Senior Director Strategic Sourcing to Order Process Excellence

Job Description

General Summary:

As a key Team Manager and leader in the Strategic Sourcing function, the Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing to Order Process Excellence leader is responsible for enabling the strategic sourcing organizational value delivery through relevant, effective, and optimized end to end processes, systems and capabilities.  The role is also responsible for enabling and generating data, insights and analytics to drive decision-making across the strategic sourcing and broader CAO organization and for the business.

This role will work cross-functionally across the strategic sourcing and broader CAO organization to develop and embed approaches and tools for strategic category strategy development, enablement and ongoing category management, sourcing plan execution, and end to end operationalization through P2P.  The role will own, lead, and drive development and adoption of tools, including planning the digital strategy roadmap for strategic sourcing and enable successful outcomes for the business in collaboration and alignment with the strategic sourcing and P2P teams.

As a senior member of the Strategic Sourcing group, this leadership role will be expected to provide strategic input in the future direction of the function. They will possess a high-level of subject matter expertise, in sourcing as well as in tools and processes to support the end-to-end strategy to pay process.  Working collaboratively with internal Business Stakeholders, the leader is expected to ensure their teams’ activities are aligned with Business priorities and objectives.  This role will communicate with senior leaders and be viewed as a trusted business advisor for strategic sourcing. The role will effectively articulate the vision and strategy for the Strategic Sourcing function and value to the business. 

