Head of Vendor Management

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Head of Vendor Management / Associate Director based in Italy. Take the lead in shaping vendor management and strategic outsourcing within an international pharmaceutical and life sciences environment. In this senior role, you will develop a centralized vendor strategy, strengthen supplier partnerships, and ensure external services meet rigorous quality, compliance, and performance standards. You will oversee the complete vendor lifecycle, from sourcing and qualification to contract negotiations, governance, and ongoing performance management. Working across commercial, operational, financial, legal, and quality teams, you will drive cost optimization, mitigate risks, and improve operational efficiency. You will also lead continuous improvement initiatives, implement scalable processes, and support the development of a high-performing vendor management function. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to patient safety while building trusted partnerships across a growing international business. Accountabilities Lead and develop the Vendor Management and Commercial Outsourcing function, establishing a strategic, centralized approach to supplier relationships, procurement, and outsourced service delivery. Partner with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to align vendor capabilities with business objectives while maintaining high standards of quality, compliance, financial performance, and operational excellence.
* Develop and implement a centralized vendor management and procurement strategy across business units, aligned with organizational priorities and long-term growth.
* Build and maintain strategic vendor partnerships that support business objectives, service quality, and reliable delivery.
* Contribute to senior management discussions, strategic planning, and decisions concerning outsourcing and external service providers.
* Serve as the senior escalation point for vendor disputes, performance concerns, and other supplier-related issues.
* Oversee the full vendor lifecycle, including sourcing, qualification, evaluation, onboarding, performance management, governance, and offboarding.
* Maintain comprehensive oversight of approved, preferred, and prospective vendors, ensuring the supplier network remains appropriate for current and future business needs.
* Establish scalable vendor qualification and onboarding processes in collaboration with Quality Assurance and other relevant stakeholders.
* Monitor vendor capacity and ensure supplier capabilities align with forecast business requirements.
* Conduct market assessments to identify alternative suppliers, emerging capabilities, competitive pricing, and opportunities to strengthen the vendor network.
* Establish and maintain vendor governance frameworks, key performance indicators, service metrics, and quality standards.
* Ensure vendor documentation, contractual agreements, and qualification records remain compliant, accurate, and audit‑ready.
* Identify and mitigate third‑party risks while supporting business continuity planning and the resilience of outsourced services.
* Collaborate with Legal, Quality, and Contract Management teams to manage vendor agreements and maintain contractual compliance.
* Lead commercial negotiations and develop vendor pricing strategies that support value, quality, and cost efficiency.
* Drive cost optimization across third‑party expenditure categories while maintaining service standards and business continuity.
* Monitor vendor spending and provide financial reporting to support budgeting, forecasting, expenditure management, and financial control.
* Evaluate opportunities for outsourcing, insourcing, vendor consolidation, automation, and technology adoption.
* Lead continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen vendor management processes, transparency, scalability, and operational effectiveness.
* Support the implementation of vendor management systems, process automation, and other technology solutions.
* Contribute to proposals, pricing submissions, and client‑facing commercial discussions when required.
* Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to develop team capabilities and promote consistent vendor management practices.
* Build strong working relationships across Commercial, Technical Operations, Quality Assurance, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, and Project Management teams to ensure effective supplier performance and alignment. Requirements You bring significant experience in vendor management, procurement, strategic sourcing, outsourcing, or partnership management within pharmaceutical, life sciences, clinical research, or similarly regulated environments. You combine commercial expertise with a strong understanding of supplier governance, risk management, and compliance. You are comfortable negotiating complex contracts, influencing senior stakeholder