Senior Supplier Relationship Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

This role is acting as the ‘custodian of value’ for the allocated externally supplied finished dosage forms portfolio, driving supplier strategy, managing contracts and costs and strengthening relationships to improve performance and deliver in line with Zentiva’s business plan.

This role proactively oversees a portfolio of specific suppliers and products, supporting transversal topics related to supplier management and contracting. It is responsible for supplier performance, associated contracting and procurement activities with defined objectives to add value and minimize supply risk.

The role acts internally as a leader across functions and as the first point of escalation outside of the respective function for issues that cannot be addressed within a given functional team, coordinating and ensuring timely resolution of escalated issues.

In addition the role supports value and activity tracking to help prioritize focus, give transparency and support company goals.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DUTIES

• Build rapport and mutually beneficial partnerships with allocated supplier base, manage contracts and deliver joint value improvements:
  • Provide dedicated supplier management and cost ownership for related product portfolio, leading performance reviews and identifying opportunities and risks for top tier suppliers to drive performance and reliable, high quality, cost-efficient supply
  • Manage contract creation and amendments, maintaining accurate pricing, payment, and reconciliation data for allocated portfolio to support ESO team and wider Zentiva
  • Set supplier performance goals and structure value creation plan including managing execution of cost improvements and pipeline opportunities, tracking and reporting and bringing clarity to improvement delivery versus targets including:
    • Periodically review spend, cost improvement and fit of terms with business need, tracking and reporting progress versus targets (pricing, cost structures, NWC and MoQs for existing, new launch/new sourcing opportunities and technical development projects)
    • Prepare and drive pricing & contract negotiations to achieve targets, keep internal system/s up-to-date in line with outcomes of negotiations
    • Identify technical project opportunities (cost improvement) with suppliers and validate with tech projects experts, and negotiate any cost impacts
  • Lead virtual cross-functional teams, providing guidance and support to prepare for supplier discussions, increase awareness of supplier opportunities and risks and support the virtual team to resolve escalations that can occur from complex service/ regulatory/ quality/ technical issues, challenges or interruptions,  securing product availability and business continuity
  • Prepare and lead Business Review Meetings with suppliers in a standardized format, covering all areas of collaboration and involving internal teams as needed
  • Lead strategic management for allocated portfolio including supplier categorization, segmentation and consolidation, developing preferred partners who can support Zentiva’s growth plans or exit plans for those who cannot
  • Support ESO Supplier Scorecard process, incl. proactive sharing of results with allocated suppliers, identify areas of deficiencies and align steps for continuous improvement of supplier performance in all areas of collaboration
  • Work collaboratively with the Product Strategy and Business Development teams to support sourcing and instigate supplier risk management approaches including performing RFI, RFP, RFQ and contract management and proposal analysis
  • Support budgeting cycle and COG standard setting, lead adhoc cross functional projects and business cases linked to allocated portfolio

• Support the ESO team and wider Zentiva business to identify and address opportunities and risks outside of immediate area of control
• Communicate and align business objectives, collaborating with critical stakeholders (Supply chain, CommOps, Launch management, Sourcing & Manufacturing Strategy, Quality, Regulatory, IP, Finance, Development, etc.) to plan and to consolidate business needs
• The employee will perform other tasks under the direction of the Manager within the agreed type of work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Bachelor Degree/Masters in Business/Science/Engineering field of study
• 7+ years’ experience working in a supplier facing role (Procurement, Supplier Relationship Management or in the fields of supply chain, quality, regulatory or R&D) in the pharmaceutical sector
• Strong network within the pharmaceutical industry will be considered an advantage
• Familiar with GMP manufacturing requirements
• Solid understanding of financial drivers and processes of pharma manufacturing with exposure to Supply Chain concepts and practices
• Proven negotiation skills in Drug Product Contract Manufacturing, API, Contract Testing areas
• Experience in risk management processes
• Ability to negotiate and manage contracts
• Strong project leadership and Relationship building skills
• Detail-oriented, proactive, well organized and able to work under pressure
• English: Fluent, Other languages are an advantage

Our Recruitment Process: 

To be considered for this role, please apply in our Applicant tracking system and refrain from sending your CV via email. Upon the completion of sourcing (CV collection) period, all received application will be reviewed by our Recruitment experts and evaluated against the needs of the open role. Successful candidates will be contacted by our Recruiting experts for an initial screening interview during which further details about the selection process will be shared. Successful candidates will progress to interviews with line managers, while not selected candidates will be informed in a written form as soon as possible. 
 
Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is an act @Zentiva  
 
At Zentiva, we are a team of 5000 unique talents bonded together by our purpose to provide health and well-being for all generations. We strive daily to create a work culture where everyone feels appreciated, can be their true selves, and contribute to the best of their ability. Seeking for a balanced team across the company, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates with various educational and industry experiences, cultural or ethnical backgrounds, and different life experiences or abilities, regardless of their religious or philosophical beliefs or whomever they choose to love. 

Join our winning team! Be a part of our winning culture! Be Zentiva! 

Minimum Gross Annual Salary in Italy: 70,000 EUR