Strategic Sourcing Associate Director, Cell And Gene Therapy Raw Materials (Hybrid)

Job Description

General Summary:

As the Associate Director of Strategic Sourcing for Cell and Gene Therapy, you will be a part of a fast-growing and innovative organization at the company's world headquarters in Boston, MA. The Department is committed to a trusting and collaborative culture where we value growth and development. We engage proactively with our stakeholders to truly understand their needs and deliver results for our company and for patients. If you are looking for an entrepreneurial, hands-on, team-oriented environment where you can have a big impact, then this is the right place for you!

The Cell and Gene Therapy Sourcing Associate Director for Raw Materials is a key leadership role responsible for some raw materials sourcing categories. Raw materials which are essential for the production of cell and gene therapy products. This position requires a deep understanding of raw material technology, functionality, specifications, supplier landscapes, and industry regulations to ensure the uninterrupted supply of high-quality materials with competitive price.

The role will be responsible for partnering with the business, defining category strategy and goals and driving value beyond savings including cost savings targets, in collaboration with the Business Units and Finance, and takes full ownership and responsibility for execution. You will support the on-going management of key strategic suppliers to drive continuous improvement, resolve complex supply issues, and identify new opportunities that drive exceptional value to Vertex, and ultimately our patients. You will be a lifelong learner who has a high degree of curiosity, adaptability, and strives to continually expand beyond the scope of your area of responsibility as part of self-development.

This role will have high visibility across the organization. As such, the leader must be comfortable and adept in effectively communicating with Senior Executive leaders.

Execution responsibilities include market analysis and due-diligence, RFx development, negotiation, competitive price and cost analysis, financial analysis and long term planning, contract development and on-going supplier management and risk management. Additional focus on optimization of internal sourcing processes, workflows and interfaces in effort to reduce time of delivery and costs in support corporate objectives and industry best practices.

This position is based in our Boston, MA office, located in the Seaport area. This role requires a hybrid work schedule: 3 days in office & 2 days remote on a weekly basis. The role is global and will require some travel to other facilities in order to establish / maintain key business stakeholder and supplier relationships as well as to support specific strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strong business partnering acumen to develop trusting and influential relationships with stakeholders, understand business objectives and challenges, bring supplier and marketplace expertise, collaborate on multi-year strategic and operational plans, and drive business outcomes.

• Global responsibility for Category Management including the development and management of category and sourcing strategies, management of strategic supplier relationship and performance management, in addition to tactical RFx activities.

• Sourcing Strategy Development, Develop and execute sourcing strategies for raw materials used in cell and gene therapy manufacturing. Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers capable of meeting quality, cost, and supply requirements.

• Supplier Relationship Management, Build and maintain strong relationships with raw material suppliers. Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing agreements to secure favorable terms while ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.

• Risk Mitigation, Assess and mitigate risks associated with the raw material and suppliers, including supply chain disruptions, quality issues, and regulatory compliance. Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing options to minimize potential impact on production schedules.

• Collaborate with business stakeholders and suppliers extensively on developing and implementing risk and resiliency strategies to ensure continuity of supply for innovative product pipeline, and expanding market footprint

• Cost Optimization, Drive cost optimization initiatives through supplier negotiations, volume leverage, and process improvements. Identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising product quality or reliability of supply.

• Cross-functional Collaboration, Work closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, external manufacturing, quality control, vendor quality and regulatory affairs, to align sourcing activities with production schedules, product specifications, and regulatory requirements.

• Market Analysis, Stay informed about market trends, supplier capabilities, and emerging technologies related to raw materials for cell and gene therapy manufacturing. Conduct market analysis and supplier assessments to identify new opportunities and risks.

• Collaborate with internal quality assurance and regulatory teams to establish and maintain robust supplier quality management processes. Ensure that raw material suppliers meet or exceed quality standards, including adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and other relevant regulations.

• Continuous Improvement, Implement continuous improvement initiatives to streamline sourcing processes, enhance efficiency, and drive operational excellence. Leverage data analytics and performance metrics to monitor supplier performance and identify areas for improvement.

• Budget, LRP support and COGS understanding, Support the yearly budget process. Provide RM est cost and YOY trend and forecast to LRP (Long term planning). Evaluate Bill Of material (BOM) and understand total COGs to identify risks and opportunities.

• Monitor and report on personal and team goals to management and relevant stockholder. Meet performance expectation and committed timeline within sourcing, business and suppliers. Maintain a tracking tool with the relevant information and status.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to influence Sr. Leadership to drive Sourcing's value; gained a "Seat at the table" with stakeholders

• Deep understanding of Category Management within specific areas of expertise; able to manage and drive all aspects of Strategic Sourcing including strategy development, RFx execution, negotiation, contract execution, supplier performance management, and business stakeholder management.

• Viewed as resource within their category(ies) by Business Partners; able to bring new ideas and information that create tangible value to business.

• Expertise in complex supplier negotiations and supplier management activities.

• Strong analytical capabilities (data analysis and benchmarking research) as well as PowerPoint skills; expertise working with data analytical/reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, etc. Able to generate necessary data and reports to support their activities.

• Sound understanding and demonstrated use of Continuous Improvement tools (including Pareto Charts, Flow Diagrams, etc.) to drive process improvements.

• Strong project management and organizational skills. Able to create detailed project plans, including an understanding of dependencies as well as critical path elements for larger, more involved projects.

• Able to lead teams in collaborative manner to drive successful outcomes. Collaboration extends beyond Business Partners and suppliers to include other functional areas including Legal, Compliance, Finance and more.

• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal); able to clearly articulate opinions in concise and persuasive manner. Comfortable speaking in front of groups and/or leading meetings that may include Senior-level Management personnel.

• Deep knowledge and understanding of contract law, including all terms and conditions; seen as a trusted partner from Legal colleagues to provide valuable insight into potential contractual risks across all applicable types of Agreements (i.e. Confidential Disclosure Agreement, Master Services Agreements, etc.).

• Ability to work in collaborative, team environment; ability to cultivate and maintain effective business partner relationships through earned respect and trust

• Ability to manage several projects while ensuring deliverables are fully met on-time, including more complex and involved projects. Once given direction, able to work autonomously with minimal support/direction from their Manager.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, strong knowledge of ERP systems, and related e-Sourcing tools, including business intelligence and reporting platforms.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, with a focus on raw materials for Cell and Gene therapy or biologic in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.

• Deep understanding of raw material specifications, quality requirements, and regulatory standards relevant to cell and gene therapy manufacturing.

• Proven track record of negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and driving cost savings initiatives.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and levels of the organization.

• Familiarity with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and best practices in the pharmaceutical industry, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and ISO standards.

• Ability to travel as needed to meet with suppliers, visit manufacturing facilities, and attend industry conferences and events.

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Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com.