Job Description

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection.

With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved sales of CHF 2 billion in 2024. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,200 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers’ success.

The Contract Manufacturing Manager supports the Global Category Director by managing day-to-day execution, performance, and optimization of APAC external manufacturing activities and suppliers. This role focuses on operational excellence, supplier performance management, cost optimization, leverage improvement, supply chain control, and risk mitigation across the subcontract tolling network and purchase for retail (PFR) portfolio. The manager will collaborate cross-functionally to ensure reliable supply, compliance, and delivery of business objectives. This role supports the execution of the procurement strategy and serves as the regional lead of projects for all Arxada’s global business units. This role is designed to drive supplier strategy, unlock value through sourcing projects, and support sustainability and compliance goals across legacy Arxada businesses. This role drives category expertise through an understanding of supply markets/trends, cost drivers and the impact to Arxada’s business model. Works closely with key stakeholders to develop effective contract manufacturing and PFR category strategies that enable step change improvements in quality, service, supply chain resilience, innovation, and sustainable annual cost reductions, and value creation.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement

• Leads and supports execution of procurement strategies for APAC contract manufacturing partners, raw materials & PFR spend.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships, including onboarding and performance management.
• Manage strategic suppliers ensuring contracted volumes, service levels, and commercial terms are met.
• Maintain understanding of tolling cost drivers, market trends, and supplier capabilities.
• Coordinate with Category Director and cross-function teams to align sourcing strategies with business goals and stakeholders on supplier selection, contract renewals, negotiations, and commercial updates.
• Manage strategic projects including supplier consolidation, cost optimization, and supply chain effectiveness.
• Interpret information and translate into actionable strategies and forward-looking analyses.
• Drive sustainability initiatives: supplier code of conduct, EcoVadis ratings, and compliance tracking.

Supply Assurance

• Deeply assess supply base to identify risks of supply disruptions within the supply chain.
• Drive awareness of active supply issues clarifying business impact and lead resolution plans.
• Develop risk management strategies and drive development and implementation of appropriate risk mitigation plans.
• Work closely with business stakeholders to understand business impact, build inventories, communicate forecasts to suppliers, and implement alternate sources of supply where appropriate.
• Maintain knowledge of Approved Suppliers and assist Supplier Quality to execute supplier Quality Agreements.
• Monitor contract manufacturing partner performance, escalating issues & partnering with Supplier Quality for resolution
• Participate in supplier audits, change control reviews, and compliance activities.

Deliver Savings

• Coordinate with key stakeholders to develop cost reduction strategies, project pipelines and implement plans that meet business needs and optimize TCO.
• Plan, lead and execute negotiations of commercial terms and supply agreements.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives, productivity programs, & continuous improvement efforts at contract manufacturing partners
• Monitor Track savings programs in relative financial and sourcing repositories.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Serve as primary day-to-day regional procurement contact for contract manufacturing partners within the Arxada network.
• Support supplier capability assessments, onboarding, performance scorecards, and accountability programs.
• Monitor EHS, Quality, and Operational compliance, escalating risks and driving corrective actions.
• Identify suitable suppliers and evaluate their capabilities, leveraging globally synergy opportunities
• Ensure supplier engagement, specifically for integrated and preferred suppliers.
• Manage escalation of issues with supplier.
• Develop the supplier relationship according to the expectations per supplier segment.
• Review supplier performance and impact in the Arxada Network, manage supplier communication paying particular attention to ESG goals / Quality / Commercial compliance.
• Drive supplier performance, compliance and accountability thru supplier scorecards and performance metrics.

Key requirements:

• Bachelor’s/ Master's degree
• Preferred area of study: Procurement/Supply Chain, Engineering, Chemistry, Finance or Business
• 7+ years of experience in operations, procurement, external manufacturing, or supply chain.
• Experience managing contract manufacturing, tolling or outsourced operations preferred.
• Operations experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with experience in Procurement/Strategic Sourcing.
• Experience in a regulated industry preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in category management and strategic sourcing.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers, projects, and stakeholders simultaneously
• Strong analytical capability and financial acumen.

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas:

Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection.

Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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