Senior Strategic Buyer
Our client is a leading global biotechnology company with operations across Europe, North America, and Asia. Known for scientific excellence, innovation, and a strong pipeline of products, the organisation plays a key role in advancing next‑generation therapies and bio-manufacturing solutions. To support its international expansion and increasingly complex global supply network, the company is seeking a Senior Strategic Buyer to join its procurement organisation in Toulouse.
The Senior Strategic Buyer will drive procurement strategy across global categories, ensuring robust supplier partnerships, cost optimisation, risk mitigation, and continuity of supply across international operations.
This role is ideal for an experienced procurement leader who thrives in a global matrix environment and can align sourcing decisions with strategic business priorities across multiple geographies.
Key Responsibilities
Global Strategic Procurement & Category Leadership
- Develop and deploy global category strategies across key biotech-related direct and indirect spending areas (raw materials, lab consumables, specialised equipment, outsourced R&D/manufacturing services, etc.).
- Leverage global market intelligence to benchmark suppliers, analyse trends, and identify new strategic opportunities worldwide.
- Contribute to long-term category roadmaps aligned with corporate strategy and global supply chain needs.
Supplier Strategy & Relationship Management
- Lead global supplier evaluations, qualification, and contract negotiations, ensuring optimal quality, cost, and performance.
- Build strong, long-term partnerships with key international suppliers, driving innovation and continuous improvement.
- Negotiate complex global contracts, including multi-year agreements, risk-sharing models, and scalable supply frameworks.
Risk Management & Compliance
- Ensure suppliers meet all regulatory, quality, and compliance requirements across multiple markets (e.g., GMP, ISO standards).
- Evaluate supply chain vulnerabilities and implement robust mitigation and contingency plans.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs to support audits and maintain supplier compliance globally.
Cross‑Functional & Cross‑Border Collaboration
- Partner with R&D, global manufacturing sites, engineering, finance, and supply chain teams to anticipate global needs.
- Support new product introductions and global manufacturing scale-up with strategic sourcing insights.
- Contribute to international procurement initiatives, harmonising processes and driving best practices across the global network.
Operational & Analytical Excellence
- Analyse expenditure data and supplier performance across regions to optimise total cost of ownership.
- Support digital procurement initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
- Prepare dashboards, business cases, and strategic recommendations for senior leadership.
Qualifications & Experience
Required
- 5-8+ years of procurement/sourcing experience, ideally within biotech, pharmaceuticals, or another regulated life sciences environment.
- Strong experience in global sourcing, supplier negotiation, and category management.
- Ability to thrive in a multicultural, matrix organisation with international stakeholders.
- Fluency in French and strong proficiency in English (spoken and written).
Preferred
- Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Life Sciences, or related field.
- Experience coordinating procurement activities across multiple countries.
- Knowledge of GMP-regulated environments and quality‑controlled supply chains.
- Experience with global ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.).
Key Competencies
- Strategic and analytical thinker with strong business acumen.
- Exceptional negotiation skills and ability to manage complex, high‑value contracts.
- Strong relationship‑building capabilities across cultures and functions.
- Proactive, organised, and comfortable navigating complexity.
- Results-driven with a continuous improvement mindset.
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your CV so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with CV and interview preparation. From customised support on how to optimise your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.