
Provide appropriate training across the organization on the importance of following Sourcing policies and processes. Ensure controls meet regulatory requirements (e.g., J-SOX, Third Party Risk Management). Ensure best practices in Sourcing including spend analysis, RFx tooling, contract management, establishment of Preferred Supplier Programs, and realization of all Sourcing savings in financials. Oversee key service provider relationships by participating in governance and business review meetings. Lead negotiations for Master Services Agreements and Amendments; manage Task Orders and change orders to ensure timely execution of contracts and budget alignment. Enable the success of the MSP model by establishing R&D ways of working, category-specific contract templates, and escalation pathways. Strategic Sourcing Execution
Perform daily activities related to sourcing projects including development of RFx strategy and ongoing contract negotiations. Develop operational metrics to monitor and improve processes across all sourcing projects and report to Sourcing leadership. Ensure all assigned sourcing projects have clear objectives with financial and operational benefits aligned with business stakeholders. Partner with Business Owners and Financial Operations to meet project timelines. Organizational Design and Development
Actively seek development of sourcing and financial capabilities. Qualifications
Experience within the Pharmaceutical or Biotech R&D category with demonstrated expertise in the discipline. Experience in executing R&D sourcing projects yielding preferred or strategic partnerships. Experience interacting with senior-level stakeholders and suppliers. Proficient in evaluating and developing procurement strategies aligned with R&D stakeholders to maximize efficiency and minimize cost with minimal oversight. Proficient in negotiating supplier contracts and rate cards to achieve value and quality. Proven ability to launch and manage financial KPIs for Sourcing. Proven ability to build successful stakeholder relationships. Expertise in data analysis and deriving actionable insights. Basic understanding of ICH E6 guidelines. Skills and Experience
7-10 years of experience in R&D Strategic Sourcing roles, including transformational work within teams. Executive presence with ability to influence at senior levels. Ability to anticipate trends and create actionable plans for future needs. Familiarity with emerging procurement technologies. Outstanding communication skills; ability to simplify complex procurement concepts for business use. Strong customer service orientation and client-focused mindset. Experience leading large, complex sourcing events in the R&D category. Effective influencing and negotiating skills across organizational levels. High analytical capability to synthesize data for critical decisions. Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and drug development. Education
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Sciences or relevant technical field. Advanced degree (MBA/MS) preferred. Compensation
Minimum $146,955.00 – Maximum $219,650.00, plus incentive opportunity. The pay range represents a typical range for roles in the United States; actual pay depends on experience, skills, and internal equity. Location
Princeton, NJ Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage; basic life, AD&D; short- and long-term disability; tuition reimbursement; student loan assistance; generous 401(k) match; flexible time off; paid holidays and paid leave programs; and other company benefits. Equal Employment Opportunity
Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
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