Associate Director, Strategic Procurement

Travere Therapeutics; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Travere Therapeutics in Minneapolis seeks Associate Director, Strategic Procurement to oversee strategic sourcing, outsourcing, procurement, and financial stewardship of R&D studies.

You will partner with Clinical Operations, Development, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, and Finance to optimize vendor relationships, manage contracts, and forecast spending. Strong leadership, analytics, and 8+ years in procurement are required; travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business or related field; MBA preferred.
• 8+ years in procurement, outsourcing, contracts, or vendor management.
• Experience in clinical operations or biotech/pharma CROs preferred.
• Strong financial analysis and budgeting skills.
• Experience with CROs and clinical study budgets.

Responsibilities

• Develop outsourcing strategies for R&D aligned with policies.
• Lead supplier selection, RFPs, and bid analysis.
• Manage R&D contracts with internal partners.
• Forecast clinical program spend and monitor budget variances.
• Prepare executive-level reporting on expenditures and KPIs.
• Collaborate with Finance and R&D leadership on long-range planning.
• Travel up to 10% domestically.
• Support monthly and quarterly close activities.

Skills

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/business

MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Agiloft

Coupa

Job description

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Strategic Procurement is responsible for strategic sourcing, outsourcing, procurement, and financial oversight of clinical studies and other Research & Development (R&D) activities. This role serves as a key business partner to Clinical Operations, Development, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, Finance, and other R&D functions, ensuring effective management of external spending, optimization of vendor relationships, and financial stewardship of R&D investments.

Responsibilities

• Develop outsourcing strategies and plans for R&D departments, with focus on Clinical Studies, in alignment with Strategic Procurement policies, corporate objectives, industry best practices and input from internal SMEs.
• Act as lead point of contact for R&D financial needs including procurement.
• Lead competitive sourcing initiatives, RFP development and bid analysis.
• Evaluate outsourcing models and provide recommendations that balance quality, timelines, operational feasibility, and financial impact.
• Provide input into the negotiation of financial business terms and conditions, and manage all R&D contracts in close cooperation with the other departments.
• Support and coordinate discount programs with key vendors.
• Assist in negotiating vendor business terms in contracts such as scope, price, payment terms, and service level agreements.
• Develop and maintain forecasts for clinical programs and other R&D activities, providing visibility into projected spending, risks, and opportunities.
• Monitor actual spending against budget and forecast, identify variances, and provide actionable recommendations to stakeholders.
• Support monthly and quarterly financial close activities, including accrual calculations, invoice forecasting, and budget reconciliation.
• Analyze resource utilization, vendor spend trends, and portfolio investment requirements to support strategic decision‑making.
• Collaborate with Finance and R&D leadership to develop long‑range planning assumptions and multi‑year development cost projections.
• Support the preparation of executive‑level reporting and dashboards on R&D expenditures, study financial performance, vendor spending, and key financial metrics.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that optimize procurement, outsourcing, financial governance, and operational effectiveness.
• Additional duties assigned as needed.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, life science, or related field of study required. Equivalent combination of education and applicable job experience may be considered. MBA preferred.
• 8+ years of relevant work experience in procurement, outsourcing, contracts, vendor management, clinical operations, finance, or related functions.
• 2 years of experience working in a Clinical Research Organization, biotech, or pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing clinical study budgets, forecasting, accruals, and vendor financial performance.
• Experience working with Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) and other clinical service providers required.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial cost drivers, study budgeting methodologies, and R&D financial planning processes preferred.

Additional Skills, Experience, and Requirements

• Embodies Travere's core values: Patient‑Inspired, Courageous, Promote Community, and Stronger Together.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Agiloft, Coupa and other business specific software.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze budgets, forecasts, investment scenarios, and cost drivers across clinical development programs.
• Experience with financial modeling, budget management, variance analysis, and executive financial reporting.
• Proven ability to partner and collaborate effectively cross‑functionally.
• Strong organizational and facilitation skills to synthesize data from multiple sources.
• Well organized with the ability to multitask, prioritize and manage shifting responsibilities in a dynamic, cross‑functional teamwork environment with strong attention to detail.
• Successful record of adhering with complex project plans, timelines.
• Ability to adapt to modification and changes to project plans, demonstrating flexibility to implement new strategies and tactics to accommodate these changes.
• Ability to travel up to 10% domestically.
• All positions have an essential job function to be able to perform face‑to‑face work with colleagues and/or onsite in San Diego. No role is expected to be 100% remote.

Total Rewards Offerings

Travere provides comprehensive total rewards offerings that demonstrate our commitment as a diverse, equitable, people‑centric, and pay‑for‑performance organization.

Benefits

Our benefits include premium health, financial, work‑life and well‑being offerings for eligible employees and dependents, wellness and employee support programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with employer match and generous paid time off.

Compensation

Our competitive compensation package includes a combination of both cash compensation (base pay and short‑term incentive) and long‑term incentive compensation (company stock), designed to recognize, retain, and reward employees.

Target Base Pay Range

$150,000.00 - $195,000.00

Travere Therapeutics, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Veteran/Disability Employer.