Head of Lab Procurement

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Category Management

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for critical lab spend (e.g., sequencing equipment pacing, consumables, service contracts).
• Establish best practices for lab procurement, setting the standard for purchasing behaviors across lab managers and technicians across multiple sites, while also directly leading major RFx and/or negotiations for high-value contracts.
• Negotiate complex commercial terms to secure favorable pricing, mitigate supply chain risk, and ensure service level agreements (SLAs) meet business needs.
• Champion the integration of AI-driven tools to automate routine tasks, enhance spend visibility, and predict market trends.

2. Stakeholder Partnership

• Act as a strategic advisor to functional leaders, understanding their roadmaps and budget constraints to align new possibilities in related external markets with internal business goals.
• Build trust and collaboration across lab sites to ensure procurement is viewed as an enabler rather than a blocker.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams for major sourcing initiatives (lab leaders, legal, finance).

3. Financial Impact

• Define and achieve targets for cost savings and cost avoidance.
• Partner with Finance to track savings validation and ensure budget alignment.
• Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction while maintaining quality and service levels.

Qualifications

• Experience: 8-10+ years of procurement experience with a focus on lab categories; prior experience in a procurement function for a high-growth tech or healthcare environment is strongly preferred.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field, including applicable life science fields.
• Tech Savvy: Familiarity with modern ERPs (e.g., NetSuite) and procurement platforms (e.g., Coupa, Zip). Experience implementing or utilizing AI tools in a professional setting is a plus.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional negotiation capabilities, executive presence, and the ability to influence without authority.