Associate Director, Procurement
LOTTE BIOLOGICS USA, LLC · Syracuse, New York, United States
We are LOTTE BIOLOGICS! Delivering Therapies That Enable a Healthier World.
A new company, built on 80 years of tradition. We embody our core values of being Inspired by Science, Embracing Diversity, Fostering Talent, and Connecting Lives. Our mission is to be the most trusted partner in the industry, with high standards of quality and continuous innovation, to reliably deliver benefits for patients worldwide.
Position Summary
The Associate Director, Procurement is responsible for leading strategic sourcing, supplier management, procurement operations, and contract negotiations in support of LOTTE Biologics' business objectives. This role develops sourcing strategies that drive cost efficiency, supply continuity, quality, and risk mitigation while supporting a dynamic cGMP manufacturing environment.
The Associate Director serves as a key partner to Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Facilities, Finance, Legal, and Project Management teams to ensure reliable procurement of direct materials, indirect goods, capital equipment, and services. This position leads a team of procurement professionals, fosters strong supplier relationships, and drives continuous improvement initiatives that support operational excellence and organizational growth.
Duties & Responsibilities
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Develop and execute procurement and sourcing strategies that optimize quality, service, cost, supply continuity, and supplier performance while supporting business objectives and long-term organizational growth.
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Develop, qualify, and manage strategic supplier relationships to ensure supply continuity, quality, service, innovation, and cost competitiveness
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Partner with Supply Chain and operational stakeholders to implement inventory optimization and supply continuity strategies.
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Oversee procurement operations supporting direct materials, indirect goods, purchased services, and capital expenditures, ensuring alignment with business priorities, compliance requirements, and operational objectives.
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Lead strategic sourcing and supplier selection activities, including competitive bidding, commercial analysis, supplier evaluations, and recommendation development.
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Lead negotiations for contracts, pricing, commercial terms, and delivery schedules to achieve favorable business outcomes.
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Partner with Legal to ensure supplier agreements appropriately mitigate risk and protect the interests of LOTTE Biologics.
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Develop and maintain supplier performance metrics, scorecards, and supplier business review processes to drive accountability, continuous improvement, and long-term supplier performance.
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Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, performance management, and risk mitigation activities in partnership with Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and other key stakeholders.
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Identify and mitigate supply chain risks by developing contingency plans, maintaining qualified alternate suppliers, and supporting business continuity initiatives.
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Evaluate supplier capabilities, capacity, quality performance, and financial stability to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
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Drive procurement process improvements, standardization initiatives, and data-driven decision-making through spend analysis, market intelligence, and operational performance assessments.
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Represent Procurement as a strategic business partner on cross-functional initiatives, capital projects, site expansion activities, technology transfers, and organizational growth initiatives.
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Utilize procurement systems and analytics tools to monitor spend, supplier performance, key performance indicators (KPIs), and procurement effectiveness.
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Ensure procurement activities are conducted in compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
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Support client programs, technology transfers, and commercialization activities through effective procurement planning, supplier engagement, and material readiness strategies.
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Manage procurement spend within assigned categories and support development of annual savings targets, budget planning, and cost management initiatives.
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Establish departmental goals, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensure alignment of procurement priorities with organizational objectives.
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Develop, mentor, and manage a team of procurement professionals to support organizational and departmental objectives.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field required.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or materials management experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, aerospace, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
- Minimum of 2 years of formal people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management, and employee development.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives and supplier relationship management programs.
- Experience leading supplier negotiations, contract development, and commercial agreement management.
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Experience supporting direct materials, indirect procurement, capital projects, and outsourced service requirements.
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Experience working within a cGMP-regulated manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
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Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, APICS, or equivalent are preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
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Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, procurement operations, supplier relationship management, inventory management, and supply chain principles.
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Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements and achieve favorable business outcomes.
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Strong understanding of contract management, supplier performance management, and procurement compliance practices.
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Ability to analyze spend data, identify cost-saving opportunities, and develop sourcing strategies that support organizational objectives.
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Experience utilizing ERP, MRP, and procurement systems to manage purchasing activities, supplier performance, and reporting.
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Strong financial and business acumen with the ability to evaluate total cost of ownership and supplier value propositions.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, project-management and decision-making skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with demonstrated success developing and mentoring team members.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Power BI, and procurement reporting tools.
Physical Demands
- Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer while reviewing contracts, analyzing data, preparing reports, and participating in meetings.
- Frequent use of standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, printers, and audiovisual equipment.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual collaboration platforms.
- Occasionally required to walk through manufacturing, warehouse, laboratory, and operational areas to support supplier activities, project initiatives, audits, investigations, or cross-functional meetings.
- Ability to move between office and operational areas throughout the facility.
- May occasionally lift and/or move materials weighing up to 15 pounds.
- Ability to travel domestically on an occasional basis to support supplier meetings, audits, business reviews, conferences, or company initiatives.
Work Environment
- Primary work environment is an office setting within a cGMP-regulated pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing facility.
- Regular interaction with cross-functional teams including Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, L