Global Procurement Category Manager - Digital & IT R&D

UCB; Anderlecht; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UCB is seeking a Global Procurement Category Manager, Digital & IT R&D in Brussels, Belgium. You will secure optimal value acquiring software and digital tech across the full R&D lifecycle, collaborating with R&D stakeholders to assess providers and negotiate terms.

This role requires 8+ years in strategic procurement, strong negotiation and supplier management, experience with pharmaceutical R&D, and fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in strategic procurement or digital technology procurement.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical R&D processes and related software.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement in a global setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage global Digital & IT R&D technology spend and end-to-end procurement processes.
• Develop category strategies for software supporting discovery to CMC activities.
• Identify opportunities to optimize spend and increase supplier value.
• Build relationships with R&D stakeholders and strategic technology suppliers.
• Lead supplier selection activities for R&D technology solutions.
• Oversee RFI/RFP processes using approved tools and templates.
• Provide fact-based sourcing recommendations based on market dynamics.
• Negotiate terms with large providers and ensure contract compliance with Legal and Digital Technology.
• Embed data protection, regulatory, quality, and sustainability requirements in contracts.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Supplier management

Negotiation

English fluency

Job description

Make your mark for patients We are looking for a

Make your mark for patients We are looking for a Global Procurement Category Manager, Digital & IT R&D who is strategic, influential, and deeply knowledgeable about digital research and development technologies to join our Procurement team at UCB, based out of Brussels, Belgium.

About The Role

As the Global Procurement Category Manager, Digital & IT R&D, you will ensure the organization secures optimal value when acquiring software and digital technology solutions supporting the full research and development lifecycle. This includes technologies related to discovery, pre-clinical, clinical, regulatory, safety, quality, and CMC activities. You will collaborate closely with R&D stakeholders to understand business needs, assess technology providers, negotiate optimal commercial terms, and proactively manage a global Digital R&D technology spend. Your strong understanding of pharmaceutical R&D processes and digital R&D technologies will enable you to make informed decisions and drive procurement excellence across multiple regions and regulatory landscapes.

Who You’ll Work With

You will report to the Head of Digital & IT Procurement and will work closely with R&D Digital Technology leadership, cross-functional internal stakeholders, and strategic Digital R&D technology suppliers. Operating within a global remit, you will build productive relationships with large R&D technology providers, partner with internal teams to support business needs across the R&D value chain, and act as a key advisor on technology sourcing, supplier relationship management, contractual negotiations, and sustainability requirements.

What You’ll Do

• Manage a global Digital R&D technology spend and oversee end-to-end procurement processes across the R&D lifecycle.
• Develop and implement category strategies for software supporting discovery, pre-clinical, clinical, regulatory, safety, quality, and CMC activities.
• Identify opportunities to optimize Digital R&D technology spend and enhance supplier value.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with R&D stakeholders and strategic technology suppliers.
• Identify potential suppliers and lead supplier selection efforts for R&D technology solutions.
• Manage complex RFI/RFP processes using procurement-approved tools.
• Provide fact-based sourcing recommendations considering R&D technology market dynamics, supplier capabilities, and competitive trends.
• Negotiate commercial terms with large R&D technology providers and ensure contractual compliance in partnership with Legal and Digital Technology.
• Embed risk management, data protection, regulatory, quality, and sustainability requirements into supplier contracts where applicable.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and approve POs within defined thresholds.

Interested? For this role we’re looking for:

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in strategic procurement, sourcing, supplier management, or digital technology roles, preferably with exposure to pharmaceutical R&D environments.
• Previous experience working with R&D technology categories and a strong understanding of pharmaceutical R&D processes across discovery, pre-clinical, clinical, regulatory, safety, quality, and CMC domains.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management experience, including with large R&D technology providers.
• Good understanding of digital R&D technology landscapes, software solutions, market dynamics, and supplier ecosystems.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and influencing skills in a global and cross-functional environment.
• Team-oriented, collaborative mindset with commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Fluent in English.

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients?

About Us

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us?

At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [e-mail]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.