Head of API Procurement

ph3Position Purpose /h3 pThe Head of API Procurement plays a key leadership role in shaping Zentiva’s global sourcing strategy for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Key Starting Materials (KSMs). This role ensures security of supply, cost competitiveness, and strong supplier partnerships while supporting the company’s growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability. You will lead a global procurement scope across Europe, India, and China, driving measurable business impact and positioning procurement as a strategic partner to the organisation. This role is central to strengthening supply resilience, enabling product launches, and supporting Zentiva’s ambition to become a cost‑competitive and resilient European pharmaceutical leader. /p h3Main Accountabilities And Duties /h3 ul liCategory Strategy, Financial Performance Decision Rights /li liDefine and execute the multi-year global category strategy for APIs and KSMs, aligned with Zentiva’s growth roadmap, portfolio priorities, and long-range financial ambitions. /li liOwn the annual budget, savings pipeline, PPV performance, and long-range planning inputs for the API portfolio in alignment with Finance and Operations. /li liDeliver at least 5% year-on-year validated savings against the approved Finance baseline through price reductions, alternate-source implementation, demand optimization, specification changes, supplier competition, and other agreed value levers. Cost avoidance is tracked separately unless explicitly agreed with Finance. /li liApply market intelligence, should-cost models, total-cost-of-ownership analysis, cost-driver modelling, and scenario planning to strengthen decision-making and budget predictability. /li liOwn commercial supplier recommendations and API sourcing strategies, subject to applicable technical, quality, regulatory, financial, and governance approvals. /li liEnsure category strategies support launch readiness, tender competitiveness, lifecycle management, working-capital improvement, and long-term product profitability. /li liSupplier Ecosystem Commercial Leadership /li liBuild and maintain a competitive, compliant, innovative, and high-performing global API supplier ecosystem across Europe, India, China, and other strategic sourcing markets. /li liLead major supplier negotiations, long-term agreements, strategic alliances, commercial escalations, and executive-level supplier relationships. /li liOwn supplier segmentation and strategic relationship management, including QBRs, scorecards, joint business planning, supplier-development plans, and continuous-improvement programs. /li liIdentify and develop new suppliers to improve competitiveness, geographic balance, innovation, and long-term resilience. /li liPartner with suppliers on process improvement, backward integration, capacity expansion, innovation, and structural cost reduction opportunities. /li liSupply Resilience, Quality, Regulatory ESG /li liEnsure uninterrupted supply of APIs and KSMs across Zentiva’s internal manufacturing sites and external supply network. /li liDevelop and execute risk mitigation plans, including dual sourcing, alternate supplier qualification, geographic diversification, inventory strategies, and business continuity planning. /li liAnticipate and manage API-specific risks, including DMF/CEP dependencies, GMP compliance, raw-material volatility, capacity constraints, supplier financial health, geopolitical exposure, and market concentration. /li liPartner with Quality and Regulatory Affairs to ensure supplier qualification, audit readiness, DMF/CEP alignment, change-control execution, regulatory compliance, and timely implementation of approved sources. /li liIntegrate responsible sourcing and ESG expectations into supplier selection, due diligence, performance reviews, and supplier development, in collaboration with the Procurement CoE. /li liBusiness Partnering, Governance Transformation /li liAct as the senior procurement partner for API-related topics with Operations, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Finance, RD, Portfolio, Commercial, and site leadership teams. /li liEnsure early procurement involvement in new product development, technical transfers, supplier changes, launches, tenders, and lifecycle-management initiatives. /li liLead API category governance forums, category-strategy reviews, supplier escalations, executive updates, and cross-functional decisions on molecule and supplier strategies. /li liInfluence strategic decisions through robust business cases, cost-driver analysis, supplier risk assessments, and data-driven recommendations. /li liAlign with the Procurement CoE on standardized processes, contract templates, digital tools, analytics, ESG integration, and continuous improvement. /li liPeople Leadership Capability Building /li liLead and develop a multicultural and geographically distributed API Procurement team. /li liSet clear objectives, performance indicators, decision rights, and role expectations across the API Procurement organization. /li liBuild capability in category strategy, API market intelligence, cost modelling, negotiation excellence, supplier risk management, and stakeholder influence. /li liCreate succession depth for critical roles and actively develop the next generation of procurement leaders. /li liFoster a high-performance culture grounded in Trust, Courage, Authenticity, Collaboration, Accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement. /li /ul h3Essential /h3 h3Required Qualifications, Experience Skills /h3 ul liExtensive experience (10+ years) in procurement or category management within pharmaceuticals, APIs. /li liProven track record in global category management and supplier relationship management for APIs and KSMs, including major negotiations, alternate sourcing, and business-continuity programs. /li liStrong understanding of global API supplier markets and sourcing dynamics across Europe, India, China, and other strategic regions. /li liDeep working knowledge of GMP, DMF/CEP requirements, supplier qualification, audits, change controls, and regulatory implementation. /li liDemonstrated delivery of material savings, complex negotiations, alternate-source implementation, and business-continuity improvements. /li liStrong financial acumen, including COGS, PPV, long-range planning, cost-driver modelling, FX exposure, and working capital. /li liProven people leadership across multicultural and geographically distributed teams. /li liExcellent executive communication, stakeholder management, negotiation, and influencing skills. /li liFluent in English; additional European or Asian languages are an advantage. /li liWillingness to travel approximately 20%. /li /ul h3Preferred /h3 ul liExperience in complex generics, specialty pharma, or a private-equity-backed growth environment. /li liFamiliarity with digital procurement tools such as SAP Ariba, GEP, Coupa, advanced analytics, and supplier-risk platforms. /li liStrong understanding of sustainable procurement and ESG principles, working in partnership with the Procurement CoE and Sustainability teams. /li /ul h3Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is an act @Zentiva /h3 pAt Zentiva, we are a team of 5000 unique talents bonded together by our purpose to provide health and well-being for all generations. We strive daily to create a work culture where everyone feels appreciated, can be their true selves, and contribute to the best of their ability. Seeking for a balanced team across the company, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates with variouseducational and industry experiences,cultural or ethnical backgrounds, and differentlife experiencesorabilities,regardless of theirreligious or philosophical beliefsorwhomever they choose to love. /p pMinimum Gross Annual Salary in Italy: 70,000 EUR /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr