Summary

Plan and lead procurement initiatives for Special Services sub‑categories globally (or regionally/country as applicable), including Patient Recruitment & Retention (PR&R), Ancillary Supplies, and Central Radio Pharmacy. Develop sub‑category strategy aligned to the wider Category Strategy; drive sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance to enable compliant, timely delivery of services critical to clinical trial success and patient experience.

About The Role

Major accountabilities:

• Translate global divisional category strategy into sub‑category strategy and implementation plans for PR&R, Ancillary Supplies, and Central Radio Pharmacy; or adapt regional procurement strategy into country‑specific plans.
• Lead sourcing projects for patient recruitment vendors, retention services, ancillary supply providers, and central radio pharmacy partners; ensure specification definition, demand management, and compliance.
• Segment suppliers and identify strategic relationships; conduct business planning and innovation forums to improve patient engagement, supply reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Manage supplier performance with consistent measures for the sub‑category; resolve risks/issues promptly to maintain service continuity and regulatory compliance.
• Create, negotiate, and manage major contracts for Special Services; ensure terms are communicated and applied consistently across divisions/regions.
• Oversee budget/resource allocation for the sub‑category and ensure spend stewardship aligned to clinical and patient‑centric priorities.
• Develop talent and performance of direct reports; contribute to broader team capability building in patient recruitment and specialised supply procurement.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

Work Experience:

• 15+ years’ overall experience, including significant time in category management and strategic procurement within healthcare or life sciences.
• Expertise in Patient Recruitment & Retention, Ancillary Supplies, and Central Radio Pharmacy operations and vendor landscape.
• Functional breadth across sourcing, contracting, supplier relationship management, and change management; proven ability to translate strategy into actionable plans.
• Critical negotiations with high‑value suppliers; ability to balance timelines, quality, and cost in regulated environments.
• Cross‑cultural experience and stakeholder engagement across Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, Legal, Compliance, and Finance.
• Project/operations management for multi‑country clinical trial support services; disciplined execution and issue resolution.
• Language: Fluency in English; additional languages a plus depending on region.
  
  

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards