Executive Director, Product Development, Analytical Services & Direct Material

Ladders; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 262,000 - 317,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sustainable procurement practices

Organizational change leadership

Innovative procurement practices and技n

Professional development support

Job summary

Ladders is seeking an Executive Director, Product Development, Analytical Services & Direct Material to oversee the integration of procurement with product development and analytical services. This leader will build governance, improve reporting, and drive cross-functional execution across teams in a regulated environment.

The role emphasizes supplier risk management, cost reduction, and the development of a high-performance procurement team to create long-term value.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of international business experience, including 10-12 years in procurement.
• Extensive knowledge of category management and strategic sourcing.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional project teams.
• Documented success in cost reduction and value improvement programs.
• Experience in GMP procurement is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration of direct materials procurement with product development and analytical services teams.
• Establish governance and reporting standards across combined teams.
• Develop and implement long-term category strategies for all sub-categories.
• Create and oversee the annual category plan to meet financial targets.
• Assess and mitigate risks in supplier relationships and supply chain.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives across development and direct materials categories.
• Lead and mentor procurement professionals, fostering a culture of excellence.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Strategic sourcing

Category management

GMP procurement

Cost reduction

Education

BS/BA

MS/MBA

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Executive Director, Product Development, Analytical Services & Direct Material to join the team of a leader in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech space.

This leader will oversee the integration of direct materials procurement with product development and analytical services, helping align category strategy with broader business objectives. The role is focused on building governance, improving reporting, and driving cross-functional execution across teams. You will also lead supplier risk management, cost reduction efforts, and team development to support long-term value creation in a regulated environment.

Location: Princeton, NJ - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $261,630 – $317,034 annually

Responsibilities

• Lead integration of direct materials procurement with product development and analytical services teams
• Establish governance and reporting standards across combined teams
• Develop and implement long-term category strategies for all sub-categories
• Create and oversee the annual category plan to meet financial targets
• Assess and mitigate risks in supplier relationships and supply chain
• Drive cost reduction initiatives across development and direct materials categories
• Lead and mentor procurement professionals, fostering a culture of excellence

Qualifications

• B.S./B.A. required; M.S./M.B.A. preferred
• 15+ years of international business experience, including 10-12 years in procurement
• Extensive knowledge of category management and strategic sourcing
• Proven experience leading cross-functional project teams
• Documented success in cost reduction and value improvement programs
• Experience in GMP procurement required
• Strong leadership experience with senior professionals and managers

Benefits

• Commitment to sustainable procurement practices
• Opportunity to lead significant organizational change and team integration
• Access to innovative procurement practices and technologies
• Support for continual professional development and team mentoring

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.