Head of Direct Procurement

About the Job

The Head of Direct Procurement serves as the strategic leader and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for procurement within the Direct Procurement categories including Raw Materials (Solvents Nutrients Reagents Gases Filtration aids and Resins) Product Filters Manufacturing Services and Laboratory Testing & Services. This role oversees these functions primarily for the Xellia Pharmaceuticals sites in Copenhagen (CPH) and Budapest (BUD).

As the Head of Direct Procurement you will:

- be responsible for Direct Procurement initiatives positioning you as the SME and key business partner for Direct Procurement within the Global Procurement team.
- lead a team of Category Manager and Category Specialist for Direct Procurement coordinating sourcing activities globally across sites. This includes defining and implementing cohesive category strategies and ensuring their successful execution in alignment with business objectives.

The position is to be based in Budapest (Hungary) with responsibilities extending across Xellias global sites. Occasional participation in meetings at other Xellia sites should be expected.

Main Responsibilities:

Secure sustain and drive Xellias development and manufacturing with Direct Materials and materials used in Research and Development
Responsible for supply of direct materials for API products in Xellia
Understand the API direct materials in general as well as categories under responsibility segmented in details i.e. the spend suppliers opportunities risks contracts execute negotiations to improve relationships with suppliers
Contribute to maintain an OTIF in accordance with targets
Act as key escalation channel for issues related to direct materials within area of responsibility
Work closely with internal stakeholders such as Legal Research and Development Regulatory Affairs Global Product Supply Quality Assurance/Quality Control Sales and Marketing globally to ensure proactive timely solution implementation to issues related to supply sustainability
Ability to understand all needs of stakeholders for defined category globally and independently of territory
Develop with your team strategic procurement strategies and priorities in alignment with Xellias global company strategy and directions in collaboration with senior stakeholders including preparation development and execution.
Lead complex negotiations and contracting activities with key Direct Procurement suppliers
Act as a people manager and team lead providing guidance mentorship and performance management to a team of cross-country procurement professionals fostering a high-performance culture aligned with strategic category goals.
Supplier relationship management (Set supplier KPIs performance evaluation dispute resolution supplier visits making/issuing Change Orders delivery expedition)
Enforce Xellias Procurement Policy / Process compliance
Ensure compliance towards GxP and local laws
Contribute in securing that GxP regulations are followed at any time whenever is requested

Strategic Development

Actively lead sourcing and introduction of new materials and new suppliers
Develop direct materials supply strategy and cover all categories under responsibility
Implement and execute proactive contract and relationship management
Contribute in development with relevant procurement activities
Maintain global procurement strategies action plans and procedures
Initiate manage and support local and global cost savings and efficiency projects
Assist in identification of new potential suppliers in all areas of responsibility
Negotiate and implement contracts and contract addendums with partners
Monitor evaluate and improve supplier performance
Understand the spend in details under responsibility
Define initiatives for supply under responsibility which will assure the procurement strategy implementation (e.g. security of quality supply improve total cost of ownership improve supplier relationship program via contracts or separate agreements)

Cash Flow and Savings

Create spend overview
Drive cost savings initiatives within area of responsibility
Initiate manage and support local and global cost saving and efficiency projects
Manage spend and savings data and perform various analyses with proposed initiatives
Strong focus on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Achieve relevant KPIs

What We Expect:

Relevant Master degree
5-10 years of experience in a similar position from the Pharma industry
Experience with business processes oriented to supply chain in the real manufacturing environment (e.g. raw materials management manufacturing quality assurance continuous improvement budgeting)
Experience with managing teams / direct reports
Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to operate on different levels of the organisation
Ability to set direction and build strong relationships and collaborate across boundaries
Ability to independently and proactively manage challenges and identify solutions and have the capability to stay calm and prioritise tasks under pressure
Understanding the purpose for cGMP production and / or pharma industry guidelines
Handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
Customer-oriented and enjoying collaboration with people of diverse cultures
Fluent in English required spoken and written

What We Offer:

Competitive compensation and benefit package
Nordic-style culture dynamic teamwork good working atmosphere flexibility maintaining work-life balance
Opportunity to learn and develop
Good team spirit and friendly colleagues
Stable international company background
Multinational working environment
Home office opportunity

Xellia Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company and a global leader in providing anti-infective treatments and other critical care therapies for serious and often life-threatening conditions. Xellia has an extensive heritage in developing manufacturing and commercializing anti-infective products.

Headquartered in Copenhagen Denmark and owned by Novo Holdings A/S Xellia Pharmaceuticals has more than 1400 employees globally including state-of-the-art manufacturing sites in China Denmark and Hungary. Our strong market position is built on more than 120 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.

Further information about Xellia can be found at:
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