Associate Director of Procurement, Manufacturing

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease. A Japan-based company, our goal is to make people smile by delivering breakthroughs where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, Massachusetts, and Ontario.

The Associate Director of Procurement, Manufacturing will serve as a strategic business partner to the Manufacturing function. In this pivotal role, you will drive strategic initiatives across the organization, including but not limited to large-scale construction procurement, oversight of major equipment acquisitions (e.g., bioreactors), sourcing of third-party logistics providers, contract manufacturing and packaging, professional services, and contract lab testing to maximize value for the organization. You will lead all Procurement activities for BioBloom including the establishment of processes, procedures, systems and workflows. You will ensure KKNC is maximizing its spend across all procurement activities. You will ensure compliance of Procurement activities.

You will lead high-level negotiations, build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, and integrate modern technologies and best practices to enhance procurement operations. In a fast-paced and evolving market landscape, you will need to be a dynamic leader who can foster collaboration and consensus across multidisciplinary teams while continuously adapting procurement strategies to meet business needs. You will also play a critical role in supporting the build-out and management of direct material vendors.

As a people leader, you will embody compassionate, people-centric leadership to guide and support our team. You will collaborate closely with others, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment while driving team development. Your work will reflect the organization's values and integrity in all your actions. Utilizing situational leadership and emotional intelligence, you will align diverse viewpoints, manage stakeholders, and make empathetic decisions to address individual and team needs effectively. You will also be results-oriented, ensuring that your team not only adapts to challenges but also delivers measurable outcomes that align with business objectives. Additionally, you will help teams navigate through change and uncertainty with resilience and clarity, enabling them to adapt to fast-evolving, rapidly scaling environments and meet new challenges in the biotech industry with a patient-focused mindset.

Direct Line: North America Regional Procurement Head
Dotted Line: VP Operations and Site Lead

Strategy Development:
* Develop and implement category strategies that drive value, optimize costs, and ensure high-quality products and services for manufacturing operations.

Vendor Management:
* Provide oversight into the RFx process, vendor selection, negotiation of best pricing, key business terms, and contracts.
* Standardize templates for RFx events based on the type of service, phase of the project, and other relevant criteria specific to manufacturing operations.
* Measure and manage vendor performance to ensure quality, delivery, and cost-effectiveness.
* Identify and develop relationships with suppliers that can deliver innovative solutions to meet business needs.
* Effectively manage supplier relationships and facilitate business review meetings to ensure that suppliers deliver value to the organization.

Innovation and Process Improvement:
* Introduce process enhancements and innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency and cost savings.
* Incorporate cutting-edge technologies to streamline procurement operations.

Leadership and Team Management:
* Results-Oriented: Lead teams by setting clear, measurable goals and ensuring accountability for achieving key objectives. Align resources effectively, remove obstacles, and maintain focus on delivering high-quality results within set timelines.
* Empathetic Communication: Listen carefully, give helpful feedback, and handle conflicts with care.
* Team Development: Mentor and guide team members, create growth plans, support ongoing learning, and develop the team with a patient-focused mindset.
* Inclusive Leadership: Build a diverse, respectful environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
* Supportive Environment: Encourage a positive workplace, celebrate achievements, and promote work-life balance.
* Collaboration: Lead by example, promote teamwork and respect, and ensure your actions reflect the organization's values.
* Emotional Intelligence: Manage emotions thoughtfully, make empathetic decisions with a patient-focused mindset, and stay calm under pressure.
* Change Management: Help teams navigate change with clear communication and flexibility.
* Situational Leadership: Adapt your leadership style to meet the needs of the team, offering guidance or independence as needed, while keeping patient outcomes in mind.
* Stakeholder Management and Alignment Building: Work with different people to build alignment, guide discussions toward common goals, and ensure decisions are aligned with a patient-focused mindset. Work with internal stakeholders to develop and execute procurement plans that meet the needs of manufacturing operations.

Compliance, Best Practices, and Cultural Integration:
* Stay up to date on industry trends, regulatory requirements, and best practices in manufacturing operations.
* Uphold compliance with internal policies, regulatory standards, and ethical practices.
* Integrate Western and Japanese cultural sensitivities into procurement activities.
* Champion sustainability and diversity within the procurement process.

Initially an individual contributor, with procurement specialists expected to be added as direct reports in the future.

Education:
Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution required. A master's degree in a relevant field is a plus.

Experience:
* 8+ years of experience in procurement or a related role with a strong background in supply chain management and manufacturing operations, including construction management.
* Demonstrated experience in supporting capital projects and internal plant-based functions such as warehouse, engineering, laboratories, and other relevant plant-based functions.
* Experience in managing procurement and cross-functional project teams.
* Experience in a multinational organization.
* Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and work collaboratively with internal stakeholders and vendors.
* Experience with starting up and operating a biopharma manufacturing facility is a plus.

Certifications:
One of the following related to procurement and supply chain is strongly preferred:
* Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM): Offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) or
* Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP): Administered by APICS or
* Certified Professional in Supply Management and Procurement (CPSMP): Offered by the American Purchasing Society (APS) or
* Certified Professional in Procurement and Supply (MCIPS): Provided by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) and
* Lean Six Sigma Certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) from a recognized authority.

Technical Skills:
Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel and PowerPoint). Strong experience with MD365, Workday Strategic Sourcing, SpendHQ, and Beroe AI would be advantageous and considered a plus, though not mandatory for this role.

Non-Technical Skills:
Results-oriented and able to navigate ambiguity, you set clear outcomes, track progress, follow through on commitments, and ensure your actions lead to measurable results that advance organizational objectives. Respond promptly, take accountability, and manage tasks efficiently. Adapt to change with clarity, patience, and understanding, guiding teams through evolving challenges. Exhibit strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid work ethic while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and the ability to foster alignment in a global environment. Communicate with care by actively listening and considering others' perspectives, fostering productive, engaging interactions, and managing relationships with kindness. Embrace personal growth through continuous learning and knowledge sharing, maintaining a growth mindset. Promote inclusive collaboration by respecting diverse perspectives and creating a welcoming work environment. Contribute positively by recognizing achievements and encouraging a healthy work-life balance. Collaborate with respect, integrity, and humility, prioritizing collective success over individual gain. Resourceful and proactive, challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and develop creative solutions. Apply an enterprise-wide, holistic mindset, working beyond siloed thinking to deliver cohesive, integrated solutions.

Initially working on a construction site and ultimately in a biotech manufacturing site in Sanford, NC.

Work is 100% on-site. This is not a hybrid or remote role.

Requires up to 10% domestic and international travel.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

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