Manager, Strategic Sourcing

IQVIA Laboratories Discovery | EMEA

Join IQVIA on our mission to accelerate innovation for a healthier world

IQVIA is seeking an experienced Manager, Strategic Sourcing to support our Laboratories Early Phase Discovery Services business.

This is a strategic procurement leadership role responsible for driving business value through sourcing excellence, supplier engagement, commercial negotiations, risk mitigation, and supply continuity across critical laboratory and scientific operations.

Working closely with Scientific Operations, Laboratory Leadership, Animal Resources, Quality, Finance and Legal teams, you will lead sourcing initiatives that support the delivery of high-quality discovery services to IQVIA customers globally, with a primary focus on Europe.

What We Offer You

At IQVIA, we invest in our people and provide opportunities to build rewarding careers in a global organisation at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

• Career development opportunities designed to help you grow as we grow

• AI-powered career advancement through our internal talent marketplace, Career Connections

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance and professional success

• Wellbeing programmes supporting your physical, mental and financial health

Awards & Recognition

• Glassdoor Best Place to Work in the UK 2026

• #1 in Category on the 2026 Fortune World's Most Admired Companies List for the fifth consecutive year

• Brandon Hall Excellence Award for Learning & Development

What You'll Be Doing

As Manager, Strategic Sourcing, you will lead procurement and sourcing activities across a diverse range of categories supporting Early Discovery and Preclinical Operations, including animal models, vivarium operations, laboratory consumables, scientific instrumentation, outsourced research services, logistics, and specialised laboratory support services.

Procurement Strategy & Category Management

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies supporting Early Phase Discovery Services on a regional and global basis.

• Drive procurement initiatives aligned to business growth objectives, scientific requirements, quality standards, and regulatory expectations.

• Act as a trusted procurement business partner to key stakeholders across the organisation.

• Support sourcing strategies across laboratory, scientific, and preclinical research categories.

Strategic Sourcing & Project Leadership

• Lead end-to-end sourcing projects from planning through implementation.

• Establish project plans, budgets, milestones, and success metrics.

• Analyse spend data from ERP systems and supplier data sources to identify value creation opportunities.

• Develop category baselines and market intelligence to support sourcing strategies.

• Conduct RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs to benchmark suppliers and validate sourcing opportunities.

• Lead supplier selection, commercial negotiations, and contract execution.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with Scientific Operations, Laboratory Management, Animal Resources and Veterinary Services, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Finance, Facilities, and Operations teams.

• Identify procurement opportunities aligned to business plans, operational needs, and growth initiatives.

• Prepare and present sourcing recommendations, procurement strategies, and business cases to stakeholders.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Manage strategic supplier partnerships supporting Early Discovery and Preclinical Operations.

• Monitor supplier performance including quality, delivery, innovation, cost competitiveness, capacity management, and compliance.

• Lead supplier business reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

• Assess suppliers against operational, regulatory, and animal welfare requirements.

Risk Management & Supply Continuity

• Identify and mitigate risks associated with supplier performance, laboratory supply shortages, logistics disruptions, and animal model availability.

• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for critical categories.

• Monitor market trends impacting laboratory operations, animal research models, preclinical services, and scientific equipment.

Vendor Management Programmes

• Develop procurement plans and change programmes supporting laboratory operations and business objectives.

• Implement vendor management frameworks that improve supplier performance and reduce risk.

• Ensure suppliers meet applicable regulatory, operational, quality, and animal welfare standards.

What We're Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Life Sciences, Biology, Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline.

• Equivalent combinations of education, professional qualifications, and relevant procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or life sciences industry experience will be considered.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in procurement, purchasing, supply chain management, or strategic sourcing.

• Experience supporting laboratory, CRO, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or other regulated environments.

• Proven experience leading complex sourcing projects and supplier negotiations.

• Demonstrated success managing strategic supplier relationships and delivering measurable cost savings and value creation initiatives.

• Experience operating within global supplier management and international sourcing environments.

Preferred Experience

• Animal model sourcing and supplier management.

• Vivarium operations and support services.

• Preclinical research or discovery services procurement.

• Laboratory consumables and scientific services sourcing.

• Scientific equipment procurement and maintenance services.

• Materials management, inventory management, or broader supply chain experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Needed

• Strong understanding of procurement methodologies, sourcing principles, procurement processes, and supplier relationship management.

• Knowledge of preclinical research, laboratory operations, or scientific services procurement.

• Excellent analytical, financial, and spend analysis skills.

• Ability to identify and mitigate supply and financial risks.

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation capabilities.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience developing supplier scorecards and performance metrics.

• Proven leadership capability with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across functions.

• High proficiency in English (C1+); additional languages are advantageous.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Join IQVIA and help shape the future of Early Phase Discovery Services through strategic sourcing excellence, supplier innovation, and operational partnership. Apply today and contribute to accelerating innovation for a healthier world.

Please Note

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. 

IQVIA is a leading global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries. We create intelligent connections to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments to help improve patient outcomes and population health worldwide. Learn more at https://jobs.iqvia.com

IQVIA is committed to integrity in our hiring process and maintains a zero tolerance policy for candidate fraud. All information and credentials submitted in your application must be truthful and complete. Any false statements, misrepresentations, or material omissions during the recruitment process will result in immediate disqualification of your application, or termination of employment if discovered later, in accordance with applicable law. We appreciate your honesty and professionalism.