Strategic Sourcing Specialist
Full-time Permanent
CityWest
Role Purpose
The Strategic Sourcing Specialist is responsible for sourcing medicine shortages within the Irish market and managing both retail-specific and hospital-specific product requirements.
This role supports a key strategic pillar for the business by:
Ensuring continuity of supply for critical medicines
Securing reliable sourcing routes
Supporting hospital demand and urgent requirements
Take ownership of proactively following up with stakeholders to maintain momentum and drive timely decisions
Leverage internal stakeholders to support opportunity assessment, product identification, and rapid execution of sourcing solutions
The role is operational, hands-on, and execution-focused, delivering timely, compliant, and commercially viable sourcing solutions in a fast paced, every changing environment.
Core Responsibilities
1. Shortages & New Product Sourcing
Lead sourcing of medicines within the Irish market
Identify compliant and viable supply routes and alternatives
Monitor signals from HPRA, wholesalers, hospitals, and internal teams
Proactively identify emerging shortages
Develop relationships with Manufacturers, Hospitals and key internal stakeholders
2. Retail & Hospital Support & Escalations
Manage bespoke hospital requests end-to-end
Support urgent escalations and critical drug requirements
Work closely with:
Provide clear updates and shortage intelligence to stakeholders
Collaborate on pricing/commercial decisions (which will be supported by wider Procurement and Commercial team)
Ensure key actions and decisions remain visible, with proactive follow-up to prevent delays and maintain stakeholder accountability
3. Supplier Management
Maintain a focused network of shortage suppliers
Build strong relationships with specialist suppliers, both internally and externally
Have the ability to react quickly and execute plans embracing flexibility and creative solutions
Become a subject expert on UK market in particular, but also broaden the Dept knowledge of the international medicine landscape
4. Stock Ownership
Manage stock levels to ensure availability
Monitor stock value within agreed guidelines
Identify and manage stock-at-risk:
Expiry
Slow-moving lines
Demand shifts
Work with Commercial Team (KAMs & Hospital/Retail Management) to determine reinvestment qtys
Work with the Finance Team to determine risk levels associated with stock
5. Execution & Responsiveness
Drive rapid sourcing timelines
Target quick turnaround on supplier engagement (e.g. initial quotes)
Ensure fastest viable supply routes are pursued
Assess margin vs additional transport costs vs reputational impact
6. Data & Reporting
Maintain KPI reporting on:
Shortage sourcing
Hospital fulfilment
Turnaround times
Supplier performance
Report weekly on:
Stock levels
Stock value
Stock-at-risk
Stock to reinvest
Use data and market intelligence to identify trends and risks.
Report monthly to Finance regarding stock at risk.
7. Communication Ownership
Commercial awareness is very much expected in this role however this role is not solely accountable for this. Working in partnership with key stakeholders will support the development of commercial awareness and promote shared accountability.
Strong clinical knowledge is preferred for this role; however, it should not come at the expense of commercial capability.
Our Vision
What we strive to do
Our Mission Why we exist Improve patient access to pharmaco-medical products and therapies
Our Mission
Why we exist
We are focused on improving patient access to pharmaco-medical products and treatments by enhancing connectivity between manufacturers and healthcare stakeholder
Our Shared Values
How we work
Patient First -The patient is always at the centre of everything we do.
Customer Partnership - We stay close to our customers who trust us to deliver.
Team Players We work together as one team to deliver solutions.
Commercial Focus We stay agile, responsive and focused on the goal.
Innovative and Entrepreneurial We focus on bringing new solutions to challenges.
Our Global Footprint - Enables us to offer flexible ways of working, allowing employees to be based in one of our offices or work remotely where the nature of the role permits. While occasional travel and in-person meetings may be required, some flexibility in working hours may also be needed to collaborate effectively with colleagues and clients across different time zones. In return, you'll join an organisation that recognises the importance of balancing professional and personal commitments. Through our flexible working culture, we foster a balanced, progressive, and supportive environment that empowers our people to perform at their best while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
