Title:  Mgr, Strategic Sourcing, Sterilization

At West, we’re a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West’s indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun. A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?  

There’s no better place to join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development. Supported by benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.  

We believe in giving back to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. And are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.  

Job Summary:

In this role the job holder will be directly and through teams, being responsible and accountable for developing, implementing and sustaining procurement plans and strategies for the global Category Sterilization and Glass that are directly supportive of global Category Management Procurement business objectives and professional/ethical business practices, within the five tenets of Global Procurement (Sourcing Expertise, Service and Process Focus, Value Leadership, Risk Identification & Mitigation, Supplier Performance Management).  In this capacity, does further transform new market trends, potential sources and future technologies into solutions previously unknown to West.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Lead cross-functional project teams of internal (e.g. QA, R&D, SCM) and external stakeholders and execute related sourcing initiatives to deliver optimal total cost of ownership, consolidate supplier base and drive efficiency through the chosen solutions, together with a multitude of global stakeholders at various hierarchy levels and locations, leveraging scale and scope across the West network. This all by applying the global category management process, consisting of:

1. Identification of opportunities by means of profile and segment categorization, spend analysis, opportunity assessment and stakeholder mapping, finding and implementing strategic sourcing solutions previously unknown to West, or previously known but not actioned.
2. Performing Needs and Situation Analysis by researching market trends and assessing supplier capabilities, while fully understanding and having a deep knowledge of the global landscape of the Category Sterilization and Glass in terms of supplier base, technologies, competitive environment, market trends and cost drivers.
3. Developing sourcing options by assessing the market, supplier and West positioning, determination of the go-to-market strategy, and developing and presenting a business case to West Senior Leadership.
4. Performing strategic sourcing by launching activities for the category strategy and execution of the strategic sourcing project. Creation and execution of detailed project and negotiation plans, project executive summaries and a high-level implementation plan. Negotiation of contracts with suppliers, while fully understanding and negotiating the structure and terms of common contracts and business models in the Category Sterilization and Glass.
5. Implementing and sustaining by execution of the implementation strategy, supplier performance management, continuous improvement and savings documentation. Performing supplier relationship management to ensure continuous improvement and innovation, best in class pricing, product and service quality, continuity of goods and services, and alignment with internal stakeholders and company strategies.

2. Identify and assess risks and benefits of sourcing decisions and clearly present proposals to West Senior Leadership, to mitigate risks collaboratively, ensuring sustained product supply-quality-compliance.
3. Contribute to the annual budget process by providing reliable cost estimates and realistic forecasts.
4. Perform other duties as assigned based on business needs according to skills and education.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in a Business or Technical curriculum, or non-academic Bachelor of Business Administration.
• 6-10 years of progressive business experience in sourcing/supplier/category management or related functions.

• Desirable: Master’s degree in a Business or Technical curriculum, or equivalent.
• 11+ years of progressive business experience in sourcing/supplier/category management or related functions, preferably with chemical industry or pharmaceutical industry background.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Supplier and contract management experience.
• Ability to work with senior leadership teams at manufacturing sites and global headquarters.
• Strong influencing, change management, and negotiation skills.
• Present and advocate sourcing cases to a variety of audiences with self-confidence.
• Ability to respectfully communicate to and challenge senior leadership.
• Openness for new initiatives, fast learner, proactive.
• Ability to lead teams and build effective working relationships both internally and externally.
• Strong presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Results orientation.
• Strong analytical capabilities.
• Self-starter and independent worker.
• Proficiency in English.

Quality and Safety Standards:

• Support and contribute in Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target.
• According to the principles of health and safety at work (substantiated by the Safety Leadership Statement), the job holder is aware of his/her particular responsibility regarding work safety and acts accordingly at all times.

• Able to comply with the company’s quality policy at all times.
  • The job holder is aware of his/her special responsibility for quality according to the company’s quality policy and conducts his/her activities in accordance with the company quality policy at all times.
  • The job holder respects all specifications arising from the cGMP requirements and from the specifications DIN ISO 15378, DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN ISO 50.001 as per its current state and also as it applies to any future amendments. Support and contribute in Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target.
• Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures, instructions, and all safety rules.
• Ensure adequate protection of confidential information and documentation. Restrict access to confidential information. Ensure that key operational and essential documentation files are properly stored.
• Apply highest standards for supplier quality performance striving to enforce West´s zero defect aspiration by means of performance meetings, audits and continuous improvement programs.
• Keep our supplier community accountable for compliance and ethical behavior reflecting West´s “business partner code of conduct”.

#LI-RC1

West embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We foster an environment where all individuals are safe, treated fairly, valued and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Where permitted by law, employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of post-offer background screening and/or drug screening.