Associate Director - Procurement, API, Innovative Medicine

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at . As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit. Job Function: Procurement Job Sub Function: Strategic Sourcing Job Category: Professional All Job Posting Locations: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, Mumbai, India Job Description: Position Summary: The Associate Director, Procurement — Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Category leads end-to-end API Procurement strategy and execution in a fast-paced environment for value generation and M&A products. This role will deliver against high-impact opportunities in the areas of cost efficiency, supplier quality, innovation, and sustainability that enable J&J’s business growth. Serving as the category subject‑matter expert, the Associate Director - API partners closely with External Manufacturing, Quality, R&D, Legal, Finance, and additional stakeholders to define sourcing strategies, shape the supply base, and drive supplier performance. Procurement Strategy & Execution: • Support J&J IM’s vision of creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. • Deploy the Innovative Medicine Supply Chain Procurement Strategy by driving high-value opportunity identification and capability uplift. • Develop and execute category sourcing strategies aligned with short-, mid-, and long-term business needs. • Leverage market intelligence to assess industry trends, identify value‑creation opportunities, and proactively address supply and cost risks. • Maintain a prioritized roadmap of sourcing initiatives and ensure delivery against business milestones. • Lead or coordinate large, complex procurement projects aligned with supply chain strategy. Supplier Management & Contracting: • Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers to drive performance, innovation, and improvement. • Manage supplier selection and due diligence; collaborate with Supply Chain for onboarding and performance management. • Negotiate commercial agreements and contracts balancing value, risk, and continuity. • Partner with suppliers to identify cost reductions, quality improvements, and process efficiencies. • Oversee contract lifecycle activities with Legal, including renewals and amendments. Stakeholder Engagement & Cross‑Functional Collaboration: • Represent Procurement in cross‑functional category and new product development forums. • Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, and R&D to enable product launches and operational readiness. • Collaborate closely with stakeholders to translate business requirements into actionable sourcing plans. Financial Management & Commercial Impact: • Deliver cost‑effective sourcing solutions across new products. • Drive cost avoidance and cash‑flow improvements through negotiation strategies. • Ensure accurate forecasting and budgeting aligned with financial cycles. • Manage key procurement performance indicators (CIP, Cash, Cost Avoidance, Inflation, etc.). Risk, Resiliency & Compliance: • Identify commercial, supply, quality, and regulatory risks. • Develop and maintain contingency and continuity plans. • Ensure compliance with regulatory and quality requirements. • Escalate critical issues and lead mitigation actions. Data, Tools & Continuous Improvement: • Leverage procurement systems and analytics for insights and decision-making. • Promote digital tools and automation opportunities. • Use data to drive continuous improvement in supplier and sourcing performance. Innovation: • Translate category needs into supplier innovation projects. • Represent Procurement in innovation initiatives globally and regionally. • Lead projects through commercialization, ensuring qualification and verification. • Ensure appropriate representation from Quality, R&D, and Procurement throughout project phases. Qualifications & Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field; MBA preferred. • Minimum 7 years of procurement/category management experience. • Expertise in sourcing strategy, supplier management, and contract negotiation. • Strong analytical skills; proficiency in Excel and analytics tools. • Familiarity with digital and AI Procurement tools. • Strong stakeholder influence and presentation skills. • Project management experience. Leadership Behaviors & Competencies: • Results‑oriented, accountable, self-driven and action‑orientated. • Collaborative relationship‑builder. • Creative mindset; Agile and adaptable in a fast‑moving environment. • High ethical standards and governance alignment. • Customer‑focused with a mindset for innovation. Travel Requirement: Up to 20% domestic and international travel may be required. Equal Opportunity Statement: Johnson & Johnson is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates should be prepared to operate in a global, cross‑functional environment and uphold the company’s Credo and values. Required Skills: Preferred Skills: Business Data Analysis, Business Savvy, Category Management Strategy, Consulting, Cost Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Facilitation, Market Savvy, Negotiation, Organizing, RFx Management, Risk Management, Spend Analysis, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Collaboration, Team Management, Technical Credibility, Vendor Management, Vendor Selection