Procurement Specialist

Job Title: Procurement Specialist

Location: Onsite, Cranbury NJ

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Manager, Procurement

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Procurement Specialist to join our dynamic team within our CDMO operations. The Procurement Specialist will be responsible for managing all aspects of procurement activities to support business operations, including sourcing, purchasing, supplier management, spend analysis, and inventory replenishment. By collaborating with cross-functional teams, the Procurement Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring the timely availability of materials, consumables, equipment, and services while maintaining cost efficiency, quality standards, and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of procurement operations within the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, including supplier relationship management, strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, inventory planning, cost optimization, and procurement best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute purchase orders for materials, consumables, equipment, and services required to support daily business and operational activities.

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to review purchasing requirements, confirm specifications, quantities, delivery schedules, and budget expectations.

• Manage the end-to-end procurement process, including purchase requisition review, vendor quotation requests, bid comparisons, purchase order issuance, and order tracking.

• Maintain accurate procurement records and purchasing databases, ensuring all purchase requests, orders, contracts, pricing information, and supplier documentation are current and properly maintained.

• Monitor open purchase orders and proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure timely delivery and fulfillment of business requirements.

• Collaborate with vendors to resolve purchasing issues, including delivery delays, quality concerns, invoice discrepancies, and order-related exceptions.

• Support supplier selection, qualification, and performance management activities, ensuring reliable supply, competitive pricing, and compliance with company requirements.

• Conduct supplier and market research to identify alternative sources, improve supplier performance, and mitigate supply chain risks.

• Analyze purchasing data and spending trends to identify cost-saving opportunities, process improvements, and sourcing strategies.

• Participate in vendor negotiations regarding pricing, payment terms, service agreements, and supply contracts to achieve optimal commercial outcomes.

• Support category management initiatives and strategic sourcing projects across various procurement categories.

• Maintain inventory replenishment planning for operational materials and consumables, ensuring adequate stock availability while minimizing excess inventory.

• Generate and maintain procurement reports, including spend analysis, supplier performance metrics, purchasing activities, and cost-saving initiatives.

• Work closely with Finance, Operations, Quality, Facilities, and other cross-functional teams to support procurement planning and business objectives.

• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and internal controls.

• Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes to enhance efficiency, supplier performance, and overall operational effectiveness.

• Provide timely communication and support to internal stakeholders and external suppliers regarding procurement activities, order status, and supply-related issues.

• Coordinate with global suppliers and internal teams (e.g., US and APAC operations) to align procurement and delivery schedules.

• Support cross-border material transfers between manufacturing sites and partners (e.g., CDMO facilities).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supply chain management, or a related role, preferably within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or CDMO industries.

• Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, and strategic sourcing principles.

• Experience with ERP systems, purchasing databases, and procurement reporting tools.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimization.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external suppliers.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.

• Experience with international procurement, import/export operations, or global supply chain coordination is highly preferred.

• Familiarity with Incoterms, customs procedures, and international logistics practices.

• Experience supporting GMP/GDP-regulated supply chain operations is strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of inventory management, spend analysis, supplier performance management, and procurement compliance requirements is highly desirable.