Job Description
Director of Procurement
Reports to Global Head of Procurement & Sourcing
Position Summary:
The Director of Procurement is responsible for leading and managing the strategic sourcing activities within the Commercial function as well as establishing and implementing an integrated sourcing model within the department. This role requires close collaboration with internal and external partners to optimize the strategic sourcing process, supporting the company's growth and dynamic needs.
Job Responsibilities:
Strategic Relationship Management and Collaboration:
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key business partners to provide strategic sourcing support.
- Work collaboratively to define operating efficiencies and cost-saving initiatives. Promote the use of strategic sourcing techniques across the business to deliver cost savings.
Global Sourcing Strategy and Execution:
- Manage the development, implementation, and alignment of ALKS global sourcing strategies in conjunction with other site procurement leaders.
- Execute sourcing plans, including RFx development, negotiations, contracting, and supplier relationship management for key strategic suppliers.
- Develop and execute procurement strategies for Commercial Categories
- Work with key business stakeholders to understand commercial needs, identifying cost-saving opportunities while ensuring service quality and risk mitigation.
- Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, ensuring alignment with the company’s overall procurement strategy and objectives.
- Oversee procurement of Commercial Categories, including print, fleet, creative agencies, media, patient services & data & analytics.
- Collaborate with Commercial teams to manage contracts for the Commercial Categories, ensuring cost efficiency and compliance.
Commercial Procurement:
Contract Negotiation & Management:
- Lead negotiations for complex service agreements, ensuring terms are favorable, legally sound, and aligned with business goals.
- Manage contract lifecycle processes, including renewals, amendments, and terminations.
- Ensure contracts meet regulatory and compliance requirements, managing any risks associated with the company’s operations and facilities.
Sustainable Procurement & ESG Initiatives:
- Incorporate sustainability and ESG considerations into procurement strategies, ensuring alignment with the company’s environmental and social goals.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Support Head of Procurement and GPLT to implement and drive consistent methodology for category strategies and implement category councils. Work closely with internal stakeholders across HR, IT, Legal, Finance, and Facilities teams to build the proper governance for category councils and to ensure procurement strategies are approved by stakeholders and aligned with corporate objectives and operational needs.
- Serve as a strategic partner to internal business units, providing guidance and support in vendor selection and contract negotiations.
- Lead cross-functional teams to deliver procurement projects on time and within budget, driving stakeholder engagement and support.
Process Improvement & Governance:
- Establish procurement processes and governance frameworks for Commercial, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Identify opportunities for process optimization, cost savings, and operational efficiency.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging technology and analytics to enhance procurement outcomes.
Supplier Network and Performance Optimization:
- Develop supplier network capabilities for key spend categories to achieve broad business objectives, including total cost optimization.
- Continually assess spend and proactively develop actions to identify cost reductions, improve supplier performance, and ensure business segment compliance with the use of preferred suppliers.
- Lead the supplier/contractor qualification process, including reviewing requisite experience, legal and organizational structure, financial viability, geographic coverage, insurance requirements, and other capabilities.
Cost Savings and Financial Impact:
- Develop annual cost savings programs and implement business strategies that directly impact company financial results and growth plans.
- Assist with the preparation of budgets.
Professional Development and Team Management:
- Maintain and enhance job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, using professional publications, aligning with professional organizations/societies, maintaining personal networks, and monitoring financial guidelines and requirements.
- Manage direct reports, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or business required, Master’s degree preferred.
- 10-15 years of experience in procurement and sourcing within the pharmaceutical or related industry.
- Demonstrated track record of delivering tangible results in a global, complex, and regulated environment.
- Extensive experience managing cross-functional teams and working on multiple projects simultaneously.
- General knowledge of GMP and/or GCP, ensuring compliance in all sourcing activities.
- Demonstrated capabilities with ERP systems such as Oracle or SAP, as well as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Project software.
Competencies:
- Leadership and Innovation: Demonstrates strong leadership with an ability to stimulate creativity and innovation, supporting change and promoting a global perspective.
