Relationship manager

This role is acting as the ‘custodian of value’ for the allocated externally supplied finished dosage forms portfolio, driving supplier strategy, managing contracts and costs and strengthening relationships to improve performance and deliver in line with Zentiva’s business plan.
This role proactively oversees a portfolio of specific suppliers and products, supporting transversal topics related to supplier management and contracting. It is responsible for supplier performance, associated contracting and procurement activities with defined objectives to add value and minimize supply risk.
Build rapport and mutually beneficial partnerships with allocated supplier base, manage contracts and deliver joint value improvements:

Provide dedicated supplier management and cost ownership for related product portfolio, leading performance reviews and identifying opportunities and risks for top tier suppliers to drive performance and reliable, high quality, cost-efficient supply
Manage contract creation and amendments, maintaining accurate pricing, payment, and reconciliation data for allocated portfolio to support ESO team and wider Zentiva
Set supplier performance goals and structure value creation plan including managing execution of cost improvements and pipeline opportunities, tracking and reporting and bringing clarity to improvement delivery versus targets including:
Periodically review spend, cost improvement and fit of terms with business need, tracking and reporting progress versus targets (pricing, cost structures, NWC and MoQs for existing, new launch/new sourcing opportunities and technical development projects)
Prepare and drive pricing & contract negotiations to achieve targets, keep internal system/s up-to-date in line with outcomes of negotiations
Identify technical project opportunities (cost improvement) with suppliers and validate with tech projects experts, and negotiate any cost impacts
Lead virtual cross-functional teams, providing guidance and support to prepare for supplier discussions, increase awareness of supplier opportunities and risks and support the virtual team to resolve escalations that can occur from complex service/ regulatory/ quality/ technical issues, challenges or interruptions, securing product availability and business continuity
Prepare and lead Business Review Meetings with suppliers in a standardized format, covering all areas of collaboration and involving internal teams as needed
Lead strategic management for allocated portfolio including supplier categorization, segmentation and consolidation, developing preferred partners who can support Zentiva’s growth plans or exit plans for those who cannot
proactive sharing of results with allocated suppliers, identify areas of deficiencies and align steps for continuous improvement of supplier performance in all areas of collaboration
Work collaboratively with the Product Strategy and Business Development teams to support sourcing and instigate supplier risk management approaches including performing RFI, RFP, RFQ and contract management and proposal analysis
Support budgeting cycle and COG standard setting, lead adhoc cross functional projects and business cases linked to allocated portfolio
Support the ESO team and wider Zentiva business to identify and address opportunities and risks outside of immediate area of control
Communicate and align business objectives, collaborating with critical stakeholders (Supply chain, CommOps, Launch management, Sourcing & Manufacturing Strategy, Quality, Regulatory, IP, Finance, Development, etc.) to plan and to consolidate business needs
Required Qualifications, Experience & Skills
~ Bachelor Degree/Masters in Business/Science/Engineering field of study
~7+ years’ experience working in a supplier facing role (Procurement, Supplier Relationship Management or in the fields of supply chain, quality, regulatory or R&D) in the pharmaceutical sector
~ Strong network within the pharmaceutical industry will be considered an advantage
~ Familiar with GMP manufacturing requirements
~ Solid understanding of financial drivers and processes of pharma manufacturing with exposure to Supply Chain concepts and practices
~ Proven negotiation skills in Drug Product Contract Manufacturing, API, Contract Testing areas
~ Experience in risk management processes
~ Ability to negotiate and manage contracts
~ Strong project leadership and Relationship building skills
~ Detail-oriented, proactive, well organized and able to work under pressure
~ English: Fluent, Other languages are an advantage

To be considered for this role, please apply in our Applicant tracking system and refrain from sending your CV via email. Upon the completion of sourcing (CV collection) period, all received application will be reviewed by our Recruitment experts and evaluated against the needs of