Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Uniphar Group; Dublin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Uniphar Group is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist in Ireland to manage shortages in the Irish market and coordinate both retail and hospital product requirements. The role is full-time and based in CityWest, with ownership of end-to-end sourcing, supplier engagement, and timely execution of sourcing solutions in a fast-changing environment.

You will monitor HPRA signals, secure compliant supply routes, and collaborate with KAMs, CS teams, and Commercial to drive momentum and improve stock

Qualifications

• Sourcing medicines shortages within the Irish market.
• Experience in delivering sourcing solutions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build relationships with manufacturers, hospitals and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead shortages & new product sourcing in the Irish market.
• Identify compliant and viable supply routes and alternatives.
• Monitor signals from HPRA, wholesalers, hospitals and internal teams.
• Develop relationships with manufacturers, hospitals and key internal stakeholders.
• Manage bespoke hospital requests end-to-end and support urgent escalations.
• Work with KAMs, Customer Service and Commercial teams to align on actions.
• Maintain KPI reporting on shortage sourcing, hospital fulfilment, turnaround times and supplier performance.
• Report stock levels, stock value and stock-at-risk to Finance and stakeholders.

Skills

Sourcing strategy

Stakeholder management

Data reporting

Commercial awareness

Clinical knowledge

Job description

Role Purpose

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist is responsible for sourcing medicine shortages within the Irish market and managing both retail-specific and hospital-specific product requirements.

Full-time Permanent

CityWest

This role supports a key strategic pillar for the business by:

• Ensuring continuity of supply for critical medicines
• Securing reliable sourcing routes
• Supporting hospital demand and urgent requirements
• Take ownership of proactively following up with stakeholders to maintain momentum and drive timely decisions
• Leverage internal stakeholders to support opportunity assessment, product identification, and rapid execution of sourcing solutions

The role is operational, hands-on, and execution-focused, delivering timely, compliant, and commercially viable sourcing solutions in a fast paced, every changing environment.

Core Responsibilities

• Shortages & New Product Sourcing
• Lead sourcing of medicines within the Irish market
• Identify compliant and viable supply routes and alternatives
• Monitor signals from HPRA, wholesalers, hospitals, and internal teams
• Proactively identify emerging shortages
• Develop relationships with Manufacturers, Hospitals and key internal stakeholders
• Retail & Hospital Support & Escalations
• Manage bespoke hospital requests end-to-end
• Support urgent escalations and critical drug requirements
• Work closely with:
  • Key Account Managers (KAMs)
  • Customer Service teams
  • Commercial teams
• Provide clear updates and shortage intelligence to stakeholders
• Collaborate on pricing/commercial decisions (which will be supported by wider Procurement and Commercial team)
• Ensure key actions and decisions remain visible, with proactive follow-up to prevent delays and maintain stakeholder accountability
• Supplier Management
• Maintain a focused network of shortage suppliers
• Build strong relationships with specialist suppliers, both internally and externally
• Have the ability to react quickly and execute plans embracing flexibility and creative solutions
• Become a subject expert on UK market in particular, but also broaden the Dept knowledge of the international medicine landscape
• Stock Ownership
• Manage stock levels to ensure availability
• Monitor stock value within agreed guidelines
• Identify and manage stock-at-risk:
  • Expiry
  • Slow-moving lines
  • Demand shifts
• Work with Commercial Team (KAMs & Hospital/Retail Management) to determine reinvestment qtys
• Work with the Finance Team to determine risk levels associated with stock
• Execution & Responsiveness
• Drive rapid sourcing timelines
• Target quick turnaround on supplier engagement (e.g. initial quotes)
• Ensure fastest viable supply routes are pursued
• Assess margin vs additional transport costs vs reputational impact
• Data & Reporting
• Maintain KPI reporting on:
  • Shortage sourcing
  • Hospital fulfilment
  • Turnaround times
  • Supplier performance
• Report weekly on:
  • Stock levels
  • Stock value
  • Stock-at-risk
  • Stock to reinvest
• Use data and market intelligence to identify trends and risks.
• Report monthly to Finance regarding stock at risk.
• Communication Ownership
• Provide clear, timely updates to:
  • Hospital and Retail CS team
  • KAMs
  • Internal stakeholders
  • Suppliers
• Ensure ownership and consistent messaging on:
  • Availability
  • Timelines
  • Risks

Commercial awareness is very much expected in this role however this role is not solely accountable for this. Working in partnership with key stakeholders will support the development of commercial awareness and promote shared accountability.

Strong clinical knowledge is preferred for this role; however, it should not come at the expense of commercial capability.

Our Vision

What we strive to do

Our Mission

Why we exist We are focused on improving patient access to pharmaco-medical products and treatments by enhancing connectivity between manufacturers and healthcare stakeholder

Our Shared Values

• Patient First -The patient is always at the centre of everything we do.
• Customer Partnership - We stay close to our customers who trust us to deliver.
• Team Players We work together as one team to deliver solutions.
• Commercial Focus We stay agile, responsive and focused on the goal.
• Innovative and Entrepreneurial We focus on bringing new solutions to challenges.

Our Global Footprint

Enables us to offer flexible ways of working, allowing employees to be based in one of our offices or work remotely where the nature of the role permits. While occasional travel and in-person meetings may be required, some flexibility in working hours may also be needed to collaborate effectively with colleagues and clients across different time zones. In return, you'll join an organisation that recognises the importance of balancing professional and personal commitments. Through our flexible working culture, we foster a balanced, progressive, and supportive environment that empowers our people to perform at their best while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.