The Director Raw Material Strategy is accountable for establishing and executing the raw material strategy across BlueRock.

This includes on one hand the coordination of raw material specific activities to ensure phase appropriate compliance, raw material understanding & control and cost optimization. On the other hand, it encompasses the identification and evaluation of trends and opportunities for innovation and cost optimization of the overall raw material and supplier portfolio.

The Director Raw Material Strategy also acts as process owner for all raw material related processes across BlueRock. The role is responsible for identifying and sharing best practices across programs, functions, and sites.

The role will strongly collaborate with different functions (Quality Assurance, Process Development, Quality Control, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and CMC) optimizing the raw material portfolio and driving execution of key materials related projects.   

Responsibilities:

• Accountable for defining short- and long-term raw material (and supplier) specific strategies, considering:
• Phase appropriate compliance
• Raw material understanding & control
• Cost optimization
• Defines and executes multi-year innovation and cost optimization roadmap for overall raw material portfolio and proactively assesses new ways of working, superior raw materials, and innovative scientific & technical solutions by identifying and onboarding the right suppliers
• Establishes and improves standards for cross-functional raw material processes at BlueRock
• Facilitates Raw Material Review Committee to align specific raw material strategies across functions and programs and ensure their timely implementation, as well as knowledge sharing on raw material related topics
• Responsible for centralizing, documenting, and sharing raw material performance data to allow efficient knowledge sharing across programs and functions
• Actively collaborates in material standardization and collaborates in escalations for most critical material supplies by preparing/revising technical evaluations of alternatives for business-critical materials in concert with SMEs across functions
• Continuously seeks opportunities and new ideas to improve outcomes and increases value of services provided by suppliers and consult regularly with internal and external stakeholders on key industry trends and leading practices to identify technical challenges/opportunities and ideate solutions
• Acts as internal escalation facilitator, bringing line functions including Quality, Procurement, SCM, Research, Analytical, and QA together for assessment and path forward.
• Manages interface towards Bayer for all raw material related topics (incl. opportunities in the areas of cost, compliance, storage, and vendor relations)

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate in sciences – biochemical, chemical or pharmaceutical sciences with higher level degree (MBA, PhD) or similar MBA required.
• 10+ years of relevant business experience in biotech or large corporate organizations (industry specific experience is a plus).
• Strong leadership skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Technical operations, development, product life cycle management, cross-functional leadership, and new supplier qualification skills are a plus
• Expertise in organizational dynamics and culture, ability to gain trust and confidence at all levels in the organization, leadership and project management experience
• Previous experience and strong mindset in continuous improvement and change management with a focus in the Direct materials domain. Needs to be able to work independently and reliably without much direction and guidance. Experience in international, complex and dynamic environments.

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