Procurement & Purchasing Manager

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to use procurement as a lever for transformation, sustainability and AI-driven innovation? In this role, you will help shape how we source and partner with suppliers so our medicines reach patients faster and more efficiently. Your work will translate directly into better decision-making, stronger supplier performance and measurable value across the business.

You will join a global, fast-moving procurement community where ideas travel quickly and initiative is encouraged. From coordinating governance forums that steer strategy to piloting practical AI use cases with suppliers, you will enable smarter ways of working while building your own expertise. Can you see yourself owning meaningful categories and turning data into decisions that matter?

Typical Accountabilities:

• Strategic Projects and Transformation: Support high-impact procurement initiatives that streamline operations, enhance governance and improve stakeholder experience, turning plans and milestones into delivered outcomes.
• Digital and AI Enablement: Identify and trial AI and digital tools that improve data analysis, internal efficiency and decision quality; assess how suppliers use AI to unlock innovation and business benefits.
• Sustainability Delivery: Coordinate sustainability commitments, KPIs and improvement actions with suppliers and internal partners, ensuring progress is tracked and reported.
• Category Ownership (Level 4): Manage selected spend categories end to end under the coaching of a Category Manager, including spend analysis, market research, sourcing, contracting and supplier performance.
• Supplier and Stakeholder Collaboration: Build productive relationships to resolve issues quickly, drive continuous improvement and deliver agreed value and risk mitigation.
• Governance and BRM Coordination: Own the planning and delivery of Business Review Meetings, including calendar, agendas, materials and follow-up; maintain clear ownership of decisions, actions and deadlines.
• Reporting and Insight: Maintain dashboards and trackers for transformation, category activity, sustainability and supplier engagement; translate data into insights that guide decisions and demonstrate value.
• Progressive Impact: Start by delivering defined workstreams with precision, then expand your scope to shape category plans, influence stakeholders and scale successful pilots across regions.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Degree level or equivalent qualifications and professional experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Purchasing or Supplier Management.
• Experience supporting indirect spend categories; previous Professional Services category experience is not required.
• Understanding of procurement processes, sourcing methodologies, contracting and supplier management practices.
• Experience coordinating projects or workstreams, with the ability to manage milestones, dependencies, risks and actions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication, presentation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Curiosity and strong interest in Artificial Intelligence, digital innovation, transformation and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a global, cross-functional and matrix environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, and confidence working with data and reporting tools.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Exposure to procurement transformation, process improvement or change initiatives.
• Knowledge of sustainability, responsible procurement or supplier sustainability programmes.
• Experience with procurement systems, digital tools or analytics platforms.
• Experience supporting category management activities across one or more indirect spend categories.
• Experience working in a multinational or regulated environment.
• Project management, procurement or change-management training or certification.

Why AstraZeneca?

Here, Procurement sits close to the science and the business, connecting diverse teams to deliver the goods and services that power our medicines. You will be trusted to steer your work, speak up with new ideas and test better ways of doing things, supported by advanced tools and collaborative partners who value kindness alongside ambition.

Picture unexpected teams in the same room unleashing bold thinking—commercial, legal, sustainability and digital—so your contribution has visible impact on cost, speed and quality for patients worldwide. As our footprint grows, so does your opportunity to learn quickly, take accountability and shape how we influence our markets and suppliers for the better.

Call to Action:

If you are ready to turn curiosity and initiative into real-world impact, step forward and make your mark on how we source, partner and deliver value for patients and the business.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.