Plastics Engineer

Job Description

The Procurement Specialist Plastic Items & Drug Delivery Devices will be responsible for strategic sourcing, supplier management, cost optimization, and contract negotiations for critical plastic components and drugdelivery systems used in pharmaceutical products. This role requires deep technical understanding of pharma devices, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to manage global suppliers while ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory and quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Develop and execute category strategies for plastic items and drugdelivery devices aligned with business and lifecycle needs.
• Lead endtoend procurement activities including supplier identification, RFQ/RFP processes, commercial evaluation, and contracts award.
• Manage sourcing for highcomplexity components and systems including:
• Disposable and reusable pen devices
• Onbody drug delivery devices (wearable injectors)
• Plastic needle guards
• Prefilled syringes (PFS)
• Syringes and associated plastic components
• Ensure continuity of supply for commercial, clinical, and development programs.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with global suppliers of pharmagrade plastics and devices.
• Lead commercial negotiations, including pricing, tooling costs, longterm supply agreements, and indexation models.
• Negotiate and manage contracts covering supply, quality, confidentiality, and intellectual property.
• Drive dualsourcing and riskmitigation strategies to strengthen supply resilience.

Technical & CrossFunctional Collaboration

• Work closely with R&D, Packaging Development, Device Development, Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Program Management teams.
• Participate in designtocost, shouldcost modeling, and valueengineering initiatives.
• Support technology transfer, scaleup, and lifecycle management of device platforms.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities related to injection molding, precision plastics, assembly, sterilization, and cleanroom manufacturing.

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure suppliers meet GMP, ISO 13485, FDA, EMA, and other relevant regulatory standards.
• Support supplier audits, change controls, and deviation management in collaboration with Quality teams.
• Proactively identify and mitigate supply, quality, and cost risks throughout the product lifecycle.

Cost & Performance Management

• Deliver yearonyear cost savings/value creation through negotiations, productivity improvements, and design optimization.
• Track and improve supplier performance using KPIs related to cost, quality, delivery, and innovation.
• Manage spend visibility, budgeting, and forecasting for the category.

Key Skills & Competencies

Technical & Category Expertise

• Indepth understanding of pharmaceutical drugdelivery devices, including:
• Strong knowledge of plastic materials, tooling, injection molding, assembly processes, and sterilization methods relevant to pharma use.

Commercial & Negotiation Skills

• Proven expertise in highvalue commercial negotiations and longterm supply agreements.
• Strong financial acumen including cost breakdowns, shouldcost analysis, and TCO modeling.
• Experience managing global supplier portfolios and complex contracts.

Behavioral & Leadership Skills

• Excellent stakeholder management and crossfunctional collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical, problemsolving, and decisionmaking abilities.
• Ability to operate independently in a fastpaced, regulated environment.

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Plastic Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline (Masters preferred).
• 812 years of relevant procurement experience specifically within:
• Pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, or medical device industries
• Sourcing and negotiating plastic items and drugdelivery devices
• Demonstrated experience working with global suppliers and regulated manufacturing environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting combination products or deviceled drug programs.
• Familiarity with design control and product development processes.
• Exposure to sustainability initiatives related to plastics and medical devices.