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Position Summary:

The Strategic R&D Sourcing function serves Otsuka’s R&D business units by developing and executing sourcing strategy to meet corporate objectives and to improve Otsuka’s probability of success. Partnering with business units and beginning with applicable business cases, concise specifications and well-planned negotiations, Strategic R&D Sourcing strives to maximize contract value while maintaining strict quality standards.

The Senior Director role is responsible for setting the vision, strategic direction, expectations, contractual governance, annual and long-term objectives for R&D sourcing. Additionally, the Senior Director of Strategic R&D Sourcing partners with global affiliates and key stakeholders (e.g., business leaders) to execute global sourcing strategy, with the remit to achieve ongoing year over year improvements & reduce Otsuka’s cost of doing business while maintaining/improving quality and adherence to regulatory guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

+ **Strategic Oversight:**

+ Develop and lead the global clinical outsourcing strategy in alignment with organizational clinical development goals.

+ Develop operating metrics and reports that provides Otsuka Senior Leadership with visibility into portfolio performance.

+ Partner with senior leadership in key R&D functions (Clinical Management, Data Management, Global Pharmacovigilance, Regulatory Affairs, Asset Management), and Shared Services (Finance, Legal, and Procurement) to develop outsourcing models that support key business objectives.

+ Focus on challenging the status quo to establish new ways of working faster and smarter, while delivering higher quality, increasing value and minimizing risk.

+ Collaborate and share best practices with Finance/Procurement colleagues to continuously improve costing and sourcing models to increase Otsuka’s probability of operational and financial success.

+ **Vendor Selection & Management:**

+ Lead the RFI/RFP processes, vendor evaluation, bid analysis, and contract negotiations for outsourced clinical services.

+ In partnership with the Vendor Management Office (VMO) and key business partners, manage relationships with preferred CROs and specialty vendors, ensuring service levels and performance standards are met.

+ Ensure the R&D supply chain continues to drive innovation and provides a high level of relevant subject matter expertise

+ Develop and execute against a best-in-class contracting strategy that ensures industry competitive commercial constructs & rates with preferred vendor contracts

+ **Contracting & Budgeting:**

+ Oversee development and negotiation of Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Work Orders (WOs), and Change Orders (COs).

+ Ensure transparency in clinical budgeting; track actuals vs. forecasts in collaboration with Finance and key functional partners (Clinical Management, Regulatory Affairs, Global Quality, Data Management, Global Pharmacovigilance etc.)

+ Provide oversight of payment schedules and milestone tracking.

+ **Compliance & Risk Management:**

+ Ensure outsourcing activities comply with GCP, ICH guidelines, company SOPs, and all applicable regulations.

+ Identify outsourcing risks and develop mitigation strategies.

+ **Leadership:**

+ Ensure operating model is appropriately structured to support business demand, including oversight of resource allocation and team performance

+ Leads, teaches, coaches and directs Category/Sourcing professionals throughout the sourcing processes as well as key processes/skills (i.e., spend management analysis, stakeholder management, collaboration, process improvement, etc.).

+ Support the roll out of key end to end enablement tools/systems, processes, and templates that will improve the buying channel experience.

+ Responsible for the delivery of operations and general portfolio execution

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, Education, and Experience** **​

+ Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Business, or related field (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).

+ Minimum 12–15 years of relevant experience in clinical outsourcing, procurement, or vendor management within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.

+ Strong understanding of clinical trial processes, CRO operations, and regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA, ICH-GCP).

+ Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation and vendor performance management.

+ Excellent project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

+ Proven ability to lead teams and drive cross-functional collaboration.

+ Advanced analytic skills and general understanding of the drug development and regulatory process.

+ Familiarity with standard tools and databases for sourcing in industry

+ Successful track record of leadership and timely delivery of business deliverables.

+ Strong communication, interpersonal, networking and alliance management skills; possessing the ability to credibly, knowledgeably and effectively represent and communicate initiatives to internal and external KOLs/stakeholders, various stakeholders in the medical/healthcare community, Otsuka’s partners and R&D leaders.

+ Ability to work effectively in a matrixed, multi-cultural, collaborative and self-directed environment.

Competencies

**Accountability for Results -** Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.

**Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving -** Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.

**Patient & Customer Centricity -** Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.

**Impactful Communication -** Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.

**Respectful Collaboration -** Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.

**Empowered Development -** Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka .

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request ([email protected]) .

Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams

At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.

Please understand, Otsuka will **never** ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.

Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.

To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External .

Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov , or your local authorities.

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.