Procurement Specialist, Medical

Procurement Specialist, Medical

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe. 

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects. 

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention. 

Introduction to role

The role sits on the Americas Procurement Category team focused in the Global and Americas region focused on supporting the categories of Primary Real World Evidence (Evidence Generation, Early Access Programs) and Medical Affairs/Medical Communication. You will work with the relevant Director/ Associate Director to manage a portion of the Enterprise spend category and help develop long-term strategic plans for the entire spend area within AstraZeneca or Region. You’ll work closely with customers and suppliers to ensure that Category Strategies are highly aligned to current and future Business needs and that the supply base is capable of supporting these strategies. Responsibilities include source-to-contract activities, tool utilization, benchmarking, data collection and analysis, and other duties as assigned to support the categories, stakeholders, and vendors.

Accountabilities

• Support Directors/Associate Directors in creating and refining long‑term category strategies for Primary Real‑World Evidence (Evidence Generation, Early Access Programs) and Medical Affairs/Medical Communication across Global and Americas regions.
• Manage a defined portion of the enterprise spend, ensuring alignment to budget, value, and risk objectives while driving measurable savings and value creation.
• Lead and support sourcing events (RFI/RFP/RFQ), supplier evaluations, negotiations, contracting, and award recommendations, adhering to procurement policies and timelines.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams (Medical Affairs, RWE, Finance, Legal, Compliance) to capture requirements, define business outcomes, and ensure category strategies meet current and future needs.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships; monitor performance, SLAs/KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives, escalating issues and driving remediation where needed.
• Conduct market scans, benchmarking, and cost/price analyses to identify opportunities, inform strategy, and challenge status quo.
• Gather, validate, and analyze spend, demand, and performance data; develop insights and dashboards to guide decisions and track benefits realization.
• Identify and mitigate third‑party risks (commercial, operational, regulatory, data privacy); ensure compliance with AZ policies, ethical standards, and regional requirements.
• Coordinate contract drafting, reviews, and renewals with Legal; maintain contract repository hygiene and ensure timely obligations management.
• Use procurement tools and systems (eSourcing, contract management, analytics) effectively; champion process standards and adoption across stakeholders.
• Plan and deliver sourcing and category projects on time and within scope; manage milestones, resources, and communications.
• Track and report savings, cost avoidance, and qualitative value; prepare management updates and category performance reports.
• Challenge and shape demand with stakeholders to optimize specifications, volumes, and timing for greater value and agility.
• Identify and implement opportunities for innovation (e.g., new suppliers, commercial models, evidence generation approaches) and process improvements.
• Lead or support complex negotiations to achieve favorable outcomes on pricing, terms, and risk allocation aligned to stakeholder priorities.
• Support AZ objectives on supplier diversity, ESG, and responsible sourcing within the categories.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required 
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in procurement sourcing and category management,  
• Oral and written fluency in English 
• Strong analytical and financial skills 
• Strong communicator, ability to influence others 
• Project management 
• Strong communication and influencing skills 

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Professional Procurement Qualification 
• 3-5 years of Procurement Sourcing and category management experience within indirect or R&D procurement. Knowledge of medical communications and evidence generation is a plus. 
• Experience with Consulting, Financial, or other Professional services procurement categories 
• Strong working knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry / or related industries 
• Significant negotiation experience with favorable outcomes for the stakeholders. 

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 10 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel

Annual base salary for this position ranges from $94,693.60 to $124,285.35. AstraZeneca is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation opportunities to all colleagues. Our compensation policies and practices have been designed to allow colleagues to progress through the salary range over time as they progress in their role. The range provided in this posting represents an offer pay range used in a majority of situations. The base pay offered will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including the candidate's skills and experience, job-related knowledge, and other specific business and organizational needs. In some cases, offers outside the range may also be considered to address unique circumstances.

In addition, our permanent positions offer an annual Variable Pay Bonus/Short Term Incentive opportunity as well as eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (if applicable to role). Benefits offered for permanent roles include a competitive Flex Benefits & Retirement Savings Program, 4 weeks’ paid vacation, and annual Personal Days. Fixed Term Contract/Temporary positions (excluding students) are offered a Contract Benefits Program.

We are using AI as part of the recruitment process.

This advertisement relates to a current vacancy.

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why: 

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 11 years 

• Top 100 Employers Award 

• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture 

• Learn more about working with us in Canada 

• View our YouTube channel 

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today! 

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com. 

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