Global Head of Procurement Strategy and Operational

**Global Head of Procurement Strategy and Operational Excellence**

**Locations: Portugal, Poland, Sweden, UK and US (other locations could be considered)**

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An expansive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.

Join us as the Global Head of Procurement Strategy and Operational Excellence, a key member of our Global Procurement Leadership Team (PLT). Reporting directly to the Chief Procurement Officer, you will lead a global team of approximately 180 colleagues. This role combines three separate areas: Procurement Insights and Technology, Procurement Strategy and Operational Excellence (S&OE), and Global Procurement Services, into one integrated Global Procurement engine. Your team will be responsible for providing integrated procurement solutions across the Global Procurement function.

One of the main responsibilities is to own and guard the implementation of Procurement End to End processes, tools, ESG (environmental, social and governance) and the people capability strategy.

**Accountabilities**:

- Support the CPO in creation of the functional vision, strategy and operational plan, maximizing contribution to AZ strategic objectives as well as best in class procurement performance.
- Provide strategic input and external perspectives into the thinking and decision making of PLT, AstraZeneca’s senior leadership, executive and management teams.
- Organizes SO&E function in such a way that ensures smooth execution of departmental strategy, aligned with the AZ business objectives.
- Continuously collaborate across procurement areas and with stakeholders to develop and implement lean, standardized and integrated procurement and procurement related processes in line with overall procurement vision. Ensure that processes are efficient, effective, customer focused and enable procurement teams to deliver strategic objectives. Responsibility for guarding implementation throughout the function, and executing within Sourcing and Contracting operations.
- Develop and lead implementation of procurement digital strategy to support the lean operating model, ensures profitability and return on investment, enables users, maximizes experience for internal customers and fosters innovation and collaboration.
- Drive compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and regulations. Oversees that procurement processes and standards are in compliance with other internal and external processes. Resolves any compliance issues in a timely manner.
- Lead the development and maintenance of procurement analytics, dashboards, and reporting tools. Provide data-driven insights to support strategic decision-making in procurement.
- Continuously analyze market trends, supplier performance, and cost structures to identify risks and opportunities for improvement and implement risk mitigation strategies.
- Responsible for effective and credible communications of AstraZeneca’s broader strategy throughout the function.
- Accountable for the development and facilitating execution of a comprehensive learning and development program for the procurement team. Identify training needs, design curriculum, and ensure skill development among procurement professionals. Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the procurement department.
- Lead and mentor a diverse team of procurement professionals, providing guidance and support. Set clear goals and objectives, monitor performance, and facilitate professional growth. Promote collaboration and teamwork to achieve departmental and organizational goals.

**Essential skills & experience**:

- Bachelor degree/Professional Business Qualification or equivalent experience
- Extensive experience in Procurement in a senior leadership role in a complex, multinational organization
- Experience leading a Procurement center of excellence and procurement operations
- Excellent knowledge of Source to Pay processes and systems, procurement regulations, compliance requirements, and ethical sourcing practices
- Proficiency in data analytics tools and system solutions
- Proven success leading complex cross functional projects in direct collaboration with top management
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
- Distinctive conceptual thinking, with ability to combine: Innovative / creative and structured/analytic problem solving approaches and objective, independent, and fact-based perspective.
- Ability to motivate and develop highly effective teams, lead and empower others to accomplish individual, team and organizational objectives
- Ability to influence strategically and persuade tactfully, to obtain desired outcomes while maintaining effective, positive, o