Associate Director, R&D Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Relationship Management

** The R&D Strategic Sourcing Associate Director,
** Supplier Relationship Management is a pivotal role responsible for ensuring compliance with procurement policies and processes governing Otsuka’s supplier management practices. This individual will collaborate closely with internal and external partners within the R&D ecosystem, including Strategic Sourcing Category Leads, Business partners, and suppliers, to ensure supplier compliance, procurement policy adherence, and drive Strategic Supplier Relationship Management across selected preferred suppliers.

This role will drive metrics reporting, facilitate business reviews, and in partnership with R&D business leads enhance supplier performance. The position enforces all policies, processes, and systems related to R&D Strategic Sourcing in OAPI/OPDC/OPH
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* Key Responsibilities:

** Strategic Supplier Relationship Management:

Support the overall relationship and lead the assessment of supplier relationship health across all R&D functions (Clinical, Pre-Clinical and Discovery Research) for selected preferred suppliers.

Lead strategic executive level governance for selected preferred and strategic suppliers while partnering closely with business partners for operational governance

Develop governance framework with input and alignment with the R&D business partners.

Facilitate, plan and execute relationship level supplier governance meetings to ensure relationship alignment and performance.

Act as the commercial main point of contact for suppliers and manage commercial escalations at the relationship level.

Where applicable and in close partnership with the R&D Strategic Sourcing team and other internal constituents; set performance and relationship targets, monitor progress, and implement corrective actions as necessary. Ensure contractual and organizational expectations are met.

Establish supplier relationship goals in alignment with Otsuka’s goals and corporate objectives.

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive initiatives and build strong partnerships.

Lead the segmentation of new and current suppliers on a regular basis.

Provide regular performance and relationship reports and analyses to senior management, highlighting key metrics and insights.

Health Authority Inspection Readiness In collaboration with GXP Quality, R&D and Tech Ops Business partners, lead the strategic sourcing support for supplier selection, qualification and supplier contract lifecycle for regulatory inspections. This includes:

Ensure appropriate contractual obligations are readied for review by inspectors.

Ensure the development of storyboards by company are in place and ready for inspections.

Participate on inspection teams as requested
** Other:
** Process Improvement:
In collaboration with internal partners and suppliers, identify and implement sourcing and supplier process improvement initiatives.
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* Risk Management:

** Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to safeguard departmental and organizational objectives Mergers & Acquisitions:
Support any mergers and acquisitions that are identified as the R&D lead and/or Strategic Sourcing lead. Other projects as assigned.
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* Qualifications:

** Bachelor’s degree in a related field;
Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in R&D sourcing or formal supplier management roles within the pharmaceutical industry, supporting R&D functions.

Apply supplier management principles, practices, and procedures to complete supplier assessments.

Communicate and influence effectively, with the ability to motivate and influence others inside and outside of own organizational hierarchy.

Network and communicate effectively with current and potential R&D suppliers, building and developing effective supplier relationships.

Communicate with R&D stakeholders and external suppliers to understand requirements and expectations and to promote program adherence.

Prioritize, organize, and multitask in a fast-paced and challenging environment.

Work independently and under pressure, meet deadlines, adapt to varying circumstances, and use sound judgment in the performance of duties.

Deal with change and ambiguity…