Bangalore Section Head Global Procurement & External Manufacturing Global Procurement Strategic Sourcing KA

Company Overview

Role Purpose

This Role will be responsible for driving strategic sourcing, supplier partnerships, and external manufacturing networks to ensure cost efficiency, quality, and uninterrupted supply across global markets. The incumbent will play a critical role in aligning procurement and manufacturing strategies with business growth, regulatory requirements, and operational excellence within the Pharma/Lifesciences domain.

Academic Stream

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Pharmacy / Life SciencesMBA (preferred) from a reputed institute

Work experience (in months)

Preferred Experience

20+ years of experience with significant exposure to Pharma / Biologics / Lifesciences industryProven experience in managing global procurement and external manufacturing operationsExperience working in complex, multi-geography environmentsExposure to biosimilars, APIs, or complex generics will be an added advantage

Job Responsibility and key Decisions

Key Responsibilities

Global Procurement Strategy

Define and execute global procurement strategy aligned with business and supply chain objectivesDrive strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier consolidation initiativesLead negotiations for high-value contracts ensuring cost optimization and risk mitigationEstablish long-term supplier partnerships and drive value creation across the supply baseMonitor market trends, pricing dynamics, and supply risks across geographies

External Manufacturing (CMO/CDMO) Leadership

Lead and manage global external manufacturing network including CMOs/CDMOsDrive capacity planning, production allocation, and supply continuity strategiesEnsure adherence to quality, regulatory, and compliance standards across partner sitesOversee technology transfers, scale-ups, and commercialization activitiesDrive performance management of external partners through KPIs, SLAs, and governance models

Supplier & Partner Management

Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers and manufacturing partnersConduct supplier evaluations, audits, and risk assessmentsDrive supplier performance improvement and continuous value deliveryManage contract lifecycle and ensure compliance with agreed commercial terms

Operational Excellence & Cost Leadership

Lead cost optimization initiatives including should-costing, value engineering, and productivity improvementsDrive lean practices and continuous improvement across procurement and external manufacturing operationsLeverage digital tools, analytics, and automation to enhance efficiency and decision-making

Risk Management & Compliance

Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including geopolitical, regulatory, and operational risksEnsure compliance with global regulatory standards (FDA, EMA, etc.) and internal policiesDevelop contingency plans to ensure business continuity

Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Finance teams to align strategiesAct as a key advisor to leadership on procurement and external manufacturing decisionsSupport M&A activities, integration, and new market expansion initiatives

Key Skills & Competencies

Deep expertise in global procurement, sourcing, and supplier managementStrong experience in external manufacturing (CMO/CDMO operations) within PharmaProven track record in cost optimization and large-scale negotiationsStrong understanding of regulatory and quality requirements in Pharma/LifesciencesExcellent stakeholder management and influencing skillsStrategic mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilitiesExperience in digital procurement tools, analytics, and transformation initiatives