Manager, Strategic Sourcing

About Us

Novugen is a wholly owned subsidiary of SciTech International, a UAE-based group with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. We specialize in venturing into strategic healthcare businesses and developing world-class healthcare facilities across the globe. With operations in multiple countries across continents, our global presence and expertise empower us to meet the complex challenges of delivering hard-to-source, technology-intensive pharmaceutical products to market.

Our manufacturing facilities in Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, are the first USFDA-approved pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. We are also the first pharmaceutical company in the region to be vertically integrated from R&D to manufacturing, giving us greater control over the supply chain and reflecting our commitment to meeting a wide range of stringent regulatory standards.

At Novugen, we are united by a shared vision, with a team of talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and nationalities working together towards one common goal. We are driven by a passion for science and innovation, striving to accelerate the launch of pharmaceuticals that lack robust generic alternatives due to their complexity. Our continued investment in R&D and dedication to excellence aim to provide early access to affordable, high-quality medicines, impacting lives across the world.

Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare and changing lives everywhere.

About the role

As the Manager of Strategic Sourcing (R&D), you will be the bridge between innovation and execution. You will lead the procurement lifecycle for raw materials (APIs & Excipients) and packaging components specifically for our New Product Development (NPD) and formulation pipelines. Your mission is to optimize cost, ensure regulatory compliance, and build a resilient supply chain that supports Novugen's global expansion.

Key Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be a strategic procurement leader with a proven track record in pharmaceutical R&D sourcing. We are looking for a professional who combines technical depth with commercial acumen to drive our formulation pipelines forward.

• Lead and execute sourcing initiatives that drive significant cost savings, quality improvements, and superior supplier performance for both existing portfolios and new formulation development.
• Identify and qualify strategic partners for niche and complex molecules, ensuring alignment with R&D timelines and project milestones.
• Conduct deep-dive market analytics to stay ahead of industry trends, pricing volatility, and global logistics shifts.
• Mitigate supply chain risks by diversifying the vendor base and ensuring all contractual terms align with company risk standards.
• Lead high-stakes negotiations for pricing, payment terms, and supply agreements, ensuring a balance between cost-effectiveness and long-term security of supply.
• Manage the end-to-end P2P (Procure-to-Pay) process, ensuring financial discipline and budgetary compliance.
• Navigate the regulatory requirements of both regulated and semi-regulated markets to ensure all sourced materials meet stringent quality and compliance standards.
• Work closely with Portfolio, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Business Development and other CFT's to ensure seamless material evaluation, qualification and DMF/technical package adequacy.
• Oversee the accuracy of vendor and material master data within SAP.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams (CFT), including Planning, Warehouse, and Logistics, to optimize inventory levels and expedite customs clearance for urgent R&D materials.
• Champion the resolution of quality complaints and material rejections, ensuring timely CAPA implementation from suppliers.

About You

• Around 7 to 10 years of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical sourcing specifically focused on Formulation R&D.
• Substantial expertise navigating the requirements of Regulated markets (USFDA, EMA, TGA) as well as Semi-regulated markets.
• Deep technical understanding of the global pharmaceutical landscape, including the sourcing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), various Excipient categories, and Primary/Secondary packaging components.
• Ability to evaluate technical packages and DMFs to ensure alignment with R&D formulation goals.
• Comprehensive knowledge of global regulatory frameworks and quality compliance standards (cGMP).
• Experience ensuring that all sourced materials meet the stringent documentation requirements necessary for successful regulatory filings.
• Advanced proficiency in SAP and data-driven procurement analytics to manage the P2P lifecycle and inventory optimization.
• Strong ability to translate market intelligence into actionable sourcing strategies.
• A resilient, versatile professional with a troubleshooting mindset, capable of managing the high-pressure, fast-paced complexities of an R&D environment.
• Proven ability to identify supply chain bottlenecks and implement effective mitigation plans.
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills to manage diverse portfolios with international manufacturers.
• A collaborative approach to managing internal cross-functional stakeholders (R&D, QA, RA, and Finance) to ensure project timelines are met.
• A resilient and versatile professional with a troubleshooting mindset capable of navigating the complexities of a fast-paced R&D environment.