Purchasing Officer

Job Introduction

Package Description

Position: Purchasing Officer

Location: Cramlington

Pharmaron is a global CRO helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 21,000 employees worldwide across 23 locations in the US, UK and China, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high-quality services.

We’re proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported over 780 discovery projects, 1,000+ CMC programmes, and 1,000+ clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules to biologics and gene therapies, and we work with more than 3,000 global customers. To learn more, visit www.pharmaron.com.

About the Role

Pharmaron is currently looking to recruit a proactive, commercially minded Purchasing Officer to join our team in Cramlington. In this role, you’ll be responsible for sourcing and purchasing indirect goods, managing service and maintenance agreements, and supporting Capex procurement activities that keep our site running smoothly. You’ll manage the full procurement lifecycle—from RFQs and supplier sourcing to contract negotiation, supplier performance monitoring, and process improvement.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong negotiation skills, excellent stakeholder management capability, and a genuine passion for driving value, compliance, and efficiency across the procurement function.

Key roles and responsibilities:

• Source, negotiate, and purchase a wide range of indirect goods and services.
• Review, manage, and renew annual service and maintenance contracts.
• Lead contract negotiations, ensuring optimal commercial terms, service levels, and supplier value.
• Draft, review, and maintain purchasing contracts in line with legal and corporate requirements.
• Manage supplier onboarding, qualification, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Conduct market research to identify suitable suppliers and cost-saving opportunities.
• Run the full RFQ process—including bid creation, distribution, evaluation, and final selection.
• Oversee the full procurement cycle from requisition through PO creation, delivery tracking, and invoice accuracy.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support service continuity and performance.
• Monitor supplier KPIs, address performance issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Support capital project procurement and negotiations.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, price lists, reports, and audit documentation.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contract law, governance requirements, and sustainability objectives.
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost, improve efficiency, and enhance supplier performance.
• Support budget preparation and expenditure plans for site contracts.

Candidate Profile

  Essential:

• CIPS Level 4 qualification.
• Strong negotiation skills with proven experience in contract negotiation.
• Proven experience working in procurement.
• Understanding of contract law.
• Experience managing suppliers, evaluations, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Familiarity with SAP or other ERP procurement systems.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience with cost control, budgeting, and monitoring expenditure.
• Proficiency in Excel and procurement reporting tools.
• Strong time management with the ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.

Desirable:

• Professional certifications (CIPS, CPP, CSCP).
• Knowledge of inventory management, KPIs, and supply chain principles.
• Experience in a cGMP or regulated environment.

Why Pharmaron?

Collaborative Culture: Thrive in our inclusive and collaborative environment, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. Here, your voice matters, and your contributions make a real impact. "Employees Number One" and "Clients Centered" are the core cultural values at Pharmaron. Our culture, which sets Pharmaron apart from other organizations, has evolved from our deep commitment to our employees, partners and collaborators.

How to Apply:

Ready to seize this incredible opportunity? Join us at Pharmaron and be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and excellence in biopharmaceutical research and development. Apply online today!

Pharmaron is a premier service provider for the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities and established a broad spectrum of research, development, and manufacturing service capabilities throughout the entire drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical development process across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and CGT products. With over 21,000 employees and operations in the U.S., the U.K. and China. Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.