Strategic Sourcing, Associate Director (Cell & Gene Therapy and Biologics)

Associate Director of Strategic Sourcing for Cell and Gene Therapy

As the Associate Director of Strategic Sourcing for Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) and Biologics, 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 role is responsible for raw materials and CDMO sourcing categories, essential to produce cell and gene therapy products and biologic therapies. This position requires a solid understanding of knowledge of raw material technology, functionality, specifications, supplier and CDMO landscapes, and industry regulations to ensure robust partnership, the uninterrupted supply of high-quality and on timely service support / materials with competitive price.

You will collaborate with the business, to define and drive appropriate category strategies, and extract value. You will support the 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 are 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 has high visibility across the organization, so the ability to effectively communicate with Senior Executive leaders is crucial.

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 role requires a hybrid work schedule : 3 days in office, 2 days remote on a weekly basis. This role will require some travel (up to 10%) to other facilities to establish / maintain key business stakeholder and supplier relationships as well as to support specific strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities :

• Business Partnering develop strong, trusting, and influential relationships with stakeholders, understand business objectives, bring supplier and marketplace expertise, collaborate on multi-year strategic and operational plans, and drive business outcomes.
• Global Category Management - including the development and management of category and sourcing strategies, management of strategic supplier relationships and performance management, in addition to tactical RFx activities.
• Sourcing Strategy Development Co-develop and implement sourcing strategies with the business unit to enable development and commercialization of cell and gene therapy / biologics products. This includes identifying and selecting raw material and CDMO suppliers, negotiating contracts, influencing network strategy and managing supplier relationships.
• Supplier Relationship Management Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key CDMO / suppliers. Negotiate contracts / agreements to ensure timely delivery of favorable terms while ensuring compliance with quality materials and services. Collaborate with suppliers to identify opportunities for risk mitigation, build resilience, cost savings, process improvements, standards and innovation. Build and partner with external manufacturing, supply chain and process development teams to maintain the relevant governance with the suppliers.
• Risk Mitigation - Assess and mitigate risks associated with the supply chain for cell and gene therapy products. Proactively identify potential disruptions and develop contingency / resiliency plans to ensure continuity 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.
• 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.
• Financials Support annual budget process. Provide cost guidance to inform to LRP (Long Range Planning). Evaluate Bill of Material (BOMs) and understand total COGs to identify opportunities and risks.

Knowledge and Skills :

Qualifications :

Pay Range : $143,200 - $214,800

Disclosure Statement : The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation : Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status : In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as : 1. Hybrid : work remotely up to two days per week; or select 2. On-Site : work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note : The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex'