Direct Materials Buyer/Planner

At Guerbet, we build lasting relationships so that to enable people to live better. This is Our Purpose.

We are a global leader in medical imaging, offering an extensive portfolio of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital and AI solutions, for diagnostic and interventional imaging. As a pioneer in the field of contrast products since the last 100 years, we continuously innovate to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and quality of life of patients.

Customer Centricity, Cooperation, Audacity, Focus, and Responsibility are the values that we share and practice on a daily basis.

Working at Guerbet is not only being part of a multicultural team with nearly 3,000 people across more than 20 countries, but it is above all about playing a unique role in the future of medical imaging. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Direct Materials Buyer ensures uninterrupted supply of GMP-compliant direct materials, including chemicals, glassware, primary/secondary packaging, and production components support Guerbet Raleigh fill–finish operations. The role owns category sourcing and supplier relationship management across assigned commodities; executes purchase orders and releases; drives cost, quality, service, and risk performance; and partners cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, Warehouse, and Corporate Procurement. The Buyer applies pharma procurement best practices (supplier segmentation, qualification, scorecards, dual sourcing, risk management, and data-driven continuous improvement) while upholding cGMP, change control, and Delegation of Authority policies. This role manages day-to-day buying and supplier management for direct materials to meet production schedules and OTIF delivery, executes sourcing strategies, and leads supplier performance improvement consistent with Guerbet values and Technical Operations priorities (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People, Prepare the Future).

YOUR ROLE

• Owns purchasing of assigned direct materials: issues POs/releases, confirms deliveries, tracks status, and ensures OTIF performance to production plans.
• Ensures availability of GMP-compliant components by aligning MRP signals with supplier lead times, safety stocks, and inventory targets; proactively mitigates shortages.
• Leads supplier qualification and ongoing monitoring in partnership with Quality (e.g., audits, quality agreements, change notifications, CAPA follow-up).
• Implements supplier segmentation and SRM practices: scorecards, regular business reviews, and joint improvement plans with strategic suppliers.
• Develops and executes risk mitigation strategies (e.g., dual sourcing, alternate materials, safety stock, and expedited recovery plans) for critical commodities.
• Negotiates pricing, terms, and supply/service levels; drives total cost of ownership (TCO) savings and Purchase Price Variance (PPV) improvements in conjunction with Category Buyers.
• Maintains accurate master data (lead times, MOQ, pricing, Incoterms) and uses ERP and analytics to manage demand, supplier performance, and KPIs.
• Partners cross-functionally with Planning, Manufacturing, Warehouse, and Corporate Procurement on new item introductions, engineering change orders, and change control.
• Prepares and issues RFPs/RFQs; evaluates bids using balanced criteria (quality, service, risk, cost) and recommends awards consistent with Delegation of Authority.
• Ensures compliance with cGMP, 21 CFR Part 211, USP and site procedures; supports audit/inspection readiness and timely closure of observations.
• Leads or supports cost-saving and process-improvement projects (Lean, standard work, vendor-managed inventory, consignment, Kanban) and tracks benefits.
• Communicates effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers; escalates risks and provides recovery/contingency plans.
• Works safely and reports safety or environmental incidents per policy.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.
  
  

YOUR BACKGROUND

Education, Experience, And/or Skill

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field; or equivalent experience.

Required: 3–7 years of procurement/buying experience in GMP-regulated pharma/biotech or medical device environment.

Required: Proficiency with ERP/MRP (e.g., SAP/Oracle) and Excel; experience maintaining procurement master data.

Required: Demonstrated SRM capabilities (supplier segmentation, scorecards, business reviews) and negotiation skills.

Required: Working knowledge of cGMP (21 CFR 211) and supplier qualification per USP ; experience with change control.

Education, Experience, And/or Skill (Preferred)

• APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP; CIPS or CPSM certification.
• Experience with SRM scorecards, supplier segmentation, and business reviews.
• Familiarity with cGMP purchasing controls, Quality Agreements, and audit readiness.
• Experience with category management, should-cost modeling, and total cost of ownership analyses.