Procurement Lead

Talentspace Hr Consultancy; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Talentspace Hr Consultancy seeks an experienced Head of Procurement to steer strategic procurement across APIs, excipients, packaging, MRO, CAPEX, and services for regulated pharmaceutical markets. The role drives supplier partnerships, risk management, and compliance, with a focus on API/formulation/CDMO environments and US/EU/ROW markets.

The ideal candidate will lead strategic sourcing, supplier qualification, and contract negotiations while aligning procurement plans with manufacturing and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in Pharmaceutical Procurement or Supply Chain.
• 58 years of leadership experience, preferably in global/strategic procurement.
• Strong experience in API, formulation, and/or CDMO environments.
• Experience working with regulated pharmaceutical markets (US, EU, ROW).
• Proven track record in cross-functional/matrix organizations.
• Expertise in strategic sourcing, vendor development, negotiations, and cost optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing across APIs, excipients, packaging, MRO, CAPEX and services.
• Manage supplier qualification, audits, and performance evaluations.
• Drive negotiations with CROs/CMOs and other partners; review contracts for commercial effectiveness.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive value creation.
• Ensure procurement plans align with manufacturing and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with QA, Regulatory, Finance, and R&D to ensure compliance and continuity of supply.
• Develop contingency plans and risk mitigation for critical materials.
• Lead and develop the procurement team and establish governance and performance standards.
• Support readiness for regulatory and customer audits and drive GMP-aligned procurement practices.

Job description

Role Summary :

We are looking for an experienced Head of Procurement to lead and drive strategic procurement across APIs, excipients, packaging materials, MRO, CAPEX, and services for regulated pharmaceutical markets.

The role will be responsible for developing strategic sourcing initiatives, strengthening supplier partnerships, optimizing procurement costs, managing supply-chain risks, ensuring regulatory and quality compliance, and driving procurement excellence across the organization.

The ideal candidate should have strong experience in pharmaceutical procurement/supply chain, with deep exposure to API, formulation, and/or CDMO environments and experience managing procurement in regulated markets such as the US, EU, and ROW.

Role & responsibilities :

1. Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies across APIs, excipients, packaging, MRO, CAPEX, and services.
• Lead category management initiatives to optimize cost, quality, availability, and supplier performance.
• Analyze procurement spend and identify opportunities for cost reduction and value creation.
• Develop and maintain strategic supplier partnerships.

2. Supplier Qualification & Management

• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers in line with business and regulatory requirements.
• Lead supplier audits and performance evaluations.
• Monitor supplier quality, delivery performance, capacity, and compliance.
• Develop alternate and backup suppliers to minimize supply risks.

3. Contract & Commercial Negotiation

• Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers, vendors, CROs, CMOs, and other strategic partners.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, contracts, service levels, and other commercial conditions.
• Review and manage procurement contracts to ensure commercial effectiveness and business protection.

4. Cost Optimization & Value Creation

• Drive procurement cost-saving initiatives against annual targets.
• Conduct spend analysis and identify opportunities for cost optimization.
• Benchmark supplier pricing and market conditions.
• Develop initiatives that improve procurement efficiency while maintaining quality and supply continuity.

5. Supply Chain & Inventory Alignment

• Work closely with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, R&D, and other cross-functional teams.
• Ensure procurement plans are aligned with production and business requirements.
• Monitor inventory levels and support optimization of inventory turnover.
• Ensure continuity of supply for critical materials.

6. Regulatory & Quality Compliance

• Ensure procurement activities comply with applicable pharmaceutical quality and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with Quality and Regulatory teams on supplier qualification and compliance.
• Support readiness for regulatory and customer audits.
• Drive procurement practices aligned with GMP and applicable regulatory standards.

7. Risk Management & Business Continuity

• Identify and assess procurement and supplier-related risks.
• Develop contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies for critical materials.
• Establish business continuity plans to minimize supply disruptions.
• Monitor geopolitical, market, supplier, and capacity-related risks.

8. Third-Party CRO / CMO Program Management

• Manage strategic procurement relationships with third-party CROs and CMOs.
• Coordinate commercial and procurement activities related to outsourced programs.
• Monitor supplier performance, timelines, costs, and contractual commitments.
• Support cross-functional teams in managing external manufacturing and development partners.

9. Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the procurement team.
• Establish procurement processes, governance, and performance standards.
• Drive a culture of strategic sourcing, supplier excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Work effectively within a cross-functional and matrix organizational structure.

Preferred candidate profile

• 15+ years of experience in Pharmaceutical Procurement or Supply Chain.
• Minimum 58 years of leadership experience, preferably in a global or strategic procurement role.
• Strong experience in API, formulation, and/or CDMO environments.
• Experience working with regulated pharmaceutical markets, particularly US, EU, and ROW.
• Proven track record of working in cross-functional/matrix organizations.
• Strong experience in strategic sourcing, vendor development, commercial negotiations, and procurement cost optimization.

• Exposure to regulatory frameworks including FDA, EMA, WHO, and CDSCO.
• Should be capable of working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team and translating procurement strategy into measurable business outcomes.