Location: Europe – Hybrid or Remote from Selected Countries with up to 30% travelSector: Generic PharmaceuticalsWe are partnering with a leading international pharmaceutical organisation to appoint a
Global Head of API Procurement
with significant experience managing large-scale API spend within a general generics environment.
This is a high-impact leadership role with responsibility for global API strategy, supplier performance, savings delivery, alternate-source implementation and leadership of senior procurement professionals.
It is also a great time to join: there is real scope to
build, shape and strengthen the function, improve supply resilience and deliver commercial value that ultimately supports the availability and affordability of medicines for patients.
Location & Working Model
Hybrid (3 days onsite) from the European headquarters, with relocation support available;

or
Remote fromselected European countries, with up to
30% travel
to HQ and other business/supplier locations.
Key Responsibilities
Own a significant global
finished API portfolio, ideally around
€100m+ annually .
Develop and execute API sourcing and supplier strategies across
Europe and Asia .
Lead major negotiations, supplier allocation and
Finance-validated savings delivery .
Drive
alternate-source programmes end to end
through qualification, implementation and realised P&L; benefit.




Lead and develop senior procurement professionals while remaining hands-on in key commercial decisions.
Help shape the future capability and operating model of the global API procurement function.
Candidate Profile
Recent
Head-level or equivalent ownership
of a major API procurement portfolio.
Personal responsibility for approximately
€100m+ annual API spend, with strong candidates from around
€80m+
also considered.
Strong experience purchasing
finished APIs, ideally within generic pharmaceuticals.
Direct supplier experience across
Europe, India and China .
Proven delivery of recurring, implemented and Finance-validated savings.
End-to-end experience implementing
alternate API sources, beyond supplier scouting alone.
Formal leadership of senior procurement/category professionals across geographies.
Strong commercial understanding of areas such as
PPV, EBITDA, Budget, forecasting, working capital and savings pipelines .
Able to operate strategically while remaining hands-on in a lean organisation.
Particularly Relevant BackgroundsCandidates are likely to come from
generic or established pharmaceutical manufacturers
with substantial small-molecule API portfolios.
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a strategically critical global category,
build something meaningful and leave a lasting impact
on cost competitiveness, supply resilience and patient access to affordable medicines.

📌 Global Head, Api Procurement (Alcobendas)
🏢 Leading International Pharmaceutical Organisation
📍 Alcobendas