Enterprise Process Expert – Direct Purchasing

Enterprise Process Expert – Direct Purchasing 

The Axial Programme (Global S/4HANA implementation) 

We are one purpose-led global organisation. The enablers and innovators, ensuring that we can fulfil our mission to push the boundaries of science and discover and develop life-changing medicines. We take pride in working close to the cause, opening the locks to save lives, ultimately making a massive difference to the outside world. 

AstraZeneca (AZ) is in a period of strong growth and our employees have a united purpose to make a difference to patients around the world who need both our medicines and the ongoing developments from our science. In this journey AZ must continue to work across borders and with partners and new colleagues in a fast and seamless way. The ambition, size and complexity of the organisation, coupled with the opportunities afforded by new technology, has led the Board to approve a large-scale transformation programme – Axial. 

The Axial Programme will be powered by S/4HANA a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system which will be implemented right across the organisation and will provide our business with standardised processes, enhanced financial management, common data and real time reporting, transforming the way we work through our entire supply chain - from bench to patient. 

The new system will be used by more than 20,000 employees daily, is foundational to all AZ entities and is central to most core business processes. This is a once in a generation programme for AstraZeneca and will shape our ways of working globally for many years to come. 

The Axial programme needs the best talent to work in it. Whether it’s the technical skills, business understanding or change leadership, we want to ensure we have the strongest team deployed throughout. We are aiming to deliver a world class change programme that leaves all employees with a fuller understanding of their role in the end-to-end nature of our global company. This programme will provide AZ with a competitive edge, to the benefit of our employees, customers and patients. 

The Enterprise Process Expert will be responsible for supporting the development and delivery of Direct Purchasing and ‘Operating Technologies’ associated within the Procurement, Materials Management & Accounts Payable Team. With a focus on the exploitation of SAP (S/4 HANA) capability to realise the defined processes. 

In this role, you will provide expert knowledge to support the Enterprise Process Lead, delivering business processes that are aligned to the strategic direction set by the Enterprise Process Owner ensuring that the Capability enables the future needs of the business. 

What you’ll do  

• Act as a source of knowledge in the processes associated with Direct Purchasing, defining and communicating current and future business processes and improvement opportunities 

• Support the development of new strategies to improve business processes and ensure business continuity to meet current and future business requirements 

• Network with colleagues across the business to identify improvement opportunities and future business requirements 

• Collaborate with the Programme and Business Data Teams to define the data requirements for the processes, analytics and reporting alongside supporting data cleansing activities 

• Become a member of a Team of Experts to define globally standardised and repeatable processes, adopting standard use of S/4HANA and minimising the need for local technical and/or Process Customisation. 

• Enable cross-functional sharing of business improvement ideas by ensuring adequate systems and processes  

• Co-ordinates the development and presentation of best options or working models to enhance business continuity or improve business performance 

• Ensure that the process is documented to the appropriate level of detail including SOPs are trained and in place with users. 

Essential for the role:  

• Significant experience of all processes relating to purchasing of direct materials 

• Detailed understanding of Master Data requirements 

• Demonstrated ability to successfully deliver IT and/or business change across multiple locations and/or business functions 

• Demonstrated ability to develop and/or support adoption of globally harmonised business processes 

• Strong communication and relationship building skills with an ability to influence others to achieve objectives 

• Ability to interpret and communicate technical information into business language 

• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team 

Join AstraZeneca and help us deliver life-changing medicines. Be among our employees who continue to make us an innovation-driven company that stands firmly among the world’s leaders in biopharmaceuticals. APPLY! 

Date Posted

23-mar-2026

Closing Date

11-kwi-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.