Associate Director, Global R&D Sourcing

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Associate Director, Global R&D Sourcing based in the United States.

This is a strategic sourcing leadership role focused on strengthening the efficiency, value, and quality of global R&D operations. You will shape category strategies across CRO and FSP outsourcing, leveraging market intelligence and external solutions to support business priorities. The role partners closely with R&D stakeholders to identify cost optimization opportunities and translate them into practical, scalable initiatives. You will also manage strategic supplier relationships, oversee performance and governance, and support complex contracting activities. The position offers broad exposure across sourcing, vendor management, digitalization, AI-enabled solutions, and R&D operations. Success will require strong commercial judgment, analytical thinking, stakeholder influence, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex global environment. This is an opportunity to directly contribute to faster, more efficient, and higher-quality R&D delivery through innovative external partnerships.

Accountabilities:: Develop category strategies: Monitor CRO, FSP, external resourcing, digitalization, AI, and broader R&D market trends to identify opportunities and inform sourcing strategies.

Partner with R&D functions: Build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, understand outsourcing needs, and translate business requirements into effective category, vendor, and external resourcing strategies.

Drive cost optimization: Identify savings and value-creation opportunities, develop business cases, and align recommendations with strategic and operational priorities.

Lead sourcing initiatives: Manage category management projects that optimize external spend, strengthen supplier value, and improve sourcing outcomes across R&D.

Provide market and supplier intelligence: Deliver insights on supply markets, vendor capabilities, pricing, and industry developments to support informed business and sourcing decisions.

Manage strategic suppliers: Lead supplier relationship management activities, strengthen partnerships, monitor performance, and ensure external providers deliver against expectations.

Oversee vendor governance: Manage performance reviews, issue escalation and resolution, risk oversight, and governance meetings to maintain supplier quality and maximize partnership value.

Support contracting and negotiations: Oversee key master service agreement and rate card negotiations, ensuring competitive commercial terms and alignment with category objectives.

Drive execution: Partner with business and cross-functional teams to implement sourcing recommendations, track progress, and manage initiatives through completion.

Promote innovation: Evaluate external solutions, including digital and AI-enabled capabilities, that can improve cost efficiency, delivery speed, and quality across R&D.

Maintain compliance and operational discipline: Ensure sourcing and contracting activities are executed effectively, consistently, and in accordance with internal requirements and applicable standards.

Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with 10+ years of related experience, or a master’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.

R&D sourcing expertise: Significant experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, or related functions within an R&D environment, ideally with exposure to CRO and/or FSP outsourcing.

Category management: Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category strategies, assess market dynamics, and optimize external spend and supplier value.

Commercial expertise: Strong experience with supplier negotiations, master service agreements, rate cards, contracting, and commercial strategy.

Vendor management: Proven ability to manage strategic supplier relationships, performance, governance, risk, and issue resolution.

Business partnering: Strong stakeholder-management skills with the ability to influence R&D leaders and cross-functional teams without direct authority.

Analytical capability: Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop business cases and translate data into actionable recommendations.

Project management: Experience leading complex sourcing or transformation initiatives from strategy and planning through implementation.

Innovation mindset: Ability to identify and evaluate external solutions, including digital and AI-enabled capabilities, that can improve R&D efficiency and effectiveness.

Communication: Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly across technical, operational, and executive audiences.

Global collaboration: Comfortable working across functions, geographies, and cultures in a dynamic international environment.

Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and contract management systems.

Core competencies: Demonstrated teamwork, initiative, adaptability, continuous learning, results orientation, financial acumen, analytical thinking, inclusive leadership, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Travel: Limited travel may be required.

Benefits:

Base salary: $141,600–$191,600 annually, with actual compensation determined by experience, qualifications, skills, location, and other applicable factors.

Annual bonus: Eligibility for an annual bonus plan for non-commercial roles.

Equity opportunities: Eligibility for discretionary equity awards and voluntary participation in an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

Retirement: 401(k) plan.

Flexible spending: FSA/HSA options.

Insurance: Life insurance coverage.

Time off: Paid time off.

Wellness: Comprehensive wellness benefits and resources.

Work environment: Remote position within the United States, with limited travel as needed.

Career development: Opportunities to grow expertise and contribute to innovative sourcing, digitalization, and AI-enabled R&D initiatives.

How Jobgether works: We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!  Why Apply Through Jobgether?    Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.     #LI-CL1