Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing

VitalBio; Oakville; On-site; CAD 198,000 - 241,000; Full time

Job summary

VitalBio in Oakville, Ontario, seeks a strategic sourcing leader to architect and drive global supplier strategies for reagents, plastics, hardware and electronics. You will mentor a high‑performing team, own RFP/RFQ programs, and align sourcing with product requirements across R&D and manufacturing.

The role emphasizes cost optimization, supplier qualification, and continuous improvement within a regulated life-sciences environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, supply chain management, or related field.
• 10+ years sourcing complex reagent BOMs and specialty chemicals in regulated industries.
• 5+ years direct people management with high-performance teams.

Responsibilities

• Architect and execute global strategic sourcing framework for VitalBio.
• Lead supplier selection, RFP/RFQ processes and vendor qualification.
• Negotiate MSAs and SOWs to improve total cost of ownership.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, manufacturing and QA/RA teams.
• Drive cost reduction, risk management, and supplier performance.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Leadership

RFP/RFQ management

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry/biochemistry/supply chain management

Tools

ERP platforms

Vendor management systems

Job description

About you:

You are a strategic, highly driven sourcing leader with proven expertise managing complex component and reagent bills of materials (BOMs) across key technical domains, including specialty hardware, electronics, reagents, and custom plastic molded parts. You are an exceptional people leader who sets high expectations, drives accountability, and inspires a high-performing team. Recognizing that team members possess diverse experience levels and personalities, you maintain a flexible, adaptable leadership approach to meet people where they are and unlock their full potential. You seamlessly shift between high-level strategic framework development and hands‑on, tactical execution when necessary, orchestrating sophisticated RFPs, robust supplier management strategies, and cross‑functional alignment in fast‑paced life sciences or diagnostics environments.

What you’ll do:

• Architect and execute the global strategic sourcing framework for Vital Bio while actively leading and mentoring a high-performing team of domain experts across reagents, chemicals, plastic components, hardware, and electronics.

• Establish high standards of excellence, accountability, and best practices across the strategic sourcing organization.

• Own the global commodity strategy including supplier segmentation, technology roadmaps, and supply risk mitigation.

• Lead supplier selection and initial qualification, design and execute RFP/RFQ processes, comparing suppliers on price, quality, lead time, compliance, and value-added capabilities leveraging technical expertise to evaluate and influence decisions in alignment with product and process requirements.

• Establish and negotiate master supplier agreements (MSAs), statements of work (SOWs) and strategic partnerships that drive total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements, leveraging deep industry knowledge to optimize for key specifications, payment structures, cost, quality, intellectual property, scalability, and supply continuity.

• Deliver measurable outcomes in cost savings, supply assurance, and innovation through strategic sourcing initiatives.

• Oversee supplier qualification, audits, and compliance in partnership with QA/RA teams, ensuring regulatory adherence while enabling innovation.

• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to serve as the leadership liaison, assisting in translating product requirements into clear sourcing priorities. Partner with planning and procurement teams to shape and execute the overall supply chain strategy for reagents and specialty materials, including the transition to ongoing supplier management and procurement activities.

• Proactively identify and partner with assay teams to mitigate supply chain risks (single source, MOQs, shelf life, market volatility, etc.) using scenario planning and contingency strategies.

• Drive continuous cost reduction and process optimization initiatives, applying should‑cost modeling, make‑versus‑buy analysis, and volume leverage tactics.

• Serve as the sourcing subject matter expert (SME) in executive reviews and cross-functional operations forums.

• Champion supplier performance management, including QBRs, KPI tracking, and escalation resolution.

• Build and sustain strong supplier relationships, navigating the nuances of commodity suppliers, strategic partners, and niche specialty vendors, while driving supply assurance, innovation, and long-term value creation.

• Stay current on market trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes that impact reagent sourcing—anticipating their implications for Vital Bio’s needs.

• Support departmental initiatives to optimize quality, cost, time-to-market, and operational resilience.

• Partner with executive leadership to align sourcing strategies with company growth objectives.

• Drive supplier innovation initiatives that contribute to new product development and differentiation.

• Other activities as required

What you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, supply chain management, or a related technical or business field.

• 10+ years’ demonstrated experience sourcing complex reagent BOMs and specialty chemicals in life sciences, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, or related regulated industries.

• 5+ years of direct people management experience with a track record of driving high-performing teams, fostering accountability, and adapting leadership styles to diverse personalities.

• Proven expertise executing RFP/RFQ and contract negotiation processes in a highly technical space.

• Strong knowledge of supplier qualification, onboarding, compliance (ISO, FDA, etc.), and risk management techniques.

• Ability to navigate complex supplier relationships across commodity, specialty, and strategic sourcing models.

• Proven ability to lean back to develop overarching strategic frameworks while remaining willing and able to lean in on tactical execution when needed.

• Demonstrated success in building and executing category strategies with multi-million-dollar impact.

• Experience negotiating with global suppliers in regulated industries, balancing cost, quality, and risk

• Proven ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams while maintaining ownership of strategic sourcing outcomes.

• Driven by opportunities to enhance product performance and reduce total unit cost through strategic sourcing initiatives.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to present to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Bonus points for:

• Experience in diagnostics

• Working proficiency in Mandarin

• Hands‑on familiarity with scaling up supply from prototype through full production.

• Background in vendor management systems or ERP platforms.

• Advanced degree (MBA, MSc) or formal supply chain/sourcing certification.

Why join us:

• Drive sourcing strategies that directly impact the delivery and quality of cutting‑edge diagnostic products.

• Work with a diverse, high-performing team dedicated to innovation, operational excellence, and patient impact.

• Grow your expertise and career in a supportive, fast-paced setting.

• Be part of a company that values your insight, adaptability, and sense of humor.

The expected compensation range for this position is $140,000-$170,000. Compensation will be determined based on the individual’s demonstrated experience, education, training, relevant certifications or licensure, and other applicable business and organizational factors.
This role is a current onsite vacancy.

About Vital

Vital is revolutionizing point-of-care diagnostics with our VitalOne platform, delivering real-time care wherever patients are. Our mission is to democratize health technology, making healthcare more accessible and proactive.

Our global team of experts spans chemistry, software, engineering, and microfluidics. We thrive on change, operate on trust, and value diverse perspectives. Our growth-minded culture empowers front-line decision-making and fosters impactful work.

We seek tenacious, bold individuals ready to transform healthcare. At Vital, your talent will make a difference as we work to ensure everyone has access to care when and where they need it.

Join us in revolutionizing healthcare and making a lasting impact on people's lives.

Vital Biosciences Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We are therefore happy to accommodate any individual needs in keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation in order to participate in our hiring process, please contact us to make your needs known in advance.