Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with key operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), Canada (Sumitomo Pharma Canada, Inc.) and Europe (Sumitomo Pharma Switzerland GmbH) focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, psychiatry & neurology, and cell & gene therapies. With several marketed products in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage assets, and in-house advanced technology capabilities, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website or follow us on .
Job Overview
As a leader in the Strategic Sourcing function, the Strategic Sourcing Associate Director will manage Category Management activities across a defined set of spend categories, including SaaS, software, cloud platforms, hardware, telecommunications, equipment, IT consulting and services. Working collaboratively with internal Business Stakeholders, the Associate Director is expected to develop sound sourcing strategies, gain endorsement by the Business, and drive the successful execution that will support Business goals and objectives. The Associate Director will negotiate and contract with vendors and the Business Stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the strategic sourcing category strategies and overall business and budget plans.
This Associate Director will continually seek out opportunities to be a proactive advisor to the business. They must maintain deep knowledge and expertise in the dynamics of the supply markets and delivery models of suppliers / agencies and must be comfortable leading analytics efforts to proactively identify sourcing opportunities. They must provide active category leadership and change management support that challenges traditional spending behavior, service level definition, and policy setting to enable productivity and efficiency improvements. The Associate Director, Strategic Sourcing IT/Technology must drive compliance with best-in-class sourcing processes.
This role requires an experienced sourcing leader to drive the delivery of leading sourcing & procurement services to business partners across all operating business units including alignment of business requirements, strategic sourcing expertise, supplier market intelligence, financial productivity, supplier performance and risk mitigation. The Associate Director, Strategic Sourcing IT/Technology must be a change agent. This person must lead by example and their direction must be in sync with the overarching direction and evolution for the Strategic Sourcing organization.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Leads Category Management for specific category areas including the development of sourcing strategies, management of strategic supplier relationship and performance management, in addition to tactical RFx activities.
2. Use applicable e-Sourcing tools to support sourcing activities and analysis.
3. Performs and integrates market research to support Category strategies and/or sourcing activities with the ability to filter data into a relevant, actionable format.
4. Supports the Business Owner with identification of all applicable risks as part of the Sourcing process, including coordination with working with various other departments i.e. Data Privacy and Protection, IT security, etc., to properly assess and develop mitigation plans, where necessary.
5. Manages the entire RFx process including, but not limited to, the development of the requirements, drafting RFP documents, facilitation of team meetings and vendor sessions, negotiation of terms and pricing with the vendors, and ultimately supporting the execution of Supplier Agreements.
6. Participates in annual cost savings targets, in collaboration with Business Partners and Finance, within their specific category and is accountable for successful achievement.
7. Manages complex negotiations on price and terms, that often include other internal stakeholders such as Business Partners and Legal. Able to independently create comprehensive negotiation planners that all internal parties are aligned with upfront.
8. Pursue ongoing development of relevant skills, including learning agility, using data to provide insights, business partnering, change and project management, category management and strategic sourcing to realize optimal results.
Knowledge and Skills (general and technical):
Demonstrates proficiency in the following competencies:
9. Deep understanding of Category Management within specific areas of expertise; able to manage and drive all aspects of Strategic Sourcing including RFx execution, negotiation, contract execution, supplier performance management, and business stakeholder management.
10. Viewed as resource within their category by Business Partners; able to bring new ideas and information that create tangible value to business.
11. True expertise in managing and leading complex supplier negotiations, including development of comprehensive negotiation planners and ensuring alignment with all internal business stakeholders.
12. Strong analytical capabilities (data analysis and benchmarking research); expertise working with data analytical/reporting tools. Able to generate and evaluate necessary data and reports to support their activities.
13. Able to lead teams in collaborative manner to drive successful outcomes. Collaboration extends beyond Business Partners and suppliers to include other functional areas including Legal, Compliance, Finance, among others.
14. Strong communication skills (both written and verbal); able to clearly articulate opinions in concise and persuasive manner. Comfortable speaking in front of groups and/or leading meetings that may include Senior-level Management personnel.
15. Knowledge and understanding of software licensing agreements, and ability to negotiate business terms; seen as a trusted partner from Legal colleagues to provide valuable insight into potential contractual risks across all applicable types of Agreements (i.e. Confidential Disclosure Agreement, Master Services Agreements, Licensing agreements, SOW’s etc.).
16. Knowledge and understanding of working with Value Added Resellers.
17. Ability to work in collaborative, team environment; ability to cultivate and maintain effective business partner relationships through earned respect and trust.
18. Leadership & Learning Agility: demonstrates agility and “out of the box” thinking as applied to leading teams and continuous self-learning. Views change as an opportunity to make significant impacts to the business.
19. Analytics: has an analytical mind and is comfortable generating spend analysis to drive opportunity insights. Can translate insights into action plans.
20. Accountability for Results: Demonstrates a bias for action – translates goals and objectives into actionable plans and results.
21. Fosters Change and Innovation: Seeks solutions that strengthen quality, value, service, and effectiveness. Respectfully challenges the way “things are done” and supports others in doing so.
22. Creates Value for Customers: Anticipates and responds to market trends and opportunities. Identifies sourcing levers and opportunities to drive value for the business.
23. Demonstrates Business Acumen and Business Agility: Understands business models and concepts relevant to the functions supported. Can “speak the language” of the business and maintain credibility and trust with key business stakeholders. Engages in effective operational and strategic planning.
Education and Experience:
24. Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
25. Relevant experience(s): 7-10 years with deep Strategic Sourcing & Procurement experience in IT Categories. sourcing experience preferred. Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Medical or Life Sciences experience a bonus.
Knowledge and skills (general and technical):
Demonstrates proficiency in the following competencies:
26. Leadership & Learning Agility: demonstrates agility and “out of the box” thinking as applied to leading teams and continuous self-learning. Views change as an opportunity to make significant impacts to the business.
27. Analytics: has an analytical mind and is comfortable generating spend analysis to drive opportunity insights. Can translate insights into action plans.
28. Digital Procurement: Has an appreciation for leading digital procurement solutions and the value case & impact they can have on improving our end-to-end Sourcing to Pay S2P value chain.
29. Business Partnering: Demonstrates strong emotional intelligence and consultative approach to foster meaningful relationships with key business leaders and is effective managing stakeholder expectations.
30. Accountability for Results: Demonstrates a bias for action – translates goals and objectives into actionable plans and results.
31. Fosters Change and Innovation: Seeks solutions that strengthen quality, value, service, and effectiveness. Respectfully challenges the way “things are done” and supports others in doing so.
32. Creates Value for Customers: Anticipates and responds to market trends and opportunities. Identifies sourcing levers and opportunities to drive value for the business.
33. Demonstrates Business Acumen and Business Agility: Understands business models and concepts relevant to the functions supported. Can “speak the language” of the business and maintain credibility and trust with key business stakeholders. Engages in effective operational and strategic planning.
Other requirements (licenses, certifications, specialized training, and physical or mental abilities required):
34. CPSM/CPM or other sourcing accreditations a plus.
This is a remote position.
Work hours may include meetings scheduled outside normal working hours. Travel up to 10%.
The base salary range for this role is $145,400 to $181,700. Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state. Our robust time-off policy includes unlimited paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter. Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education, and other factors permitted by law.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
Confidential Data : All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential.
Compliance :Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.
Mental/Physical Requirements : Fast paced environment handling multiple demands. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.
Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action employer
Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.
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