Business Introduction
GSK remains committed to achieving bold commercial ambitions for the future. By 2031, we aim to deliver £40 billion in annual sales, leveraging our existing strong performance momentum to significantly increase our positive impact on the health of billions of patients globally. Our Ahead Together strategy is centred on early intervention to prevent and alter the course of disease, thereby protecting people and supporting healthcare systems.
Our diverse portfolio consists of vaccines, specialty medicines, and general medicines.
Through continuous innovation and a dedicated focus on scientific and technical excellence, we strive to develop and launch new, groundbreaking treatments that address critical health challenges.
Position Summary
The Director, External Manufacturing Procurement plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing GSK's procurement strategies for Sterile Drug Product and vaccine drug substances. This key role leads a team of category managers focused on GSK’s partnerships with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMO’s). The successful candidate will ensure that GSK develops category strategies that support supply reliability and cost targets for their area of responsibility.
This role develops and maintains external market knowledge and serves as a key representative for GSK to the CMO industry. The director engages senior internal and external stakeholders to understand business requirements, use market intelligence to develop strategies, lead complex supplier negotiations, and ultimately deliver solutions to support GSK’s supply chains. This role sits on the leadership team of the Vice President, External Manufacturing Procurement and is a key advisor of the GSK global external manufacturing strategy.
The ideal candidate should have prior experience in sourcing the commercial supply of drug product or drug substance from CMO’s.
Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for Sterile Drug Product and Vaccines Drug Substance manufactured externally, ensuring alignment with GSK's overall supply strategy.
Lead complex contract negotiations with CMO’s and deliver outcomes at pace.
Deliver contracts which emphasize value creation, critical terms, and effective cost control.
Gather and analyze market intelligence to benchmark the CMO landscape.
Cultivate relationships with key internal stakeholders to support GSK's business strategy and communicate supply chain insights.
Forge and maintain strategic relationships with CMO’s to support robust category strategies and network design decisions.
Set financial budgets for contract manufacturing, incorporating pricing negotiations and volume forecasting.
Establish and monitor CMO performance metrics, promoting continuous improvement.
Optimize the CMO portfolio to maintain a network of providers aligned with GSK’s network needs.
Manage the commercial risk profile of our CMO network, ensuring alignment with GSK's business continuity plans.
Uphold procurement policies and compliance standards, including third-party risk management.
Deliver GSK’s commitments to environmental sustainability for their category.
Bachelor’s Degree in supply chain, procurement or technical field.
Extensive experience in the procurement and commercial management of sterile drug product and vaccine drug substance (or drug product) sourced from CMO’s.
Proven experience developing and executing sourcing strategies across multiple geographies and supply chains.
Demonstrated experience leading global/regional projects across matrixed teams.
Master’s degree in business administration, supply chain, procurement or a relevant technical field.
The ability to develop and maintain strong internal and external networks.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong project and change management skills.
Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Work Location:
This role is based in the United Kingdom (GSK HQ, London), Munich, Germany, Poznan Poland or Wavre, Belgium and offers a hybrid working model, combining on-site and remote work.
Closing Date for Applications: 12th May 2026
Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert. When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.
#Li-Hybrid
The annual base salary in Poland for new hires in this position ranges from PLN 434,250 to PLN 723,750 gross, taking into account a number of factors including the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. Depending on the role and internal policies, the position may also be eligible for a bonus (if applicable and based on defined, non-discretionary criteria) and/or awards for exceptional performance (granted at the employer’s discretion). All statutory benefits will be maintained in accordance with Polish law. Other benefits may also be offered, which may include private healthcare, additional paid days off, life insurance, private pension plan and fully paid parental leave & care of family member leave. More detailed information on the total reward package applicable to your role will be supplied during the recruitment process. Salary ranges for other locations are shown because some markets have pay transparency laws that require salary information on job postings, and those locations are potential job sites for this role. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific location or country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process. Please note salaries vary by country based on the market rate for the role.Why GSK?
Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale.
People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.
We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.
Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at UKRecruitment.Adjustments@gsk.com where you can also request a call.
Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive
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