Director of Purchasing

IQVIA; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider in the life sciences industry seeks a Senior Procurement Manager to lead purchasing initiatives across various business functions. The role requires strong leadership skills and a profound understanding of procurement methodologies. You will manage complex projects, optimize vendor relationships, and contribute to regional Purchasing strategies to align with corporate objectives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Indirect Procurement.
• 7+ years in professional services purchasing.
• Experience with Market Research category.

Responsibilities

• Manage Purchasing projects from conception to deployment.
• Lead strategic initiatives and develop implementation plans.
• Oversee preparation of purchasing recommendations to management.

Skills

Analytical Opportunity Assessment

Negotiation

Relationship Building

Creativity & Innovation

Critical Thinking

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Overview

Direct all aspects of Purchasing initiatives either regionally or globally and across different business functions to realize benefits. Ensure adherence to the IQVIA Transnational corporate purchasing policy, which encourages vendor competition.

Essential Functions

1. Effectively manage team resources and delegate tasks according to skill levels. Regularly review workload and quality.
2. Lead corporate or departmental quality or process improvement initiatives.
3. Contribute to regional Purchasing strategy discussions and implement objectives. Ensure staff understand and positively perceive business strategies for regional and global goals.
4. Lead strategic initiatives and develop implementation plans.
5. Manage Purchasing projects from conception to deployment, including establishing budgets, resource plans, milestones, tracking metrics, and success measures.
6. Identify programs impacting the business, develop implementation plans, lead change teams, and liaise with senior management.
7. Define project team membership, process steps, and timelines with stakeholders, ensuring their interests are represented.
8. Oversee preparation and presentation of purchasing recommendations to management and stakeholders.
9. Manage benchmarking and validate opportunities through RFI, RFP processes.
10. Build relationships with internal stakeholders and senior management to align priorities, ensure policy compliance, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
11. Manage vendor relationships using scorecard methodologies to drive improvements.
12. Oversee creation of purchasing plans, priorities, change programs, and vendor management initiatives.

Global Professional Services Competency & Experience Requirements

Business Experience

• 5+ years at a senior management influence level.
• Developed relationships with functional heads across Finance, IT, Legal, HR, Operations, & Marketing.

Procurement / Functional Experience

• 10+ years in Indirect Procurement.
• 7+ years in professional services purchasing, including consultancy services in Finance, HR, Operations, Marketing.
• Experience with Market Research category.
• Candidates from Pharma & Life Sciences with customer-facing experience and key competencies are considered.

Key competencies include: Managing change (Advanced), Relationship Building (Advanced), Creativity & Innovation (Good), Critical Thinking (Good), Business acumen (Good), Negotiation (Good), Analytical Opportunity Assessment (Good).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Knowledge of purchasing methodologies, principles, and practices.
• Proficiency in MS Office.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence, motivate, and manage conflicting priorities.
• Effective at building relationships with colleagues and clients.

We invite you to reimagine healthcare with us and play a vital role in advancing healthcare outcomes.

IQVIA is a leading provider of analytics, technology, and research services to the life sciences industry, committed to making a meaningful impact on global health.