Strategic Direct Materials Procurement Lead (Hybrid)

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

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.