Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease.  A Japan-based company, our goal is to translate science into smiles by delivering therapies where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, North Carolina, and Mississauga, Ontario.

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement process to meet daily and weekly purchasing needs for Manufacturing.

You will create and review Purchase Requisitions and Purchase Orders. You will onboard new vendors, enter and track contract requests in the Legal database, and purchase goods and services on time to support operational continuity. You will ensure full compliance with company policies and procedures, maintain audit readiness, and provide documentation to auditors. You will drive cost efficiency, identify savings opportunities, and deliver measurable results.

You will maintain master data in collaboration with the Supply Chain Planner, including Bill of Materials, Item Masters, Vendor Masters, and pricing setup. You will engage with internal and external stakeholders, navigate multiple procurement and ERP systems, and monitor purchasing performance and delivery through regular reporting and analysis.

As an individual contributor, you will take a compassionate and people-focused approach to your work. You will proactively collaborate with others to create a supportive and inclusive environment, always acting in line with the organization’s values. By using strong interpersonal skills, you will work effectively with diverse viewpoints, manage relationships thoughtfully, and make decisions that meet both individual and team needs. You will be accountable for delivering results, adapting to challenges, and helping achieve business goals. Additionally, you will take ownership of your tasks, act with initiative, and continuously seek opportunities to learn and grow. You will handle change with resilience and clarity, staying flexible in a fast-paced environment while keeping the needs of patients at the center of your efforts.

This role reports into the Director Procurement Manufacturing

Responsibilities: 
•    Create and manage all Sanford Manufacturing purchase requisitions and purchase orders to ensure policy compliance and timely delivery of goods and services. 
•    Verify correctness and completeness of vendor records, and manage onboarding in D365 and the Legal database with appropriate documentation.
•    Collaborate with Supply Chain Planning to ensure accuracy of item master and vendor master data for material purchasing. 
•    Prepare, execute, and track all site purchasing activities in coordination with the Director of Procurement to meet purchasing requirements on time. 
•    Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies and procedures, and provide audit documentation as needed. 
•    Identify, escalate, and track legal and compliance issues, and report them through appropriate channels. 
•    Manage procurement costs within budget and deliver targeted cost savings through strategic purchasing decisions.
•    Maintain real-time visibility into site procurement activities by providing daily updates on open and pending requests to ensure accuracy, accountability, and operational alignment. 
•    Drive timely execution by sending proactive follow-ups and reminders to internal stakeholders and vendors, keeping deliverables and approvals on track. 
•    Enter and manage Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs) and contracts in the Legal database, ensuring completeness and traceability. 
•    Provide guidance and training on procurement processes and best practices to colleagues, fostering cross-functional understanding and promoting consistent, compliant execution across the site.
•    Troubleshoot ordering issues and collaborate with internal partners to resolve root causes and prevent future disruptions. 
•    Engage stakeholders across functions and levels to address procurement needs, resolve issues, and align on priorities. 
•    Identify risks within the procurement process and implement mitigation strategies to ensure continuity and compliance. 
•    Leverage multiple platforms to manage procurement workflows efficiently and maintain data accuracy. 
•    Collaborate with cross-functional teams on short-term and long-term projects that impact daily procurement operations. 

Individual contributor, with responsibility to lead or work with cross-functional project teams.

Education
•    Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related discipline is required. 
•    Advanced coursework or professional certifications such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management), or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) is preferred, but not required.

Experience
•    Minimum of 3–5 years of demonstrated experience in procurement, supply chain, or a related field. 
•    Proven ability to work independently, manage complex tasks, troubleshoot issues, and contribute to process improvements. 
•    Experience with starting up and operating a biopharma manufacturing facility is a plus.

Technical Skills
•    Proficiency in ERP systems and ability to run and interpret data analytics for procurement decisions. 
•    Strong skills in Microsoft Dynamics 365, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. 
•    Knowledge of procurement best practices, contract management, and risk mitigation strategies.

Non-Technical Skills
•    Results-oriented and able to navigate ambiguity.
•    Set clear outcomes, track progress, follow through on commitments, and ensure actions lead to measurable results that advance organizational objectives.
•    Respond promptly, take accountability, and manage tasks efficiently.
•    Adapt to change with clarity, patience, and understanding, guiding teams through evolving challenges.
•    Exhibit strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid work ethic while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and the ability to foster alignment in a global environment.
•    Communicate with care by actively listening and considering others' perspectives, fostering productive, engaging interactions, and managing relationships with kindness.
•    Embrace personal growth through continuous learning and knowledge sharing, maintaining a growth mindset.
•    Promote inclusive collaboration by respecting diverse perspectives and creating a welcoming work environment.
•    Contribute positively by recognizing achievements and encouraging a healthy work-life balance.
•    Collaborate with respect, integrity, and humility, prioritizing collective success over individual gain.
•    Resourceful and proactive, challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and develop creative solutions.
•    Apply an enterprise-wide, holistic mindset, working beyond siloed thinking to deliver cohesive, integrated solutions.

Must be able to work in a regulated manufacturing environment, including construction/start-up phases, with appropriate PPE. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law.

This position is based on-site in Sanford, NC. Other standard company policies for flexible work arrangements do not apply to this role. 

Initially working on a construction site and ultimately in a biotech manufacturing site in Sanford, NC.

Work is 100% on-site.  This is not a hybrid or remote role.  

Requires up to 10% domestic and limited international travel. 

The anticipated salary for this position will be $89,300 to $116,600.  The actual salary offered for this role at commencement of employment may vary based on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, education (including applicable licenses and certifications, job-based knowledge, location, and other business and organizational needs.

The listed salary is just one component of the overall compensation package. At Kyowa Kirin North America we provide a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• 401K with company matching
• Discretionary Profit Sharing
• Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
• Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs, Sick Days and, Volunteer Days
• Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs and Vision)
• HSA & FSA Programs
• Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
• Long-Term Incentives
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Concierge Service
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Referral Awards

The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

When you apply to a job on this site, the personal data contained in your application will be collected and stored by Kyowa Kirin, Inc. (“Controller”), which is located at 510 Carnegie Center Dr. Princeton, NJ 08540 USA and can be contacted by emailing kkus.talentacquisition.8h@kyowakirin.com. Controller’s data protection officer can be contacted at usprivacyoffice@kyowakirin.com. Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of managing Controller’s recruitment related activities, which include setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants, evaluating and assessing the results thereto, and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes. Such processing is legally permissible under Art. 6(1)(f) of General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) as necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Controller, which are the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of applicants for employment. 

Your personal data will be shared with Greenhouse Software, Inc., a cloud services provider located in the United States of America and engaged by Controller to help manage its recruitment and hiring process on Controller’s behalf. Accordingly, if you are located outside of the United States, your personal data will be transferred to the United States once you submit it through this site. The transfer will be made using appropriate additional safeguards under the standard contractual clauses approved by regulators for transfers of personal data outside the European Union.

Your personal data will be retained by Controller as long as Controller determines it is necessary to evaluate your application for employment.  Under the GDPR, if you are located in the European Union, you have the right to request access to your personal data, to request that your personal data be rectified or erased, and to request that processing of your personal data be restricted. You also have the right to data portability, and to lodge a complaint with an EU supervisory authority. If you have any questions about our use of your data, you may contact us by email at usprivacyoffice@kyowakirin.com.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies

Kyowa Kirin does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Kyowa Kirin Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Kyowa Kirin employees or any other company location; Kyowa Kirin is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

#LI-SH1