Strategic Procurement Manager

Lead Candidate Ltd; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Lead Candidate Ltd in Atlanta-based pharmaceutical CMO is seeking a Senior Procurement Leader to build and run a strategic procurement function, driving cost reductions and ensuring supply continuity.

The role leads the Purchasing team, negotiates contracts, develops supplier relationships, and aligns procurement strategy with business goals to support development, manufacturing and commercialization.

Qualifications

• Senior procurement professional with strategic and hands-on expertise.
• Proven ability to develop and execute procurement strategies.
• Strong leadership and negotiation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Purchasing team and define procurement priorities.
• Develop long-term procurement strategies aligned with business goals.
• Lead vendor management, cost reduction initiatives, and contract negotiations.
• Ensure supply continuity and compliance across sourcing activities.

Skills

Strategic thinker

People leadership

Negotiation skills

Cost optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Accountability

Job description

Are you an experienced procurement professional looking for a new challenge?

Looking to take everything you’ve learned and create and implement processes, drive cost reductions, and build a strategic procurement function from scratch? This could be the opportunity for you.

Who?

A well-established pharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization supporting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across development, manufacturing and commercialization.

Specializing in oral solid and liquid dosage forms, formulation and product development, commercial manufacturing and related technical services, you'll join them at a pivotal time in their journey.

What?

The Senior Procurement Leader leads the company’s purchasing and strategic procurement activities to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and compliant acquisition of materials, supplies, equipment, and services. This role develops and executes procurement strategies that support business objectives, optimize supplier performance, reduce costs, mitigate supply chain risk, and ensure supply continuity.

Some main parts of the role include:

• Provide leadership and direction to the Purchasing team, including Buyers
• Developing team capabilities through establishing performance expectations, and ensuring purchasing activities are executed effectively and efficiently.
• Lead vendor management, strategic procurement, cost reduction, contract negotiations, supplier development, and purchasing operations.

You

A seasoned procurement professional, you’ll have significant experience across strategic and hands‑on procurement.

You also be:

• Strategic Thinker: Develops long‑term procurement strategies while effectively managing immediate operational requirements.
• Strong People Leader: Effectively leads, coaches, develops, and holds Buyers accountable for performance and results.
• Strong Negotiator: Demonstrated ability to negotiate pricing, contracts, terms, and supplier agreements.
• Cost‑Conscious: Consistently identifies and delivers opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining quality and supply continuity.
• Collaborative: Builds strong relationships across departments and works effectively with employees at all levels.
• Accountable: Takes ownership of purchasing results, team performance, supplier relationships, and procurement outcomes.

Overall, this is a genuine opportunity to create and implement processes, and to build your own procurement function.

Don’t meet all the requirements? Don’t sweat! We’re always looking for an excuse to discuss your next opportunity. You might just surprise yourself…

Lead Candidate wholeheartedly supports Equality and Diversity in employment and opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.