Associate Director Vendor Outsourcing

Associate Director Vendor Outsourcing - Non-Clinical FocusedLocation: BelgiumDepartment: Global Sourcing & Vendor ManagementEmployment Type: Full-timeAbout the RoleWe are seeking a highly skilled Senior Sourcing Manager to lead the sourcing, selection, and management of external partners supporting non-clinical pharmacology, toxicology, bioanalytical, and biomarker activities. This role ensures that external vendors deliver high-quality services on time, in alignment with program objectives, internal standards, and relevant guidelines.You will play a critical role in building strong partnerships, negotiating contracts, and supporting the progression of a diverse R&D pipeline. This is a key strategic and operational position requiring scientific understanding, business acumen, and strong relationship-building capabilities.Key ResponsibilitiesSourcing Strategy & Vendor LeadershipDefine and implement efficient sourcing strategies that meet pipeline and project needs.Lead the sourcing and management of external partners supporting non-clinical development activities.Drive strong, value-creating relationships with vendors and position the organization as a preferred sponsor.Organize and manage governance activities to ensure collaboration and performance.Market Intelligence & Best PracticesMonitor vendor landscapes and industry trends to inform sourcing strategies.Identify best practices, improvement opportunities, and regulatory considerations relevant to preclinical outsourcing.Vendor Selection & Cross-Functional LeadershipLead cross-functional vendor selection processes, aligning timelines and priorities.Prepare RFPs with clear specifications, including country-specific considerations where appropriate.Conduct proposal analysis, lead vendor presentations, and facilitate decision-making for selection.Collaborate with Quality Assurance on vendor qualification activities when needed.Contracting & NegotiationPrepare, review, and negotiate contract documents, ensuring alignment with project requirements.Lead competitive bidding, financial benchmarking, and budgeting negotiations.Manage contract execution, including amendments and change orders, ensuring protection of organizational interests.Performance Oversight & ComplianceMonitor contract performance, study metrics, and vendor delivery; escalate issues when necessary.Review annual cost updates and ensure alignment with contracted mechanisms.Ensure readiness for inspections and maintain compliance with relevant industry and GxP standards.Internal CollaborationRepresent the sourcing function within study and operational teams.Support budget creation, forecasting, and financial planning.Contribute to the development and updates of sourcing processes, templates, and tools.Work collaboratively with internal teams including Legal, QA, Finance, and scientific stakeholders.Skills & CompetenciesStrong understanding of business needs and how sourcing strategies drive organizational success.Solid knowledge of project management principles, contracting, benchmarking, and market analysis.Innovative, agile mindset with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.Strong facilitation skills and the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.Delivery-oriented and proactive leadership style.Fluency in English required; additional languages are a plus.Education & ExperienceM.Sc. or Ph.D. in a scientific or business-related discipline.5+ years of pharma or biotech experience, including a minimum of 3 years in multi-national outsourcing.Experience working with CROs, external laboratories, or academic research partners.Familiarity with GxP requirements and preclinical development environments.About Planet Pharma:Planet Pharma is an American parented Employment Business/Agency that provides global staffing services with its head-quarters in Chicago and our EMEA regional office located in Central London. We have invested significantly in creating a robust international platform that enables us to work compliantly in 30+ countries with a current network of 2500+ active contractors globally as well as a very strong permanent / direct hire recruitment offering.Our specialist knowledge and close relationships with our clients and the wider industry really makes us unique in our field. Just recently we were recognised by FORBES as the 17th best professional staffing firm, and have won multiple awards from industry accredited bodies for our commitment to excellence and service delivery. We have extensive functional expertise including: Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, QA, QC, Submissions experts, Clinical development, Quality, Biostatistics, and Medical Affairs / Writing.We are an equal opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.www.planet-pharma.com