Procurement Services Lead Specialist

I. POSITION SUMMARY*:  Serve as the Company’s agent to procure high value, complex and/or critical categories to achieve all prerequisites of cost, quality, technical performance and schedule objectives are met.  Develops, evaluates and implements category and/or commodity strategies to ensure both short and long term customer and business objectives are achieved. Utilize and maintain best practice principles in business and supply chain management to ensure continuous improvement. Works independently with all levels internally and externally.  External contacts include but are not limited to suppliers, government agencies; US Customs Service, FDA, and Department of Agriculture.  II. PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Purchase materials and services required by the Company according to the established spend guidelines.2. Manages the administration of high value, complex and/or critical categories in a manner to insure all prerequisites of cost, quality, and technical performance, schedule objectives are met.3. Responsible for category performance across the company as assigned by Purchasing Management.4. Responsible for and reports on total category performance with overall responsibility for assigned categories attending monthly and/or weekly meetings as required.5. Drive category performance to achieve or exceed stated goals interfacing with and monitoring all internal/external deliverables.6. Lead the purchasing award process including selection of suppliers, solicitation of proposals, analysis and evaluation of purchasing bids, source selection, negotiation and execution. 7. Ensure that purchasing actions and file documentation are in compliance with Forest company policies and procedures including FDA and SOX requirements and Forest contractual interests are protected at all times.8. Manage the change order process and resolve all supplier issues relating to quality, price, delivery and performance.9. Initiate and lead the evaluation of new sources of supply, products processes or materials that may result in improved performance, lower cost and/or enhanced quality and reliability for company products.10. Maintain system accuracy as it relates to all purchasing information including but not limited to supplier lead-time, purchase order accuracy-delivery dates, quantity, price, info records, vendor master data, and FDA/regulatory requirements. 11. Participate in assigned training and professional development to enhance required competencies and skills.12.  Participate in Quality and Purchasing audits including supplier site visits as required to ensure suppliers meet and exceed Forest standards and are in compliance with cGMPs.13. Participate in special projects such as SAP system enhancements, process improvement initiatives, as required.14. As required responsible for and reports on all import and export activity.15. Serves as a back-up for the department as needed.16.  Perform other duties as required by Management. III. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: Education:  Bachelor’s degree preferably in a business discipline (advanced degree preferred). Experience: A minimum of six to eight (6-8) years relevant purchasing experience, preferably in the pharmaceutical/ Healthcare industry Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities · Thorough understanding of purchasing / supply chain techniques and processes.· Strong SAP ERP and Microsoft office knowledge.· Self starter with the ability to work within a diverse group within a time sensitive environment.· Analytical aptitude to surface and sell opportunities for positive change.· Strong negotiating, communication, interpersonal organizational and teamwork skills.· Project Management knowledge with proven ability to manage multiple projects. If you qualify and would like to be considered please submit your resume along with salary requirements. Relocation will not be provided. Committed to continuing diversity at work.EOE m/f/d/v *Note:  While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from a particular job and to assign other duties as necessary and at any time. All positions at Forest Laboratories, Inc. or its subsidiaries are at-will employment, and a position description is not a guarantee of a job or of job responsibilities.