Walker Cole International
External Supply Operations Manager
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External Supply Operations Manager
Strategic Procurement Manager
Global Pharmaceutical Organisation
We are partnering exclusively with a leading global pharmaceutical organisation to identify a high-calibre Strategic Procurement Manager.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned procurement professional to take ownership of complex supplier relationships within a dynamic and fast-paced pharmaceutical environment.
About the Role
The successful candidate will operate at the intersection of commercial strategy, supply chain excellence, and cross-functional collaboration, playing a pivotal role in ensuring:
- Portfolio competitiveness
- Supply continuity
- Long-term supplier partnership development
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Supplier Relationships & Commercial Strategy
- Take full ownership of strategic supplier relationships, independently managing and growing partnerships with external partners
- Lead the definition and execution of business strategy for the managed portfolio, working closely with internal stakeholders across the organisation
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Drive active collaboration with:
- Business Development & Licensing
- Transfer
- Launch teams
- Maximize commercial leverage and growth potential
Budget & Project Oversight
- Develop and manage budget estimations
- Ensure a strong, well-governed pipeline of projects and initiatives across the portfolio
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Negotiations & Market Intelligence
- Lead independent commercial negotiations to secure competitive terms
- Provide strategic support to the Tender team to strengthen market competitiveness
- Monitor market developments and maintain engagement with market representatives to anticipate requirements and ensure supply availability
Performance & Risk Management
- Oversee supplier performance through defined KPIs
- Implement structured recovery plans to drive accountability and targets
- Ensure proactive internal stakeholder management across:
- Affiliate-level requirements
- Supply Chain
- Operational Purchasing
Contract & Product Lifecycle Management
- Maintain rigorous oversight of product lifecycle stages, including:
- Volume planning
- Inventory management
- End-of-life strategy
- Lead contract management post-signature in collaboration with the internal Contract Management team
- Conduct strategic supplier business review meetings, delivering clear messaging and ensuring execution of agreed initiatives
Risk & Continuous Improvement
- Proactively identify and manage commercial and supply risks, implementing mitigation strategies
- Lead and contribute to internal optimisation projects for continuous improvement in procurement operations
Requirements & Qualifications
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Education
A degree in natural sciences, business administration, or a comparable discipline
Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in strategic procurement, ideally within:
- Pharmaceutical
- Chemical
- Food industries
- Demonstrated ability to operate in complex, globally distributed supply networks
- Experience in managing multi-faceted portfolios
Leadership & Commercial Skills
- Strong track record of leading and developing business relationships with external suppliers at senior level
- High commercial acumen with independence in negotiating competitive contractual terms
- Solid understanding of:
- Market dynamics
- Supply execution
- Product lifecycle management:
- From deal signature through launch
- Post-launch optimisation
Analytical & Project Management
- Strong analytical capability with a structured, data-driven approach
- Proven ability to:
- Lead and influence cross-functional teams
- Drive alignment around shared commercial goals
- Navigate complexity and competing priorities
- Excellent project management skills
Mindset & Languages
- Solutions-focused mindset with the ability to thrive in high-pressure, fast-moving environments
- Fluency in English is essential
- Additional European languages are advantageous
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