- Project Management: Strong project management and operations skills with high attention to detail.
- Communication and Influence: Excellent communication, influencing, and collaboration skills, with the ability to lead through influence and drive business results.
- Adaptability and Problem Solving: Flexibility in adapting to external environment influences and problem-solving within a matrixed global environment.
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $182,000 to $205,000. In addition, this position is eligible for an annual performance pay bonus. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, training, knowledge, and experience. Alkermes offers a competitive benefits package. Additional details can be found on our careers website: www.alkermes.com/careers#working-here
#LI-RS1
#LI-Hybrid
About Us
Why join Team Alkermes?
Alkermes applies its decades of deep neuroscience expertise to develop medicines designed to help people living with complex and difficult-to-treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. A global biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in Ireland with U.S. locations in Massachusetts and Ohio, we seek to make a meaningful difference in the way people manage their diseases. We have a portfolio of proprietary commercial products for the treatment of alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder and narcolepsy, and a pipeline of clinical and preclinical candidates in development for various psychiatric and neurological disorders.
We are proud to have been recognized as an employer of choice by many national organizations. In 2024 and 2025, we were certified as a Great Place to Work in the U.S. and named one of Massachusetts’ Top Places to Work by the Boston Globe, a Best Place to Work in Greater Cincinnati by the Cincinnati Business Courier and recognized as a Best Place to Work in BioPharma by Fortune Magazine.
Alkermes, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any qualified applicant or employee because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Alkermes also complies with all work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Alkermes is an E-Verify employer.
VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
We request Priority Protected Veteran & Disabled Referrals for all of our locations within the state.
Director of Procurement
Reports to Global Head of Procurement & Sourcing
Position Summary:
The Director of Procurement is responsible for leading and managing the strategic sourcing activities within the Commercial function as well as establishing and implementing an integrated sourcing model within the department. This role requires close collaboration with internal and external partners to optimize the strategic sourcing process, supporting the company's growth and dynamic needs.
Job Responsibilities:
Strategic Relationship Management and Collaboration:
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key business partners to provide strategic sourcing support.
- Work collaboratively to define operating efficiencies and cost-saving initiatives. Promote the use of strategic sourcing techniques across the business to deliver cost savings.
Global Sourcing Strategy and Execution:
- Manage the development, implementation, and alignment of ALKS global sourcing strategies in conjunction with other site procurement leaders.
- Execute sourcing plans, including RFx development, negotiations, contracting, and supplier relationship management for key strategic suppliers.
- Develop and execute procurement strategies for Commercial Categories
- Work with key business stakeholders to understand commercial needs, identifying cost-saving opportunities while ensuring service quality and risk mitigation.
- Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, ensuring alignment with the company’s overall procurement strategy and objectives.
- Oversee procurement of Commercial Categories, including print, fleet, creative agencies, media, patient services & data & analytics.
- Collaborate with Commercial teams to manage contracts for the Commercial Categories, ensuring cost efficiency and compliance.
Commercial Procurement:
Contract Negotiation & Management:
- Lead negotiations for complex service agreements, ensuring terms are favorable, legally sound, and aligned with business goals.
- Manage contract lifecycle processes, including renewals, amendments, and terminations.
- Ensure contracts meet regulatory and compliance requirements, managing any risks associated with the company’s operations and facilities.
Sustainable Procurement & ESG Initiatives:
- Incorporate sustainability and ESG considerations into procurement strategies, ensuring alignment with the company’s environmental and social goals.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Support Head of Procurement and GPLT to implement and drive consistent methodology for category strategies and implement category councils. Work closely with internal stakeholders across HR, IT, Legal, Finance, and Facilities teams to build the proper governance for category councils and to ensure procurement strategies are approved by stakeholders and aligned with corporate objectives and operational needs.
- Serve as a strategic partner to internal business units, providing guidance and support in vendor selection and contract negotiations.
- Lead cross-functional teams to deliver procurement projects on time and within budget, driving stakeholder engagement and support.
