Head of Direct Procurement, Integrated Biologics, Advanced Synthesis and Specialized Modalities

About this role

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people.

In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

We are looking for Head of Direct Procurement, Integrated Biologics, Advanced Synthesis and Specialized Modalities. The Head of Direct Procurement leads the global Direct Procurement for Integrated Biologics, Advanced Synthesis and Specialized Modalities. The role is accountable for optimizing approximately CHF 1.3 billion in annual Direct Spend, ensuring supply reliability for critical raw materials, reducing total cost of ownership, strengthening supplier performance and driving efficient, compliant ways of working across Platforms.

Scope: The role manages global raw material category teams and leads approximately 30 procurement professionals globally. It partners closely with Platform and business leadership, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance and other key stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business priorities, regulatory expectations and operational requirements. Key Responsibilities : Strategy and business alignment Define and execute the global Direct Procurement strategy Direct Pin alignment with Group strategy, Platform priorities and business objectives, securing buy-in from senior stakeholders.

Serve as an active member of the Procurement leadership team and contribute to the development of the broader Procurement function. Clarify business requirements, drive proactive stakeholder communication and support decision-making to ensure procurement strategies are fully aligned and executable. People leadership: Directly manage and develop a global team of approximately 30 procurement professionals, building high-performing teams and ensuring delivery against functional and business objectives.

Transformation and ways of working Drive change management , strengthen global category management, supplier performance, supply reliability and efficient ways of working across Direct Procurement. Act as the primary Procurement interface for senior business leaders and Platforms. Influence business stakeholders and Platforms to ensure early and effective Procurement involvement in decisions related to direct materials, raw material categories and supply continuity.

Build cohesive, high-performing teams with clear priorities, strong accountability and a continuous improvement mindset. Engage, coach and develop team members to strengthen capability, succession and long-term talent development. Develop and implement retention actions where required to maintain continuity and critical procurement expertise.

Performance and value delivery: Set and deliver annual targets for savings, quality, delivery performance, supply resilience and execution efficiency. Category and supplier management: Develop and execute category strategies for relevant raw material and Direct Procurement categories. Develop and maintain deep market, supplier and risk intelligence across relevant sourcing markets.

Lead supplier selection, negotiation, contracting and supplier management strategies to secure competitive, reliable and compliant supply. Lead supplier relationship management and supplier development activities to ensure reliable, high-quality supply and long-term supplier performance. Governance, compliance and process excellence: Implement Procurement best practices across Platforms, including procurement processes, policies and governance standards.

Ensure compliance with global Procurement policies, including supplier selection, onboarding, payment terms, data management and related governance requirements. Ensure effective implementation and adoption of Procurement tools and systems across Platforms, monitoring compliance and process adherence. Identify continuous improvement opportunities and collaborate with the global P2P owner to integrate improvements into global procurement processes.

Key requirements: Extensive and progressive senior Procurement leadership experience, including leading global teams across different hierarchical levels in an international environment. Strong Global Procurement experience, preferably with exposure to direct materials, raw material categories, life sciences, pharmaceutical, CDMO or regulated manufacturing environments. Demonstrated experience leading transformation and change management within global Global Procurement functions.

Outstanding negotiation and supplier management skills, with experience engaging global and regional suppliers to improve cost, quality, delivery performance and supply resilience. Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to motivate teams, drive results and operate effectively in matrix-based, cross-functional environments. Able to adapt to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Ability to prioritize effectively and execute in a fast-paced, complex global environment. Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility.

How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.