Procurement Lead, Direct Materials

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Piscataway Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match on day

Parental leave after 3 months

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

GenScript USA Inc. is seeking a Procurement Lead for Direct Materials in Piscataway, NJ. This role leads the direct procurement team, oversees end-to-end sourcing for production materials, and drives cost-saving initiatives while ensuring regulatory compliance and audit readiness.

The ideal candidate will manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain supply continuity in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Supply Chain Management, Biology and Chemistry, or other related fields.
• 3-5 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or planning of direct materials, preferably in biotech/pharma.
• Demonstrated leadership through people management or project management.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
• Good knowledge of materials used in biotech/pharma production, including raw materials and packing materials.
• Proficiency in ERP systems of SAP and S2P is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the direct procurement team to ensure smooth daily operations and compliance with SLA and KPI targets, and effectively manage team performance.
• Oversee material planning for Green Channel item replenishment to meet inventory KPIs while ensuring continuity of supply.
• Lead strategic sourcing and manage the procurement process for direct materials and consumables used in production, ensuring alignment with cost objectives, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop alternative vendors for critical materials and components to ensure supply continuity and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Conduct category management to identify cost-saving opportunities through vendor consolidation and the use of alternative materials or components.
• Leverage negotiation, analytical, and market research skills to drive value through cost reduction initiatives. Track and report KPIs related to cost savings, cost avoidance, on-time delivery (OTD), and efficiency improvements.
• Execute vendor management by building supplier profiles, conducting regular business reviews, and securing both short- and long-term pricing contracts and Master Supply Agreements (MSAs).
• Serve as the primary point of contact for negotiating and executing contracts and agreements in coordination with the legal team.
• Collaborate closely with production team to provide effective procurement support by understanding production processes, tracking changes in material consumption, and proactively addressing critical issues with urgency.
• Maintain active communication with suppliers of critical materials to stay updated on market conditions, ensure timely deliveries, and identify potential risks and opportunities.
• Work cross-functionally with quality, finance, and other departments to ensure procurement processes remain compliant with company policies and regulatory standards.
• Respond to internal and external audit challenges by providing complete and accurate procurement documentation and justifications.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

SLA/KPI management

Procurement strategy

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business/Supply Chain/Related fields

Tools

SAP

S2P

Job description

About GenScript

Founded in 2002 in New Jersey, GenScript Biotech Corporation accelerates innovation in biotech and healthcare by providing researchers and companies with the building blocks needed to develop groundbreaking treatments and products. Guided by its mission to Make People and Nature Healthier Through Biotechnology, and its role as a well-recognized biotechnology company, GenScript has a team of approximately 6,165 employees and has served more than 200,000 customers across over 100 countries and regions.

Job Title: Procurement Lead, Direct Materials

Location: Piscataway, NJ (4 Days onsite with remote flexibility on Fridays)

Reports to: Senior Procurement Manager

Compensation: The estimated salary range is $100,000 - $110,000, based on experience.

Job Overview:

The role is responsible for leading the direct procurement team, managing end-to-end sourcing and procurement of direct materials and consumables to support production. Key duties include ensuring daily operations meet SLA and KPI targets, overseeing material planning for critical items, and driving strategic sourcing initiatives. The candidate will manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and identify cost-saving opportunities through category management and market analysis. Close collaboration with cross‑functional teams is essential to ensure supply continuity, compliance with quality and regulatory standards, and readiness for audit requirements.

The ideal candidate is able to thrive in a high‑volume and fast-paced environment, and has managed projects and initiatives from end to end.

Job Responsibilities:

• Supervise the direct procurement team to ensure smooth daily operations and compliance with SLA and KPI targets, and effectively manage team performance.
• Oversee material planning for Green Channel item replenishment to meet inventory KPIs while ensuring continuity of supply.
• Lead strategic sourcing and manage the procurement process for direct materials and consumables used in production, ensuring alignment with cost objectives, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop alternative vendors for critical materials and components to ensure supply continuity and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Conduct category management to identify cost-saving opportunities through vendor consolidation and the use of alternative materials or components.
• Leverage negotiation, analytical, and market research skills to drive value through cost reduction initiatives. Track and report KPIs related to cost savings, cost avoidance, on-time delivery (OTD), and efficiency improvements.
• Execute vendor management by building supplier profiles, conducting regular business reviews, and securing both short- and long-term pricing contracts and Master Supply Agreements (MSAs).
• Serve as the primary point of contact for negotiating and executing contracts and agreements in coordination with the legal team.
• Collaborate closely with production team to provide effective procurement support by understanding production processes, tracking changes in material consumption, and proactively addressing critical issues with urgency.
• Maintain active communication with suppliers of critical materials to stay updated on market conditions, ensure timely deliveries, and identify potential risks and opportunities.
• Work cross-functionally with quality, finance, and other departments to ensure procurement processes remain compliant with company policies and regulatory standards.
• Respond to internal and external audit challenges by providing complete and accurate procurement documentation and justifications.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Supply Chain Management, Biology and Chemistry, or other related fields.
• 3-5 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or planning of direct materials, preferably in the biotech or pharmaceutical industries.
• Demonstrated leadership through previous experience in people management or project management.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skill.
• Good knowledge of materials used in biotech/pharma production, including raw materials, consumables and packing materials.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex situations and demonstrate agility in identifying opportunities for cost reduction and problem-solving.
• Proficiency in ERP systems of SAP and S2P is a plus.

Benefits:

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and company holidays. Additional benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide commuter benefits, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

GenScript USA Inc/ProBio Inc. is a proud equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting, retaining, and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the Company’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

GenScript USA Inc./ProBio Inc. maintains a drug-free workplace.

Please note: Genscript USA Inc./ProBio Inc. will only contact candidates through verified application sources. GenScript/Probio does not request personal information from candidates through individual email or any other platform.