Sr. Strategic Buyer
Lonza
Summary
As a Senior Strategic Buyer, you will play a key role in driving value for site stakeholders by working closely with the Central Procurement team to ensure seamless business continuity and alignment with site-specific objectives. You will build strong partnerships with key stakeholders across sites to manage and optimize supplier relationships and performance. Drawing on your expertise in tendering, negotiation, contracting, and procurement systems, you will lead the execution of strategic sourcing initiatives while overseeing delegated spend to ensure procurement processes are both efficient and impactful at the site level.
Job description
What you will do:
- Collaborate with the Central Category Manager to develop and execute category strategies, ensuring alignment with current and future business needs at the site level.
- Lead sourcing initiatives for delegated spend across assigned sites, driving efficiency and cost savings.
- Provide expert support in tendering, negotiations, contracting, and procurement planning, ensuring compliance and best practices.
- Assist in global and regional sourcing efforts, supporting the roll-out of procurement policies, procedures, and tools across sites.
- Optimize procurement activities by identifying cost efficiencies, driving automation, and utilizing leading-edge tools like e-auctions and online catalogs.
- Manage supplier relationships, including transitions, performance monitoring, and risk assessments (e.g. supply, quality, financial risks).
- Partner with site stakeholders and controllers to forecast spend, track savings, and ensure business continuity for indirect materials, while identifying risks and opportunities for improvement.
What we are looking for:
- Bachelor’s degree, MBA, or advanced degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Procurement, or Supply Chain.
- Solid understanding of general business practices and procurement fundamentals.
- 5-10 years of experience in both Operational Procurement and Strategic Buying/Category Management with strong experience in Strategic Buying.
- Expertise in tendering, negotiation tactics, planning, and contracting.
- Proven track record in third-party spend management and supplier relationship management.
- Ability to influence and persuade suppliers to secure the best outcomes for Lonza.
- Hands-on experience with SAP ERP and SAP Ariba (for Strategic Buyer, Indirect Procurement).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other essential tools for procurement operations.
- Strong customer service mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Positive attitude and a proactive approach to learning new skills.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree, MBA, or advanced degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Procurement, or Supply Chain.
- Solid understanding of general business practices and procurement fundamentals.
- 5-10 years of experience in both Operational Procurement and Strategic Buying/Category Management with strong experience in Strategic Buying.
- Expertise in tendering, negotiation tactics, planning, and contracting.
- Proven track record in third-party spend management and supplier relationship management.
- Ability to influence and persuade suppliers to secure the best outcomes for Lonza.
- Hands-on experience with SAP ERP and SAP Ariba (for Strategic Buyer, Indirect Procurement).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other essential tools for procurement operations.
- Strong customer service mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Positive attitude and a proactive approach to learning new skills.
Benefits
- Performance-related bonus
- Medical, dental & vision insurance
- 401(k) matching plan
- Life insurance
- Short-term & 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.