Process Improvement & Governance:
- Establish procurement processes and governance frameworks for Commercial, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Identify opportunities for process optimization, cost savings, and operational efficiency.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging technology and analytics to enhance procurement outcomes.
Supplier Network and Performance Optimization:
- Develop supplier network capabilities for key spend categories to achieve broad business objectives, including total cost optimization.
- Continually assess spend and proactively develop actions to identify cost reductions, improve supplier performance, and ensure business segment compliance with the use of preferred suppliers.
- Lead the supplier/contractor qualification process, including reviewing requisite experience, legal and organizational structure, financial viability, geographic coverage, insurance requirements, and other capabilities.
Cost Savings and Financial Impact:
- Develop annual cost savings programs and implement business strategies that directly impact company financial results and growth plans.
- Assist with the preparation of budgets.
Professional Development and Team Management:
- Maintain and enhance job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, using professional publications, aligning with professional organizations/societies, maintaining personal networks, and monitoring financial guidelines and requirements.
- Manage direct reports, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or business required, Master’s degree preferred.
- 10-15 years of experience in procurement and sourcing within the pharmaceutical or related industry.
- Demonstrated track record of delivering tangible results in a global, complex, and regulated environment.
- Extensive experience managing cross-functional teams and working on multiple projects simultaneously.
- General knowledge of GMP and/or GCP, ensuring compliance in all sourcing activities.
- Demonstrated capabilities with ERP systems such as Oracle or SAP, as well as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Project software.
Competencies:
- Leadership and Innovation: Demonstrates strong leadership with an ability to stimulate creativity and innovation, supporting change and promoting a global perspective.
- Project Management: Strong project management and operations skills with high attention to detail.
- Communication and Influence: Excellent communication, influencing, and collaboration skills, with the ability to lead through influence and drive business results.
- Adaptability and Problem Solving: Flexibility in adapting to external environment influences and problem-solving within a matrixed global environment.
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $182,000 to $205,000. In addition, this position is eligible for an annual performance pay bonus. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, training, knowledge, and experience. Alkermes offers a competitive benefits package. Additional details can be found on our careers website: www.alkermes.com/careers#working-here
#LI-RS1
#LI-Hybrid
About Us
Why join Team Alkermes?
Alkermes applies its decades of deep neuroscience expertise to develop medicines designed to help people living with complex and difficult-to-treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. A global biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in Ireland with U.S. locations in Massachusetts and Ohio, we seek to make a meaningful difference in the way people manage their diseases. We have a portfolio of proprietary commercial products for the treatment of alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder and narcolepsy, and a pipeline of clinical and preclinical candidates in development for various psychiatric and neurological disorders.
We are proud to have been recognized as an employer of choice by many national organizations. In 2024 and 2025, we were certified as a Great Place to Work in the U.S. and named one of Massachusetts’ Top Places to Work by the Boston Globe, a Best Place to Work in Greater Cincinnati by the Cincinnati Business Courier and recognized as a Best Place to Work in BioPharma by Fortune Magazine.
Alkermes, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any qualified applicant or employee because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Alkermes also complies with all work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Alkermes is an E-Verify employer.
VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
We request Priority Protected Veteran & Disabled Referrals for all of our locations within the state.
About Alkermes, Inc.
At Alkermes, we apply our deep neuroscience expertise to develop medicines designed to help people living with complex and difficult-to-treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. With our portfolio of marketed medicines and investigational pipeline candidates, we seek to make a meaningful difference in the way people manage their diseases. Our patient-inspired science, integrated research strategy, sophisticated development capabilities and specialized commercial infrastructure enable us to pursue the development and commercialization of innovative new medicines, including those for people with conditions that have traditionally been overlooked or stigmatized.
Our greatest strengths at Alkermes are our people and our inherent empathy for patients, families and caregivers. Neurological and psychiatric disorders strike people at the core of who they are and impact many facets of their lives. We work with urgency to develop new treatment options for people living with these conditions.
Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, we have an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Ohio.