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Lonza · 21 hours ago

Purchasing Manager

Walkersville, MD

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$93K/yr - $159K/yr

Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. The Purchasing Manager is responsible for ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of direct materials that support production schedules and inventory targets, while leading a team of Operational Buyers and collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance supply chain operations.

BiotechnologyLife SciencePharmaceutical

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the site’s team of Operational Buyers, ensuring timely and accurate purchasing activities in alignment with production requirements and company standards

Oversee the fulfillment of the Material Requirements Plan (MRP) and maintain target inventory levels, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with SOPs

Identify and mitigate supply risks related to key raw materials, implementing proactive solutions to prevent disruptions

Prioritize and organize team activities to ensure efficient execution of document changes, new material qualifications, and issue resolution

Foster effective collaboration across Production Planning, MRP Planning, Order Fulfillment, and other key stakeholders to ensure smooth supply chain operations

Develop, implement, and monitor Purchasing KPIs (e.g., Purchase Price Variance, standard costs, transfer prices) to drive performance and cost control

Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, ensuring consistent communication, performance management, and issue escalation when needed

Support alternative sourcing initiatives and qualification of new materials to enhance supply chain resilience

Ensure supplier complaints, CAPAs, and deviations are managed promptly, effectively, and in compliance with Lonza’s quality standards

Oversee intercompany purchase orders from placement through invoice completion, ensuring accuracy and timely follow-up by the operational buying team

Promote adherence to relevant ISO 9001 and EHS standards and procedures

Maintain and review development plans for each team member, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional growth

Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned to support business needs

Qualification

SAPSupply chain managementPurchasing KPIsCGMP experienceAPICS certificationTeam leadershipCommunication skillsCustomer-focused mindsetOrganizational skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to service excellence

Positive attitude, flexibility, and eagerness to learn and adapt in a dynamic environment

Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop a team, including navigating difficult conversations effectively

Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build cross-functional relationships

Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain a broad business perspective

Hands-on experience using SAP in a purchasing, procurement, or supply chain function (required)

Working knowledge of general business processes and financial controls