AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven BioPharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious disease. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies.

We are trusted partners who are connected and integrated across the global enterprise, working closely with all functions from Commercial to Manufacturing. It opens up greater development opportunities for more responsibility on a global scale.

Join a team that supports the delivery of life-changing medicines for patients by enabling the rest of the business to run effectively and harness our transformative science. We're on a journey of growth and evolution – to find better ways to translate value for the business and our patients.

About the roleThis newly created position provides daily leadership and hands-on support for all procurement activities within our Global Source-to-Contract (S2C) Excellence team. You will manage strategic relationships with Business Stakeholders, Global Category Teams, and in‑market Procurement Managers, and lead complex, high‑value Source‑to‑Contract projects end to end. This includes preparing and running sourcing events; owning business sign‑off on supplier selection; negotiating and renegotiating commercial terms, conditions, and contractual clauses; and coordinating contract execution (signatures) and storage in designated systems.

As Associate Director, you will leverage deep category/area expertise and advanced sourcing and contracting knowledge to efficiently execute procurement strategies, deliver financial savings and value, mitigate risk, and ensure business continuity for key contracts across relevant categories. You will report to the Source‑to‑Contract Team Manager in the Hub, shaping S2C excellence while mentoring others and elevating practices across the team.

Responsibilities

Typical AccountabilitiesYou will be responsible for supporting Business Stakeholders, Global Category Teams, and in‑market Procurement throughout the Source‑to‑Contract process, including:

Building and managing strong relationships with Category Managers, Procurement Managers, and Business Stakeholders.
Providing procurement recommendations on the most efficient ways to execute strategy, proactively proposing solutions to all AZ partners involved in sourcing and contracting projects.
Supporting Global Category Leaders to develop sourcing strategies that deliver category targets and savings.
Independently managing and negotiating complex sourcing projects and contracts (Master Service Agreements, Professional Service Agreements, and others).
Evaluating and recommending complex and variable procurement models to efficiently execute strategy, weighing alternatives and balancing conflict situations.
Supporting market research activities by issuing RFIs.
Managing sourcing projects, including issuing RFPs and RFQs.
Conducting e‑auctions.
Analyzing received proposals, making recommendations for supplier selection, and preparing clear summary reports.
Acting as a Subject Matter Expert to other team members—coaching, advising, and raising the bar on quality and consistency.
Initiating improvement initiatives to drive simplification and standardization of sourcing processes across the team.
Actively participating in S2C process improvement and optimization (process steps, internal ways of working, legal support model, documents and templates, etc.).
Ensuring compliance with company procurement policies and improving usage of procurement tools.
Managing contract renewals and new contract creation, including negotiations/renegotiations of T&Cs and contract clauses.
Overseeing contract administration—gathering signatures and ensuring proper contract storage in the system.
Demonstrating high standards in stakeholder cooperation, with the ability to connect and build strong relationships globally in a matrix organization.

Essential Requirements

University degree required.
At least 6 years of work experience in procurement or supply chain (preferably within a large or mature procurement organization).
Significant, proven category knowledge.
Significant, proven sourcing and contracting experience, including end‑to‑end Source‑to‑Contract (E2E S2C), effective use of negotiation techniques and tools (eSourcing solutions), and extensive experience negotiating commercial terms and contract clauses.
Ability to independently run complex contracting projects, including leading supplier negotiations.
Experience managing stakeholders across the globe within a matrix organization.
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Problem‑solving and continuous improvement mindset.
A proactive can‑do attitude.
Microsoft Office literacy.

Skills

Excellent English communication skills (verbal and written), with the ability to present information clearly and concisely to all levels within the organization.
Business-level proficiency in Chinese (Mandarin) across speaking, reading, and writing to support the China entity.
Ability to engage quickly with stakeholders at different levels, with particular focus on strategic relationships with senior executives.
Strong relationship and business partnering skills.
Effective influencing/persuasion skills and conflict resolution.
Project management skills—designing, implementing, and managing procurement projects to a successful conclusion.
Results focus with the drive to achieve and surpass targets against internal or external standards of excellence.
Flexibility and fast adaptation to changing environments.
Strong time management and prioritization—able to make timely decisions that create real savings or cost avoidance.
Strong team player able to collaborate across cultures.
Proficient presentation skills: applies best practices, selects the right method, and tailors content to the audience; shapes messages that land clearly and compellingly.
Versatile writing skills: from conversation notes and formal meeting minutes to well‑structured reports.
Confident, eloquent communicator with a wide range of audiences (including senior stakeholders); able to advise team members and present to senior leaders.

Desirable (On‑the‑job Skills And Knowledge)

Contract management

Has the contracting knowledge to fluently drive the contracting process, including advising on the right template or contracting approach.
Identifies and mitigates risks in the S2C process.

Procurement process

Applies procurement processes and tools in daily work.
Advises stakeholders on sourcing event types and contract structures.
Drives the E2E S2C process independently, including identifying and mitigating related risks; shares expertise with procurement and business.
Takes ownership of onboarding a colleague.

Business acumen

Understands category/SET area specifics, business needs, and priorities, and applies them to the work.
Able to influence stakeholders.

Awareness

Demonstrates understanding of the areas and rules that govern the functioning of the organization.
Knows AZ structure and market position.
Acknowledges and acts in line with AZ values and Code of Ethics.
Actively uses opportunities to work across teams.
Sees the bigger picture of the processes they are involved in.
Demonstrates contribution to the procurement scorecard.
Acts as an ambassador of GPS.
Represents and presents GPS to senior stakeholders in wide forums.
Leads cross‑team projects.
Co‑creates the processes they are involved in.

At AstraZeneca we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There's no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We're on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. We only employ individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.

Date Posted

20-May-2026

Closing Date

30-Jul-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

Associate Director Global S2C Excellence Procurement