In addition, the leader is expected to support and potentially lead large process improvement initiatives that will drive significant value to Vertex. This incumbent will be expected to define annual team goals, including value beyond savings as well as cost savings targets in collaboration with the strategic sourcing teams and enable the delivery. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of global strategic sourcing and procurement to order processes (in partnership with the P2P team) to enhance the value of the strategic sourcing and P2P organizations, for end-to-end strategy to pay process visibility and streamlining, and a global lens across the processes.
• Enable cross functional sourcing teams responsible for developing and evolving robust multi-year category strategies and sourcing plans that are pulled through in the end-to-end procurement process through streamlined buying channels, management of strategic supplier relationship and performance management, in addition to tactical RFx activities.
• Lead through example to position the strategic sourcing organization to be a more strategic partner to the business and bring an enterprise category lens to maximize both business and category value for the company. 
• Owns overall capability for team development and skill building focusing on “soft” skills (effective business partnering, influence, enterprise thinking, communication, active listening, executive presence), business skills, and “hard” sourcing skills.
• Obtain and integrates market research to support Category strategies and/or sourcing activities with the ability to filter data into a relevant, actionable format.
• Owns overall capability for team development and skill building focusing on “soft” skills (effective business partnering, influence, enterprise thinking, communication, active listening, executive presence), business skills, and “hard” sourcing skills.
• Develops and enables the digital roadmap for strategic sourcing to continue to drive efficiencies, effectiveness and continuous improvements by maximizing data and technology solutions.
• Ensures RFx processes and tools are effectively conducted by team members including, but not limited to, the development of the requirements, drafting RFP documents, facilitation of team meetings and vendor sessions, negotiation of terms and pricing with the vendors, and ultimately supporting the execution of Supplier Agreements.
• Alongside the TPRM and sourcing teams, ensures TPRM processes are connected to the end to end strategy to pay process, and team members can support the business with identification of all applicable risks as part of the Sourcing process, including coordination with Risk Subject Matter Experts to properly assess and develop mitigation plans, where necessary, ensuring a high level of business resiliency across the supply base.
• In partnership with the Contract teams, ensures contracting processes are connected to the end to end strategy to pay process, and team members can support the business with effective contract facilitation and management to execute on strategies.
• In partnership with the P2P team, ensures supplier onboarding process if effective and aligned to drive the category strategy and sourcing outcomes developed.
• In partnership with the sourcing teams and the P2P team, develop a buying channel strategy to ensure category strategies and sourcing outcomes can be optimally operationalized into buying and payment channels, enabling streamlined processes and a simplified user experience.
• Develop, drive, and embed a robust Sustainability program and roadmap inclusive of Supplier Diversity program and results and Sustainability strategies to enable the organization to meet business needs and achieve ID&E company goals.
• Develop and enable Supplier Performance/Relationship Management processes, including supplier performance monitoring and managing supplier risk, to guide and mentor team members to ensure successful execution with strategic suppliers, and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Develops value delivery plans, goals, and metrics with the business linked to business objectives including articulating relevant value beyond savings targets such as innovation, simplification, urgency etc. as well as annual cost savings targets, in collaboration with Business Partners and Finance, within their specific category(ies) and is accountable for successful achievement.
• Develop and enforce policies and procedures to ensure compliance with global regulations and internal SOPs, regularly conducting reviews to assess compliance, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Align Strategy to pay end to end processes with overall business objectives and collaborate with key stakeholders to understand evolving needs; own, develop and embed tools and processes to enable consistency, simplification, and sustainability of strategic sourcing enablement to the business.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure strategy to pay process integration, simple and visible user experience, streamline workflows, reduce cycle times, and enhance overall efficiency.
• Drive initiatives that enhance the strategic value of the strategic sourcing and procurement functions within the organization, in alignment with the P2P team.
• Evaluate, implement and optimize strategic sourcing and procurement technologies and tools to enhance automation and data drive decision-making, including a strategy and roadmap to enable evolving business needs.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for strategic sourcing and procurement processes and monitor performance against these metrics.
• Develop training programs and tools for sourcing teams to elevate the organization to develop business partnerships and multi-year vision and strategic category plans and high levels of influence to maximize the value of supplier partnerships to enable business objectives, ensuring processes, tools and ways of working are embedded for success.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within the strategic sourcing and procurement function to mature and sustain the value if the organization to the business.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Able to establish and maintain strong business partner relationships at highest levels within the organization, partner on and shape strategies and develop multi-year plans to drive value for the business, gaining their respect and trust; Thoughtful and active listener; able to think quickly and effectively articulate points of view.
• Able to contribute to goal-setting process for the Strategic Sourcing group; takes ownership for broader team goals and objectives in addition to their own specific goals.
• Deep understanding of Category Management within specific areas of expertise; able to manage and drive all aspects of Strategic Sourcing including RFx execution, negotiation, contract execution, risk assessment and mitigation, data analysis and analytic tools, buying channels, P2P tools and processes, supplier performance management, and business stakeholder and supplier management.
• Able to develop team members and provide constructive feedback supported by specific examples. Makes necessary hard decisions when team members are not able to perform to expectations despite sustained support and coaching.
• Leads by example; sets aggressive goals but provides necessary support to ensure successful execution.
• Viewed as subject matter expert within their category(ies) by Business Partners; able to bring new ideas and information that create tangible value to business. Demonstrated ability to influence Sr. Leadership to drive Sourcing’s value; gained a “Seat at the table” with stakeholders
• Strong understanding of the drug discovery process and the specific regulatory requirements associated with operating in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. Continually seeks to increase knowledge of biotech/ pharmaceutical industry.
• Has firm understanding of Vertex’s strategic direction, financial performance, and key annual operational imperatives and can effectively communicate these to suppliers to ensure transparency and alignment with Vertex’s goals and objectives
• True expertise in managing and leading complex supplier negotiations, including development of comprehensive negotiation planners and ensuring alignment with all internal business stakeholders.
• Strong project management and organizational skills. Able to teach team members on how to create detailed project plans, including an understanding of dependencies as well as critical path elements for larger, more involved projects. Track record of successful execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Able to lead larger, cross-functional/global teams in collaborative manner to drive successful outcomes. Collaboration extends beyond Business Partners and suppliers to include other functional areas including Legal, Compliance, Finance, among others.
• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal); able to clearly articulate opinions in concise and persuasive manner. Comfortable speaking in front of groups and/or leading meetings that may include Executive Management personnel.
• Able to establish and maintain effective business partner relationships at highest levels within the organization; gained their respect and trust;
• Thoughtful and active listener; able to think quickly and effectively articulate points of view.
• Ability to work in collaborative, team environment; ability to cultivate and maintain effective business partner relationships through earned respect and trust
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while ensuring deliverables are fully met on-time, including more complex and involved projects. Once given direction, able to work autonomously with minimal support/direction from their Manager.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline from a 4-year College or University

• Typically requires 12-14 years of specific Sourcing experience, ideally several within a pharmaceutical / biotech industry, with 7+ years of supervisory experience with larger-sized teams.