Senior Procurement Lead

About the RoleWe are looking for a Senior Procurement Lead with deep experience in strategic sourcing within life sciences or pharmaceutical environments. The role focuses on driving high-impact procurement activities during a critical project phase for a major pharmaceutical organization in the Basel region. You will work across global functions, lead category strategies, manage suppliers, and ensure procurement excellence in a highly regulated and fast-moving environment.This position is ideal for someone who thrives in complex, multinational settings, enjoys building strong stakeholder relationships, and can lead procurement initiatives that balance compliance, value creation, and operational efficiency.Responsibilities• Lead end-to-end procurement activities across key pharmaceutical categories (direct or indirect depending on profile)• Shape, implement, and optimize sourcing strategies aligned with global business objectives• Manage supplier selection, negotiations, contracting, and ongoing performance monitoring• Ensure adherence to internal procurement policies and external regulatory expectations• Partner closely with senior stakeholders in R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, Finance, and Manufacturing• Identify risks and opportunities within the supplier landscape and define mitigation strategies• Contribute to cost optimization, innovation sourcing, and continuous improvement initiatives• Act as a subject-matter expert for procurement processes, tools, and industry best practices• Support governance activities, reporting, and documentation aligned with global procurement standardsRequirements• 10+ years of procurement experience, ideally within pharmaceutical, biotech, or broader life science sectors• Strong track record in strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier management• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and work within matrixed global organizations• Deep understanding of GMP-aligned procurement environments (considered a plus)• Fluent in English; an additional European language (German, French, Italian, etc.) is highly desirable• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills• Structured, proactive, and comfortable delivering under time pressure• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain high standards of compliance and documentation integrityPreferred Skills• Background in procurement within GMP or regulated manufacturing environments• Experience supporting global projects or multi-site procurement initiatives• Familiarity with procurement digital tools, contract management platforms, and supplier performance systems• Knowledge of risk management, compliance frameworks, and audit readinessWhat We Offer• A high-impact contract role within one of Europe’s most influential pharmaceutical hubs• Close collaboration with global leadership and senior functional stakeholders• A dynamic, multicultural environment aligned with cutting-edge scientific and operational initiatives• Strong potential for contract extension depending on performance and project evolution• Competitive contracting conditions and an opportunity to contribute to strategic procurement outcomes