Home Jobs Category Manager New Businesses & Sourcing 80% - 100% (m/f/d) (FIXED TERM 31/12/2025)
Back to Jobs

Category Manager New Businesses & Sourcing 80% - 100% (m/f/d) (FIXED TERM 31/12/2025) - Job Opportunity at Lonza

Basel, Switzerland
Part-time
Senior
Posted: June 4, 2025
On-site
CHF 95,000 - 130,000 annually based on senior-level strategic sourcing roles in Switzerland's pharmaceutical sector, with Basel commanding premium rates due to its position as a major pharma hub

Benefits

Opportunity to make a positive impact on millions of people globally through life sciences innovation
Career ownership with the ability to develop and implement ideas that genuinely improve the world
Working with a global leader operating across three continents with extensive international exposure
Ethical work environment with strong emphasis on environmental and people protection
Access to challenging and creative problem-solving opportunities in cutting-edge life sciences
Professional development through complex project management and strategic sourcing initiatives

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic identification and development of upstream chemical entity sources to support new business growth and competitive advantage
Execute technical transfers and supplier development programs that directly impact commercial project success
Build and manage Key Sourcing Partners network across multiple geographies to optimize global supply chain capabilities
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute category and project supply strategies that deliver measurable value
Support continuous improvement initiatives for commercial projects across Visp and Nansha facilities to enhance operational efficiency

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree minimum or equivalent; Master, MBA or equivalent experience preferred

Experience

Seven or more years of operations experience with 4-5 years in Procurement/Strategic Sourcing

Required Skills

Chemistry or Engineering background English business fluent Experience in regulated industry (pharmaceutical, food) preferred Strategic sourcing expertise Operations management
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical and life sciences industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by aging populations, increased healthcare spending, and accelerated drug development timelines post-COVID-19. This trend is creating massive demand for sourcing professionals who can navigate complex global supply chains while maintaining regulatory compliance. Strategic sourcing in pharmaceuticals is becoming increasingly critical as companies face supply chain disruptions, raw material shortages, and the need for more resilient supplier networks. Organizations are investing heavily in sourcing talent to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity. The shift toward personalized medicine and biologics is driving demand for specialized sourcing expertise in upstream chemicals and raw materials, making category managers with technical backgrounds increasingly valuable in the market.

Role Significance

Typically manages relationships with 5-8 key suppliers while collaborating with cross-functional teams of 10-15 professionals including R&D, quality, manufacturing, and commercial teams
Senior individual contributor role with significant strategic influence on business operations and supplier relationships, reporting to Associate Director level with considerable autonomy in decision-making and supplier selection processes

Key Projects

Global supplier qualification and onboarding projects worth millions in annual spend Technical transfer initiatives for new product launches Cost optimization programs targeting 5-15% savings on category spend Risk mitigation projects for critical raw materials supply security

Success Factors

Deep understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory requirements and ability to ensure supplier compliance across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining supply security Strong relationship-building skills to develop strategic partnerships with key suppliers in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Americas regions Technical acumen to evaluate complex chemical processes and manufacturing capabilities when selecting and developing suppliers Project management excellence to coordinate multiple technical transfers and supplier development initiatives simultaneously Commercial negotiation skills to secure favorable terms while maintaining long-term strategic relationships

Market Demand

High demand driven by critical supply chain challenges in pharmaceuticals and limited pool of candidates with both technical and strategic sourcing expertise

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Strategic sourcing expertise is absolutely essential as this role directly impacts Lonza's ability to secure reliable, cost-effective supply for new business development and competitive positioning in the CDMO market Technical background in chemistry or engineering is crucial for evaluating supplier capabilities, understanding manufacturing processes, and ensuring technical feasibility of sourcing decisions Regulatory industry experience is vital given the highly regulated nature of pharmaceutical manufacturing where supplier qualification and compliance directly impact product approval and patient safety

Beneficial Skills

Mandarin or other Asian language skills would be valuable given the Nansha operations focus and increasing importance of Asian suppliers in the pharmaceutical supply chain Digital procurement tools and data analytics capabilities are increasingly important as sourcing becomes more technology-driven and data-informed Project management certification (PMP) would enhance credibility and effectiveness in managing complex technical transfer and supplier development initiatives

Unique Aspects

Fixed-term contract structure until December 2025 provides opportunity for high-impact project delivery with potential for permanent conversion based on business needs and performance
Dual-site responsibility covering both European (Visp) and Asian (Nansha) operations offers exceptional international exposure and cross-cultural business experience
Direct support role to Associate Director level provides mentorship opportunities and visibility to senior leadership for accelerated career development
Focus on new businesses and early-phase projects positions the role at the forefront of Lonza's growth strategy and innovation pipeline

Career Growth

3-5 years to Associate Director level given the strategic nature of the role and leadership development opportunities within Lonza's global operations

Potential Next Roles

Associate Director of Strategic Sourcing Global Category Director Supply Chain Director Chief Procurement Officer

Company Overview

Lonza

Lonza is a Swiss multinational chemicals and biotechnology company headquartered in Basel, serving as one of the world's largest contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMO) for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with operations spanning three continents and annual revenues exceeding CHF 5 billion.

Industry leader and top-tier CDMO with strong market position in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, small molecules, and biologics development, competing directly with companies like Catalent, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and WuXi AppTec
This Basel-based role positions the candidate at the heart of Europe's pharmaceutical corridor with direct access to major pharma companies like Novartis, Roche, and numerous biotech firms, while supporting operations in Visp, Switzerland and Nansha, China
Science-driven organization with strong emphasis on ethical business practices, employee empowerment, and meaningful work that impacts global health outcomes, fostering an environment where individual contributions directly influence business success
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.