Christoph Buerki

Global Head Procurement & CDMO | Former Global CFO Manufacturing & Supply | Transformation, Operational Excellence & Strategic Partnerships

Basel, Basel, Switzerland

About

Senior executive with 20+ years of experience in the global pharmaceutical industry, leading large-scale transformation across Finance, Operations, Procurement, and CDMO. I’ve held international CFO roles in Japan, Europe, and Latin America, building strong teams, driving business performance, and shaping long‑term strategy across multiple markets and functions. From 2018 to 2025, I served as Global CFO for Manufacturing & Supply, later adding responsibilities as Head of CMO (2021) and CFO Operations (2022). In these roles, I led enterprise-wide performance initiatives focused on operational excellence, innovation, digital enablement, and the expansion of our global CDMO footprint. Since August 2025, I’ve taken on the role of Global Head Procurement & CDMO, where I’m focused on advancing strategic partnering, elevating procurement as a value engine, and strengthening our CDMO capabilities to support Novartis’ long‑term growth and innovation agenda.

Experience

  • Novartis (25 yrs 7 mos)
    • Global Head Procurement & CDMO
      Aug 2025 - Present · 1 yr

      As Head of Global Procurement & CDMO at Novartis, I lead a global organization managing more than $12 billion in annual indirect spend, focused on unlocking enterprise value through strategic sourcing, innovation, and disciplined compliance. Our mission is to drive sustainable impact across the company by strengthening partnerships, accelerating transformation, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and performance for the patients we ultimately serve. In parallel, I oversee our global CDMO business, maximizing internal manufacturing capacity and capabilities to deliver high-quality services and solutions to partners worldwide. Through this integrated mandate, I ensure we leverage our scale, expertise, and operational excellence to support Novartis’ long-term growth and scientific ambition.

    • Chief Financial Officer Operations & Head CDMO
      Apr 2022 - Jul 2025 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      Leading the newly created unit of Operations as CFO which covers Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sourcing, IT, Facility Management and internal Consulting Services for entire Novartis. In addition I am heading the Contract Manufacturing Unit within Technical Operations.

    • Head Finance & CMO TechOps
      Oct 2021 - Apr 2022 · 7 mos

  • Internal Auditor at Credit Suisse First Boston
    Oct 1997 - May 1998 · 8 mos