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Strategic Supplier Director

Location Macclesfield, England, United Kingdom Job ID R-228908 Date posted 10/06/2025

Strategic Supplier Director

Macclesfield (UK)

About the role

Partners with Procurement, Freight and Logistics to identify, evaluate, select and manage Global Logistics Service Providers (LSPs), leveraging LSP capabilities to drive maximum value for AstraZeneca. Holds accountability for strategic supplier relationship management. Will develop strong relationships with supplier contacts at all levels and act as the key contact for the supplier/AZ relationship for global providers of primary freight and / or secondary distribution.

Key Responsibilities

  • The key lead for the supplier on behalf of the Logistics Function and AZ and thus the primary contact accountable for performance, relationship and budgets associated with that supplier

  • First point of contact for all escalations associated with the supplier, prior to LT escalation, and the authority to engage other AZ colleagues in order to address the issues

  • Provides supplier strategy, capability and capacity knowledge based on current and longer –term knowledge of the supplier to drive AZ supplier strategy

  • Manages the supplier relationship with strategic, global LSPs, ensuring that the appropriate supplier management methods are applied to the management of all suppliers

  • Ensures that Global Logistics strategies are aligned to current and future business need and that the supply base is capable of supporting these strategies

  • Partners with Procurement to identify, evaluate, select and manage strategic, global Logistics Service Providers.

  • Works with Global & Regional Logistics Leaders to develop long term strategic plans for the function

  • Agrees priorities for improvement activities within the supplier and directs such activities where necessary within the Logistics Function and across the Enterprise to support this

  • Develops Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for all strategic LSPs and monitors performance to ensure consistency with SLAs and industry benchmarks

  • Leads Global Business Review Meetings with all strategic LSPs

  • Ensures ongoing alignment between AstraZeneca and LSP at both the strategic and tactical levels while establishing standards/best practice for the regions

  • Ensures AstraZeneca is getting maximum value from the relationship (e.g., fully leveraging LSPs capabilities, evaluating new trends / capabilities, monitoring changes in regulations, network optimization, and providing continuous process improvement) and developing / implementing aligned strategic & tactical investment plans

  • Consolidates AZ Business requirements and works with LSP to identify and deploy solutions that meet AstraZeneca’s current and future capabilities and capacity requirements

  • SPOC (Single Point of Contact) for multi-regional GES/BES CMO accounts

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Degree or equivalent professional qualification

  • Commercial experience dealing with and influencing senior business stakeholders

  • Well-developed business management skill-set

  • Procurement experience (less experience is acceptable if entering from a relevant industry or business area)

  • Supplier Management experience

  • Logistics experience

  • Ability to leverage a range of influencing techniques

  • Proven ability to manage change

  • Strong analytical and financial skills

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 where you can make a meaningful impact every day. We help AstraZeneca run faster and better by leveraging exciting new technology and digital innovations. Our entrepreneurial spirit keeps us ahead of the rest as we apply creativity to every task we do. We thrive in our fast-paced environment by taking smart risks to turn our ideas into reality. With countless opportunities available, this is the place to build an unrivaled reputation while being rewarded for your successes.

If this sounds like.. Apply today!

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.

10000535 F SUGE Operations

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Great culture, great work assignments, supportive management. Rotation opportunity within the company. They value inclusion and diversity.