Sourcing Associate

Overview

The Sourcing Associate sources goods and services for R&D business processes. The role covers sourcing execution, market and supplier research, contract and supplier administration, data analysis and KPI reporting, value delivery and governance, and collaboration with operational procurement.

What you'll do

• Execute RFI, RFP, and RFQ events for defined R&D categories or spend thresholds under Sourcing Lead guidance.
• Work in other categories as appropriate.
• Prepare sourcing documentation, including scope of work, supplier questionnaires, evaluation criteria, and tender packages.
• Manage supplier communication during sourcing events, coordinate Q&A, and maintain event trackers in SAP Ariba.
• Document sourcing activities accurately and complete them within agreed timelines.
• Conduct supplier market research and maintain supplier landscape knowledge across assigned R&D categories.
• Identify and evaluate potential new suppliers and gather capability, compliance, and pricing information.
• Gather pricing benchmarks and market intelligence to support category strategy and sourcing recommendations in SAP Ariba.
• Support contract drafting, review coordination, and approval workflows per Takeda Legal and Compliance requirements.
• Maintain contract records and monitor renewals, expirations, and performance milestones.
• Support supplier onboarding, due diligence, and ethical sourcing compliance checks.
• Analyze supplier proposals and prepare structured, objective evaluation summaries for Sourcing Lead review.
• Conduct spend analysis to identify savings opportunities and feed findings into the category savings pipeline.
• Support KPI monitoring and maintain data accuracy.
• Contribute to savings targets by identifying value opportunities within assigned R&D categories.
• Ensure sourcing activities comply with Takeda procurement policies, SOPs, and governance standards.
• Support preferred supplier utilization initiatives.
• Collaborate with operational buyers in Central Finance on execution and service delivery.
• Ensure smooth handover of sourcing inputs and outputs for operational RfX execution.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers, driving value and competitive advantage to Takeda.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.
• 4+ years of procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience.
• Sourcing experience for R&D category.
• Understanding of Source-to-Contract processes, procurement guidelines, and supplier management principles.
• Basic familiarity with R&D categories, including CROs, Lab Services, and Pharma Sciences.
• Strong data skills in Excel or Google Sheets.
• Ability to analyze supplier proposals and prepare structured evaluation summaries.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Enthusiasm for digital and AI improvements in procurement ways of working.
• Collaborative and diplomatic, with a demonstrated track record of operating successfully with limited day-to-day direction and ambiguity.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Extensive experience using Microsoft desktop applications, including PowerPoint and Excel.
• Experience using Generative or Agentic AI.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Nice to have

• Procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience in a Lifesciences, R&D, or clinical research environment.
• Exposure to RFI, RFP, and RFQ processes and supplier evaluation.
• Pharmaceutical, biotech, or CRO/clinical research experience.
• Proficiency with eSourcing tools, with SAP Ariba preferred.

Details

• Location: Bengaluru, India.
• Flexible work environment, including hybrid working.
• Employment type: Full time.
• Worker type: Employee.
• Worker sub-type: Regular.