External Supply Lead, Clinical Manufacture & Supply

About the role

AstraZenecas Pharmaceutical Technology & Development (PT&D) turns scientific concepts into medicines that help millions of patients. Within PT&D our Clinical Manufacture & Supply (CM&S) organization provides an agile end-to-end clinical supply chainmanufacturing outsourcing and delivering supplies to hundreds of thousands of patients globally.

We are seeking an External Supply Lead to join our External Commercial Products team within the Oncology Therapy this role you will source commercially available medicinal products and related services to support AstraZeneca-sponsored clinical trials. You will build and manage strategic supplier relationships design robust sourcing strategies and ensure GDP/GMP-compliant audit-ready supply chains that meet study timelines quality and cost targets. Youll partner closely with Clinical Manufacturing & Supply (CM&S) Quality Procurement Clinical Operations and Business Development stakeholders to deliver right-first-time supply.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing and Supply Design: Develop and execute sourcing strategies for commercially available products used in clinical trials aligning to protocol needs global market availability shelf-life and regulatory requirements. Leverage direct-from-manufacturer and qualified wholesale routes to ensure supply resilience and full traceability.

• Supplier Management and Negotiation: Identify evaluate qualify and manage third-party suppliers. Negotiate pricing lead times and documentation packages to optimize total value while meeting trial requirements. Drive supplier performance through regular business and quality reviews.

• Compliance and Quality: Ensure sourcing and logistics are GDP/GMP compliant and audit-ready. Partner with Quality Assurance on supplier qualification Technical/Quality Agreements temperature-control requirements serialization/traceability and counterfeit-risk mitigation.

• Project and Stakeholder Leadership: Serve as the sourcing point of contact for assigned products. Anticipate risk manage change and maintain clear communication of milestones and dependencies to meet start-up and supply timelines.

• Market Intelligence and RFP/RFQ: Conduct structured market research across geographies to identify optimal sourcing routes. Lead or support RFIs/RFQs evaluate proposals and recommend routes based on availability compliance cost sustainability and delivery risk.

• Quotation and Handover: Develop accurate executable price scenarios and sourcing plans with verified product details. Maintain document retention per SOPs.

• Financial Delivery: Contribute to revenue/margin targets for externally sourced commercial products within CM&S. Maintain accurate pipeline and forecast inputs (close dates probabilities lead times) and provide sourcing data for management reporting.

• Continuous Improvement and Digital: Champion Lean and continuous improvement in sourcing processes documentation and supplier management. Use AZ systems (e.g. SAP) and digital tools to govern master data track orders and enhance visibility.

• External Engagement: Represent AstraZeneca in supplier meetings audits (as required) and industry forums. Support development of value propositions and materials that communicate AZs comparator sourcing capabilities to internal stakeholders.

Essential qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in a relevant discipline (Life Sciences Supply Chain Pharmacy Business or related field).

• Minimum 5 years of experience in clinical trial supply pharmaceutical procurement or comparator sourcing including third party and supplier relationship management.

• Demonstrated project management and change management skills with ability to balance multiple competing priorities and deliver to timelines.

• Appropriate technical depth in Clinical Trial Supply to evaluate risks (availability shelf-life stability labelling documentation) and make evidence-based decisions with technical/quality experts.

• Strong understanding of quality principles and cGMP/GDP including documentation and audit readiness.

• Proven negotiating and problem-solving skills; strong influencing and communication skills with cross-functional multicultural teams.

• Digital aptitude; ability to work within multiple systems; SAP experience preferred.

• Commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing practices; experience with master data governance.

Desirable qualifications

• Masters Degree in a relevant discipline (Life Sciences Supply Chain Pharmacy Business or related field).

• Prior experience in pharmaceutical sponsor CDMO/CRO or specialty distributor environment.

• Familiarity with RFI/RFQ processes cost modelling and comparator market dynamics.

• Lean/continuous improvement expertise and business process management experience.

Working at AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering developing and commercializing prescription medicines for some of the worlds most serious diseases. Were committed to being a Great Place to Workempowering people to push the boundaries of science in an inclusive culture that champions diversity collaboration and continuous learning.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $125056.80 - $187585.20 USD Annual (80% - 120%). Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors including market location job-related knowledge skills and addition our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles) to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles) and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program 401(k) plan; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and health benefits including medical prescription drug dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired employee will be in an at-will position and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time including for reasons related to individual performance Company or individual department/team performance and market factors.

Whats next

If youre energized by building compliant resilient value-driven comparator supply chains that help deliver medicines to patients faster wed like to hear from you. Prepare to travel for supplier engagement and industry events as needed. Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.

#LI-Hybrid