Associate director and materials

Job DescriptionGeneral Summary:As the Associate Director of Strategic Sourcing for Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Raw Materials, 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 sourcing categories, essential to produce cell and gene therapy products. This position requires a solid understanding of raw material technology, functionality, specifications, supplier landscapes, and industry regulations to ensure the uninterrupted supply of high-quality materials with competitive price.You will also 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 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, 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 ongoing 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 of 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. This role will require some travel to other facilities to establish/maintain key business stakeholder and supplier relationships as well as to support specific strategic initiatives.Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness 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 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/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/resiliency plans and alternative sourcing options to minimize potential impact on production schedules.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.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 LRP (Long term planning). Evaluate Bill of Material (BOMs) and understand total COGs to identify opportunities and risks.Knowledge And SkillsDeep 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.Expertise in complex supplier negotiations and supplier management activities.Strong analytical capabilities (data analysis and benchmarking research); 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.Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to clearly articulate opinions in concise and persuasive manner. Comfortable with public speaking with various audience levels, including Sr. Management.Strong knowledge and understanding of contract law, including all terms and conditions; seen as a trusted partner from Legal colleagues to provide valuable insight to potential risks across all types of agreements (i.e. CDAs, MSAs, etc).Ability to work in collaborative, team environment; ability to cultivate and maintain effective business partner relationships through earned respect and trust.Proficient in Microsoft Office, strong knowledge of ERP systems, and related e-Sourcing tools, including business intelligence and reporting platforms.QualificationsMinimum 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.Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or an applicable scientific field desired.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.Understanding of raw material specifications, quality requirements, and regulatory standards relevant to cell and gene therapy manufacturing.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.Flex DesignationHybrid-Eligible Or On-Site EligibleFlex Eligibility StatusIn this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or selectOn-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex's Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.Company InformationVertex 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

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