Global Divestment and Acquisition Director

Introduction to role

At AstraZeneca, every one of our employees makes a difference to patient lives every day. You may not feel you’re at the frontline of research, but your role in changing patients’ lives is critical. Our mission is ambitious, and it takes the skills of a collaborative team to deliver on what science can do and to always put patients first. Working at AstraZeneca, we believe in the potential of our people and our commitment to develop our people beyond what was thought possible.

As the Global Divestment and Acquisition Director, you will be at the forefront of integrating suppliers acquired by AstraZeneca or leading those affected by divestments. You will lead a variety of projects from start to finish, engaging with prospective partners, negotiating terms, and ensuring seamless integration into AstraZeneca. Your role will require significant influence, strong judgment, and decision-making skills to progress or terminate transactions in line with AstraZeneca's business development timeline. Excellent communication skills are critical as you will regularly interact with senior leaders, particularly Heads of Procurement. We have two roles, one focused on Global R&D integration (based in Mississauga) and one focused on Global Operations, manufacturing portfolio (based in Lisbon). Both roles are part of a wider Global Divestment and Acquisition team and will work together to drive excellence and support each other and the wider team. The roles are line managed by the Global Divestment and Acquisition Senior Director, based in Cambridge.

Accountabilities

• Provide Global Procurement input to Business Development and other functions for pre-deal due diligence, engaging category expertise when required.

• Drive the Global Procurement aspect of developing roadmaps for divestments and acquisitions, leading both Procurement and cross-functional integration teams.

• Develop and deliver the Global Procurement plan in collaboration with SET area Procurement teams, enhancing savings from new spend inherited via acquisition.

• Develop, review, negotiate, and implement complex business agreements and contracts as needed.

• Coordinate with category teams to transition spend from acquisitions into business-as-usual management.

• Track and report value delivered from acquisitions across Procurement’s scorecard areas of speed, savings, and sustainability.

• Ensure acquired and divested third parties are risk led appropriately and align with AZ due diligence requirements.

• Identify areas for improvement in Procurement’s processes for handling divestments and acquisitions.

• Apply appropriate supplier management methods to acquired suppliers.

• Support the delivery of Procurement projects and activities across the team as required.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification

• Significant procurement experience, particularly in managing Contract Research (R&D) or Contract Manufacturing Organizations (Operations)

• Project Management experience with a proven track record of leading large, complex transitions at an enterprise level

• Strong communication skills with oral and written fluency in Business English

• Supplier Management experience

• Experience in people management

• Significant cross-industry and cross-category experience

• Leading multi-disciplinary teams

• Ability to leverage a range of influencing techniques

• Proven ability to manage change

• Strong analytical and financial skills

• Delivering results under time pressure in a highly ambiguous, matrixed environment

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Professional Procurement Qualification

• Professional Project Management Qualification

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

AstraZeneca is an international team that celebrates diversity of experience, skills, and ways of working. Whether you're a specialist or somebody changing industries, we embrace sharing and learning together. Adaptable, agile, and curious, we are willing to step outside of our comfort zone in pursuit of continuous improvement. With problem-solvers across the enterprise, it takes business acumen to thrive here. Our people bring a strategic and commercial mindset that allows us to react rapidly to changing business requirements. In an evolving environment, we are resilient self-starters who are just as comfortable stepping up as working within a team. A team of innovators, our breakthrough ideas come from our diverse minds. Each of us is ready to challenge conventions and try new things in order to progress.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now!

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.