Lead Procurement specialist - Capex

This job is with Thermo Fisher Scientific, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

The Lead Procurement Specialist – Capex is responsible for managing a portfolio of Capital Expenditure procurement projects across ThermoFisher Scientific CDMO sites, with an annual spend of approximately $250M. Operating as an individual contributor in a fast-paced, matrixed multinational environment, this role partners closely with Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Project Management teams to drive procurement activities from User Requirement Specification (URS) through to project delivery and commissioning.

This role requires a seasoned procurement professional capable of engaging at senior levels of the organization, combining rigorous project management skills with strategic category expertise to deliver projects on time, within budget, and in full compliance with regulatory and quality standards.

This role requires up to 50% domestic and international travel across various Thermo Fisher sites and Key suppliers’ locations.

Scale of Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management: Manage a Capex procurement portfolio of approximately $250M spanning Design & Construction projects and specialized CDMO equipment procurement across multiple ThermoFisher sites

• Savings Delivery: Identify, quantify, and deliver bridgeable savings and cost avoidance opportunities across the assigned project portfolio, ensuring full savings tracking and reporting to Capex procurement leadership

• Category Ownership: Manage an assigned Capex sub-category of spend, developing and implementing sourcing strategies to optimize the supply base, mitigate risk, and leverage spend across groups, divisions, and regions

• Supplier Governance: Drive supplier performance management through regular Business Reviews with key strategic suppliers, and establish regional or global Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

• Reporting: Provide regular reporting on project advancement status, savings pipelines & realization status, and category performance to key stakeholders and Capex procurement leadership

Technical Responsibilities

• Lead the full procurement lifecycle for Capex projects from URS definition and supplier pre-qualification through RFx, negotiation, contract award, delivery, and commissioning

• Apply a structured Category Management approach to conduct spend analysis, identify sourcing opportunities, and develop multi-year sourcing strategies for the assigned Capex sub-category

• Analyze market intelligence to assess cost drivers, supplier landscape, and technology trends, translating insights into actionable category plans

• Develop and negotiate regional and global contracts (MSAs, SLAs, framework agreements) aligned with category strategy and ThermoFisher's procurement governance framework

• Identify, qualify, and onboard suppliers capable of meeting CDMO-specific technical, quality, and regulatory requirements

• Conduct supplier performance reviews (KPIs, scorecards, continuous improvement plans) and drive corrective actions where required

• Perform spend analysis and supply base rationalization to consolidate the supplier panel and maximize leverage across groups, divisions and regions

• Contribute to risk management activities: supply continuity planning, supplier financial health monitoring, geopolitical risk assessment

Leadership Responsibilities

• Act as the primary Capex procurement interface for Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Project Management teams, ensuring full alignment between procurement strategy and project requirements

• Engage and influence senior stakeholders across the organization to drive procurement best practices and category strategy adoption

• Coordinate cross-functional teams throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring timely decision-making and escalation management

• Share best practices and market intelligence with the broader Global Capex Procurement community

Education, Experience and Abilities

• MBA or Master's degree in Procurement, Engineering, Business, or a related field strongly preferred; Bachelor's degree required

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Capex projects procurement, and/or category management in mid-to-large multinational companies

• Proven track record in managing complex Capex projects, including Design & Construction and specialized manufacturing and/or equipment procurement

• Experience in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, CDMO industries strongly preferred

• Knowledge of construction management principles and project lifecycle management is a significant plus

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, global, and highly matrixed environment

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence at senior levels of the organization

• Experience working in highly regulated industries

• Solid negotiation skills with demonstrated experience in global contract management (MSAs, SLAs, framework agreements)

• Strong analytical capabilities: spend analysis, cost modeling, market benchmarking

• CPSM or equivalent is preferred

• Fluent in written and spoken English

• Experience in a continuous improvement environment with a track record of achieving significant year-over-year results