Associate Director, Commercial Strategic Sourcing, Consulting, Data & Technology
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Summary
The Associate Director, Commercial Strategic Sourcing, Consulting, Data & Technology will lead the Strategic Sourcing efforts within commercial technology, commercial consulting, data acquisition & analytics, field training, fleet operations, marketing operations and creative services. This role is instrumental in optimizing supplier performance, ensuring commercial efficiency through strong supplier partnership and sourcing strategies.
Job description
Overall Responsibility
- Build relationships with Customer Engagement business partners to develop and enable sourcing strategies that align with the needs of the business while meeting financial, operational, risk, quality, regulatory, and assurance of supply/services control objectives.
- Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor to Commercial stakeholders for Consulting, Data & Technology initiatives, providing proactive, consultative support on their sourcing needs.
- Manage and identify key supplier relationships by enabling operational delivery, continuous improvement, and innovation through performance and relationship measurement, overall governance, supplier relationship development and alignment to business and corporate goals and objectives.
- Be a champion for Sourcing by ensuring and monitoring compliance with sourcing policies and processes through stakeholder communication, training, and the identification and reporting of exceptions and deviations.
- Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities within the process area.
- Drive 10-15% annual savings within in-scope spend areas.
- Lead and execute significant, high value and high impact sourcing activities with cross-functional teams by assessing the category market, collecting business requirements, soliciting RFx’s, leading contractual and rate card negotiations and ensuring the strategic contractual infrastructure is in place to support business priorities.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards. Assess and mitigate supplier risks, driving quality and adhering to regulatory guidelines.
- Create excellence through consistent, high-quality outcomes.
Strategic Sourcing Vision, Strategy, and Objectives
- Execute against a common vision and strategy for Strategic Sourcing at Otsuka. Partners with Business leaders and other key stakeholders to gain their perspectives and endorsement of the vision and strategy.
- Produce measurements of success (KPIs) and appropriate processes to capture, consolidate and report on sourcing performance and outcome versus objectives to business partners.
- Build and maintain the category’s spend analytics and program metrics using advanced Excel, and translate them into clear, executive-ready PowerPoint.
- Provide regular reporting and tracking of overall sourcing initiatives and their progress, including issues, risks, and other important observations to ELT, Business Leaders, and Stakeholders.
- Provide category expertise to business partners regarding changes in the category supplier landscape including new and existing suppliers.
Strategic Sourcing Process and Policy
- Provides appropriate training across the organization on the importance of following Sourcing policies and processes.
- Ensures the appropriate controls are in place to meet regulatory requirements (i.e. J-sox, Third Party Risk Management, etc.).
- Ensures best practices in Sourcing including accurate spend analysis, usage of RFx tools and templates, contract management, establishment of Preferred Supplier Programs, and ensuring all sourcing savings are realized into the financials.
- Oversee key service provider relationships by participating in governance and business review meetings.
- Lead negotiations for Master Services Agreements, Statements of Work, Amendments and Change Orders to ensure timely execution of contracts and budget alignment, where applicable.
- Enable the success of the Indirect Sourcing MSP model by establishing ways of working, category specific contract templates, and escalation pathways.
Strategic Sourcing Execution
- Perform daily activities related to sourcing projects including the development of RFx strategy and on-going contract negotiations.
- Develop operational metrics to ensure continuous monitoring and process improvement across all sourcing projects and report them to Sourcing leadership.
- Ensure all assigned sourcing projects have clear objectives including financial and operational benefits, aligned with business stakeholders.
- Partner with Business Owners and Financial Operations, and other key process owners to ensure project timelines are met.
Organizational Design and Development
- Actively seeks development of sourcing and financial capabilities.
- Collaborate with Professional Services and Information Technology category leads for ongoing continuous improvement activities (category playbooks, preferred supplier programs, general process optimization, etc.).
Requirements
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing roles within the Pharmaceutical industry
- Experience in executing commercial & corporate services sourcing projects yielding preferred or strategic partnerships
- Experience in interacting with senior level stakeholders and suppliers
- Proficient in evaluating and developing procurement strategies in alignment with key stakeholders
- Proficient in negotiating supplier contracts and rate cards
- Demonstrated proficiency in launching and managing financial KPI's for Sourcing
- Demonstrated proficiency in building successful stakeholder relationships
- Expertise in data analysis and extracting key actionable observations
- Executive presence and influence with demonstrated ability to tell a story and influence the direction of the organization
- Strong PowerPoint and presentation skills
- Strong organizational and project-management skills
- Familiar with emerging Procurement technologies
- Outstanding communication skills
- Strong customer service focus
- Experience listening to client needs and partnering to deliver results
- Specific experience in leading large, complex sourcing events with multi-functional stakeholder teams
- Effective influencing and negotiating skills
- High degree of analytical skills
- Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and development of new drugs
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Sciences or relevant technical expertise
- Advanced degree (MBA/MS) preferred
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Prescription Drug Coverage
- Basic Life Insurance
- AD&D Insurance
- Short-term Disability
- Long-term Disability
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Student Loan Assistance
- 401(k) Matching
- Flexible Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Leave Programs
Company overview
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Founded on August 10, 1964, the company operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. With approximately 5,907 employees as of December 2024, Otsuka Pharmaceutical specializes in the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, clinical testing equipment, medical devices, food products, and cosmetics. The company has established a strong global presence with operations spanning multiple countries and regions. Otsuka is particularly known for its innovative approach to healthcare, focusing on both pharmaceutical treatments and nutraceutical products that support everyday health maintenance. The company's diverse portfolio includes well-known brands and has made significant contributions to various therapeutic areas, demonstrating its commitment to improving global health through scientific innovation and quality healthcare solutions.