The Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for defining and executing a global procurement strategy that delivers sustainable value, cost optimization, and operational excellence across the enterprise. This role oversees all procurement activities—including Direct (Buy/Sell categories) and Indirect spend—ensuring alignment with corporate objectives on quality, cost, service, sustainability, and innovation.

As the strategic leader of the procurement function, the CPO will establish world-class supplier partnerships, negotiate complex global agreements, and implement best-in-class procurement practices. This position requires a visionary leader who can anticipate market trends, mitigate supply chain risks, and leverage emerging technologies to deliver long-term value.

The CPO will lead a global team of procurement professionals, fostering a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. This leader will partner closely with the CEO, COO, CFO, and other senior executives to ensure procurement strategies support broader business objectives, including profitability, growth, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute a comprehensive global procurement strategy for all categories.
• Establish short- and long-term plans to achieve cost savings, working capital improvements, and productivity goals.
• Partner with executive leadership to align procurement objectives with overall business strategy.

Direct Procurement

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key material suppliers and tolling partners.
• Lead global procurement initiatives, including supplier qualification, RFI/RFQ processes, negotiations, and contract management.
• Drive aggressive cost savings and value creation through supplier leverage and integration.
• Monitor industry trends, commodity markets, and emerging technologies to mitigate risk and capitalize on opportunities.

Indirect Procurement

• Define sourcing strategies for indirect commodities and services, ensuring alignment with business needs.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with vendors, ensuring compliance with quality standards and cost objectives.
• Implement governance, metrics, and policies to track and realize savings goals.

Organizational Leadership

• Lead and develop a global procurement organization, including Directors, Managers, and Supervisors.
• Create organizational structures and staffing plans to support strategic objectives.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Marketing, Operations, Finance, and other corporate functions to optimize profitability and achieve strategic goals.
• Support adjacent functions in implementing procurement strategies and supplier programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 20+ years of progressive procurement or supply chain management experience, with at least 10 years in senior leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in global procurement strategy development and execution across Direct and Indirect categories.
• Proven ability to lead large, complex organizations with multi-regional teams and budgets exceeding $1B+.
• Experience managing strategic supplier relationships, contract negotiations, and risk mitigations at an enterprise level.
• Track record of delivering transformational cost savings, operational efficiencies, and innovation initiatives.
• Exhibit significant executive presence to calmly navigate high-pressure environments at every level of Avantor and within customer and supplier organizations.
• Strong demonstrated presentation skills, including an ability to distill and clearly communicate complex concepts into easily understandable narratives.
• Display substantial organizational sensitivity and savvy to involve, engage, and convince internal or external leadership teams to adopt product, innovation, and commercial strategies.
• Experience managing mergers and acquisitions from due diligence through integration.

Executive Competencies:

• Visionary Leadership: Ability to set long-term strategic direction and influence at the C-suite level.
• Global Mindset: Skilled in navigating diverse markets, cultures, and regulatory environments.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of P&L impact, working capital optimization, and cost modeling.
• Change Management: Expertise in driving organizational transformation and building high-performance cultures. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional ability to collaborate with executive leadership, boards, and external partners.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Culturally aware and knowledgeable of how to operate in diverse global geographies.
• Comfortable working across all levels and functions.
• Superior skills in strategic analysis, planning, organizing, and communication.
• Strong understanding of financial and accounting metrics and tools.
• Superior interpersonal skills.
• Significant background in influencing internal stakeholders in a matrix environment.
• Significant experience in leading large, complex negotiations.
• Able to plan and execute complex projects.
• Travel up to 50%.

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
 
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
 
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.