Global Direct Category Manager
Lonza
Summary
Join Lonza as a Global Direct Category Manager and play a critical role in shaping the global sourcing strategy for direct raw materials that support the manufacture of life-changing therapies. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders across multiple sites and regions, driving cost optimization, supply reliability, innovation, and business continuity across a global chemical spend portfolio valued at approximately CHF 75 million.
Job description
What you will do
- Develop and drive global category strategies for direct raw materials to support business objectives, supplier performance, and long-term value creation.
- Partner with stakeholders across manufacturing sites, supply chain, operations, quality, and finance teams to ensure business continuity and meet evolving business needs.
- Lead sourcing activities including RFx processes, supplier negotiations, contract development, and commercial planning to deliver measurable business value.
- Manage a global supplier portfolio, monitoring performance, compliance, risk, and opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks including single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, financial risks, and quality concerns.
- Support the implementation of procurement policies, procedures, tools, and standardization initiatives while driving procurement efficiency and automation.
- Promote best-practice sharing across sites and regions while contributing to cost reduction, supply reliability, and capability-building initiatives within the procurement organization.
What we are looking for
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
- 5-10 years of procurement, strategic sourcing, process excellence, category management or related supply chain function experience within the pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, chemical, or other highly regulated industries.
- Demonstrated expertise in supplier selection, supplier negotiations, contract management, and strategic sourcing methodologies.
- Strong ability to build collaborative relationships and influence stakeholders across global, regional, and site-based organizations.
- Experience managing supplier performance, supply risk assessments, and business continuity initiatives within complex supply chains.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and make sound business decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Professional procurement certification such as CIPS, or equivalent qualification, is highly desirable.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
- 5-10 years of procurement, strategic sourcing, process excellence, category management or related supply chain function experience within the pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, chemical, or other highly regulated industries.
- Demonstrated expertise in supplier selection, supplier negotiations, contract management, and strategic sourcing methodologies.
- Strong ability to build collaborative relationships and influence stakeholders across global, regional, and site-based organizations.
- Experience managing supplier performance, supply risk assessments, and business continuity initiatives within complex supply chains.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and make sound business decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Professional procurement certification such as CIPS, or equivalent qualification, is highly desirable.
Benefits
- Performance-related bonus
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Life Insurance
- Short-term Disability
- Long-term Disability
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Paid Time Off
Company overview
Lonza is a pioneering global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and a world leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing services. Founded in 1897 in Switzerland, the company has evolved into the first and original CDMO, now operating as one of the largest Western CDMO networks with approximately 19,000 employees across more than 30 sites spanning five continents. Lonza specializes in transforming therapeutic discoveries into life-saving and life-enhancing treatments for patients worldwide. The company's comprehensive services span from early development to drug substance and drug product manufacturing, covering established and emerging technologies including mammalian biologics, small molecules, highly potent APIs, bioconjugates, mRNA, microbial products, and cell and gene therapies. With a focus on cutting-edge science, smart technology, and lean manufacturing, Lonza serves a diverse customer base ranging from emerging biotechs to global pharmaceutical companies, delivering integrated solutions throughout the entire treatment lifecycle.