About the Department
Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.
The Position
The Associate Procurement Manager position sits within the US R&D Procurement team and supports activities across major procurement categories in accordance with the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with R&D Leadership. The role has a particular focus on indirect procurement categories, especially R&D Indirect categories such as laboratory equipment, services and consumables. The role owns assigned procurement initiatives end to end and drives value by applying strong procurement capabilities, sound commercial judgment and effective stakeholder partnership to deliver business outcomes. The Associate Procurement Manager is expected to independently lead assigned procurement activities from initial business need and sourcing strategy through RFx, supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, implementation and benefits tracking. The role drives and executes a pipeline of procurement initiatives in close collaboration with stakeholders and coordinates with the global procurement organization to determine when initiatives should be managed locally or supported through global category resources and contracts. The position is accountable for compliant execution and strong project delivery. Ongoing strategic supplier relationship management is a limited part of the role and will generally remain with more senior procurement or category leads, while the Associate Procurement Manager manages supplier engagement required to deliver assigned sourcing initiatives and contracts.
Relationship
The position reports to the Director of Procurement and interacts with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. The role independently partners with business stakeholders and project teams across the organization, including senior stakeholders where relevant and collaborates with subject matter experts, legal, finance, global category teams and suppliers to deliver assigned initiatives end to end.
Essential Functions
- Own assigned procurement projects end to end, from intake and scoping through sourcing strategy, RFx, evaluation, negotiation, contracting, implementation and value realization. The number and complexity of projects may vary and the role is accountable for all procurement deliverables within the agreed scope
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with US R&D stakeholders and project teams through regular communication, credible advice and effective collaboration
- Develop and maintain an annual pipeline of procurement initiatives by evaluating spend, demand, supplier and market trends; identifying value opportunities; and making fact-based recommendations for future initiatives
- Project-manage sourcing activities in collaboration with business stakeholders, including RFx development and execution, supplier communication, evaluation design, bid analysis, recommendation development, decision documentation and implementation planning
- Define and implement sourcing strategies for assigned initiatives across global and local categories, balancing cost, demand, quality, sustainability, delivery, risk and supplier considerations. Ensure alignment with relevant global category strategies and initiatives
- Perform market research to support category strategies and/or sourcing activities, with the ability to translate data into actionable plans
- Manage stakeholder needs and expectations throughout the full procurement process to secure project success and deliver best-practice procurement support in relation to quality, sustainability, delivery, risk, service and cost
- Ensure that procurement compliance requirements are communicated to stakeholders, including leadership and that procurement deliverables are executed in accordance with the agreed governance model and requirements
- Flag compliance issues to the Director of Procurement and LoB leadership when issues are identified
- Be responsible for stakeholder communication by effectively and assertively communicating procurement needs to the project, while ensuring the project receives high-quality support
- Apply best practices across core procurement disciplines, including sourcing, negotiation, spend analysis, contracting, implementation and benefits tracking. Manage supplier interactions needed for assigned initiatives, while ongoing strategic supplier relationship management is led by senior procurement or category owners
Physical Requirements
Ability to travel occasionally (0-10%) – both internationally (our headquarters are in Denmark) and domestically in the U.S.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and 2+ years of experience required. Equivalent experience requirements for advanced degrees would be a Master's degree and 0+ years of experience
- BS degree in a finance or science discipline. MBA or Master’s degree in Procurement, Finance, Supply Chain, or other relevant areas preferred
- Experience in R&D in the pharmaceutical industry is strongly preferred
- Ideally, the role requires experience as a procurement manager for major R&D categories, but this is not an requirement
- Strong procurement toolbox is required
- The ability to navigate big organizations and understand how major investment decisions are taken is essential. Preferably, knowledge of the current IPG global structure in Novo Nordisk is advantageous
- Strong strategic and analytical skills are required
- The role demands strong cross-functional stakeholder skills, allowing for influence through behaviour, building relationships and trust, as well as obtaining commitment from both internal and external stakeholders
- The willingness and courage to influence and challenge project stakeholders' thinking on key procurement issues is necessary
- The role requires a self-driven, analytically strong individual with a strategic and international mindset
- Curiosity and an interest in understanding the value chain in a large organization, along with excellent communication and presentation skills
The base compensation range for this position is $[ ] to $[ ]. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors.
Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy and parental leave policy.
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.
Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.
If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
