Vendor Operations Manager - GBS

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com.

Astellas’ Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are strategically located sites that give Astellas the ability to access talent across various functions in the value chain and to co-locate core capabilities that are currently dispersed. Our three GCCs are located in India, Poland and Mexico.

The GCCs will enhance our operational efficiency, resilience and innovation potential, enabling a timely response to changing business demands.

Our GCCs are an integral part of Astellas, guided by our shared values and behaviors, and are critical enablers of the company’s strategic priorities, sustainable growth, and commitment to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients

Purpose and Scope:

The Vendor Operations Manager will be responsible for the operational oversight of strategic vendors delivering professional services to the Global Business Solutions. This role acts as the operational interface between the vendors and internal Astellas functions such as DigitalX, Procurement, and Finance, ensuring seamless execution of vendor-related activities, budget adherence, performance monitoring, and implementation of change requests.

This position complements the strategic oversight provided by the Vendor Relationship Lead and plays a critical role in executing the vendor strategy at the operational level.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Operational Vendor Management: Monitor and ensure day-to-day delivery of services from professional services vendors in line with agreed SLAs and KPIs. Act as the main operational point of contact for vendor issue resolution and escalation. Coordinate and manage the operational governance framework, including agenda and documentation for governance meetings. Track and manage contractually agreed deliverables and milestones.

Performance & Reporting: Collect, analyse, and report on vendor performance metrics (SLA, OKR, customer satisfaction). Support Quarterly Business Reviews and Monthly Operational Reviews with vendors. Identify underperformance trends and initiate corrective actions or continuous improvement initiatives in collaboration with vendors.

Change Management & Operational Improvements: Coordinate and implement change requests and service enhancements with vendors and internal stakeholders. Drive process improvements in vendor-related operations, ensuring alignment with internal compliance and audit requirements. Support onboarding/offboarding processes for vendor-related activities.

Budget & Financial Oversight: Own the operational budget tracking and forecasting process for vendors under scope. Liaise with Finance and Procurement to support purchase order management, invoice reconciliation, and cost optimization initiatives. Support cost-saving initiatives through operational efficiency and vendor performance optimization.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Act as liaison with DigitalX, Finance, Legal, Procurement, and other stakeholders to align vendor services with evolving business needs. Ensure compliance with internal policies, procurement processes, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations, or a related field.

Vendor Operations Expertise: Minimum 5 years of experience in vendor management, procurement operations, shared services, or BPO delivery, with a strong operational focus.

Performance Management: Solid understanding and hands-on experience with SLA, KPI, and OKR frameworks to monitor and improve vendor performance.

Financial Acumen: Proven ability to manage budgets, perform financial tracking, and ensure cost control in vendor environments.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to effectively engage and align with diverse stakeholders across functions such as DigitalX, Finance, and Procurement in an international, matrixed setting.

Tools Proficiency: Advanced working knowledge of tools such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and operational platforms like ServiceNow, SAP, or similar systems.

Communication & Coordination: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to document processes and coordinate complex operational tasks across teams.

Core Behaviours: High attention to detail, ownership of deliverables, and a proactive, problem-solving mindset.

Preferred Qualifications:

Industry Experience: Experience working in pharma, healthcare, or other highly regulated industries.

Process Improvement: Lean/Six Sigma certification or practical experience driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Contract & Lifecycle Management: Familiarity with contract lifecycle management tools and processes.

Technology Awareness: Understanding of AI, automation, or digital enablement technologies in the context of vendor operations.

Cultural Fluency: Experience working with culturally diverse teams or within Japanese/global organizations.

Agile Exposure: Understanding of Agile principles and their application in operational vendor management environments.

Category

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans