Procurement Category Manager - Services & Operations

For almost six decades, Pharmathen has remained committed to its vision of improving patients’ lives through innovation and expanding access to complex pharmaceutical therapies.

Today, Pharmathen's capabilities extend across a broad range of specialized dosage forms, including sustained-release products, long-acting injectables, and oral solid dosage forms, while its portfolio includes more than 100 commercial products available internationally through a strong network of partners.

These activities are supported by a robust Research & Development and Manufacturing ecosystem, with three facilities in Greece.

The driving force behind Pharmathen is its people. With more than 1,600 employees representing 27 nationalities, the company fosters a multicultural workplace where women account for 53% of the workforce and 40% of the Senior Leadership Team.

Grounded in its shared values of integrity, quality, innovation, leadership and performance, and guided by strong business ethics and a commitment to its vision, Pharmathen remains dedicated to its founding mission: improving patients' lives.

Pharmathen offers a great opportunity for career development and is seeking to recruit aProcurement Category Manager - Services & Operationsto join our team at our Maroussi premises.

As aProcurement Category Manager - Services & Operations, you will manage a portfolio of indirect procurement categories supporting Pharmathen’s operations in Athens and Sapes.

The role will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating and managing suppliers across different Spend Categories as health & safety and selected CAPEX-related activities, professional services, R&D, IT.

The objective is to ensure operational continuity, cost competitiveness, supplier performance and risk mitigation while supporting business excellence and long-term business growth.

It is a business-facing role requiring commercial skills, analytical capabilities and the ability to influence stakeholders across Operations, Quality, R&D, Finance, EHS and IT.

The role will primarily focus on proficiently managing Indirect Spend Categories supporting company’s manufacturing sites in Athens and Sapes.

Position objective is to oversee the end-to-end procurement process, from identifying suppliers and saving opportunities to negotiating sourcing agreements, handling contracts and ensuring timely delivery of OPEX and selected CAPEX requirements.

What you will do:

More particularly:

Procurement spend category strategy

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies across procurement categories supporting operations
• Build category plans based on business requirements, market intelligence, supplier capabilities and total cost of ownership
• Lead RFx for goods and professional services
• Identify opportunities to improve supplier competitiveness, resilience and performance
• Support sourcing decisions for operational, maintenance and capital investment projects

Supplier management and negotiations

• Lead commercial negotiations with strategic suppliers
• Negotiate framework agreements, service contracts, pricing structures and performance KPIs
• Develop alternative sourcing options to reduce dependency and supply risk
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions where required

Operational support and business partnering

• Work closely with Operations, Quality, R&D, IT, Finance and EHS teams
• Translate operational requirements into procurement solutions
• Ensure timely availability of goods and services supporting uninterrupted operations
• Support site initiatives related to productivity, reliability and operational excellence
• Act as the procurement focal point for key stakeholders

Cost, cash and value delivery

• Develop spend transparency and cost-driver understanding across assigned categories
• Deliver savings, cost avoidance and working capital improvements
• Improve payment terms and contractual conditions where appropriate
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting activities
• Bring market best practices and innovation opportunities to the organization

Risk management and governance

• Identify supply, operational and financial risks within the supplier base
• Develop mitigation plans for critical suppliers and categories
• Maintain contract governance and supplier compliance
• Ensure procurement activities are executed according to company policies and quality requirements

Main categories under their responsibility include Health & Safety, Finance, Quality, R&D, IT and selected CAPEX-related activities.

The ideal candidate should have:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance/ business administration /supply chain /engineering or relevant field - A post graduate degree will be considered an asset

• At least 5 years of experience in Indirect Procurement
• Experience in Pharma industry will be a plus

Job-Specific Skills:

• Knowledge of procurement best practices, policies and tools
• Fluency in both Greek and English (verbally and written)
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office suite, with emphasis on Excel
• Experience in SAP
• Proficient communication skills, capable of engaging all relevant stakeholders
• Energetic and skilled in multitasking, time-management and task prioritization in a dynamic, rapidly changing environment
• Capable of working autonomously and collaboratively within a team setting
• Demonstrated expertise in negotiation coupled with vigilant attention to detail
• Procurement experience in contract handling for both OPEX and CAPEX

What you will gain:

·       Involvement in a high-caliber, team-oriented and dynamic environment

·       Exposure to diverse business opportunities, challenges and best practices

·       Great opportunity to leverage and continuously develop your business/scientific knowledge and skills

Join our team and experience the unique Pharmathen’s culture that gives you the opportunity to innovate, to make decisions, to achieve your own potential and to chart your own career!

Pharmathen is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications regardless of gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, and national origin.