Direct Materials Buyer

Summary

The Direct Materials Buyer is responsible for leading end-to-end procurement and category management activities for direct materials used in GMP manufacturing. Operating within a CDMO and regulated pharma environment, this role supports drug development and commercial manufacturing by driving strategic sourcing, supplier lifecycle management, contract execution, and cost optimization while ensuring uninterrupted supply, product quality, and full regulatory compliance. The position executes sourcing initiatives and procurement transactions in accordance with FDA, EMA, ICH, and GxP requirements, maintaining complete, accurate, and audit-ready documentation.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve category strategies for direct materials aligned with manufacturing demand, product lifecycle needs, and GMP regulatory requirements
• Own the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for assigned direct material categories, including sourcing events, supplier selection, qualification, contracting, and purchase execution
• Lead supplier identification, onboarding, qualification, and requalification in partnership with Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing teams
• Conduct commercial negotiations covering pricing, lead times, capacity commitments, quality agreements, contractual terms, and risk mitigation strategies
• Ensure continuity of supply through dual sourcing, capacity planning, safety stock strategies, and proactive risk and contingency management
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, R&D, and Finance to translate material specifications, forecasts, and compliance requirements into effective sourcing strategies
• Perform market intelligence, cost modeling, and benchmarking for pharmaceutical raw materials and packaging to identify cost reduction, value creation, and supply resilience opportunities
• Manage direct material spend, budgets, and cost-saving initiatives, including tracking, validating, and reporting procurement KPIs
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, service, and compliance; address non-conformances, deviations, and supply disruptions, and drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs)
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with GMP, GxP, data integrity standards, and internal quality systems
• Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready procurement records, including material specifications, quality agreements, supplier documentation, contracts, and purchasing data within ERP and procurement systems
• Support regulatory inspections and customer audits by providing procurement- and supplier-related documentation and responses
• Contribute to broader strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier risk management programs, and continuous improvement projects across the direct materials supply chain

Provides guidance and leadership where appropriate. Participates in the expense budget process by developing, tracking, and reporting data related to teams and projects.

Every individual is personally responsible for the safety and environmental aspects of their activities in the workplace. Each employee is expected to perform their job duties in a safe manner utilizing all their knowledge, training, ability, and experience.

Corden Pharma Colorado (CPC) is a manufacturer of a variety of pharmaceutical products. In following Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), Corden Pharma Colorado manufactures in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), International Council for Harmonisation Q7 (ICH), and other global regulations as applicable. This is critical as it is our mission to not place patients at risk due to inadequate safety, quality, or efficacy.

CPC’s Quality Management System, which incorporates cGMP, is designed to deliver this quality objective. Attainment is produced through the requisite participation and commitment of all staff across departments and at all levels within the company.

cGMP is the part of Quality Management System ensuring products are consistently produced to…