Clinical Vendor Acquisition Manager

Socket.dev; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Company paid health insurance

401(k) with match

Job summary

Care Access is seeking a Clinical Vendor Acquisition Manager to identify, onboard, and manage clinical vendors aligned with study protocols. You will translate study documents into vendor qualifications and oversee contract development and performance tracking.

You will lead vendor selection, negotiate terms with internal teams, and ensure compliance across all vendor activities. Travel up to 50% is required, with a US-office baseline for collaboration.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of clinical protocols, trial execution, and start-up workflows.
• Experience reviewing, interpreting, and providing feedback on vendor contracts, including risks and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to manage the full lifecycle of vendor contracts, from negotiation through renewal and termination.

Responsibilities

• Review clinical protocols and vendor requirements to determine scope and qualifications.
• Identify potential vendors based on study documents and sponsor input.
• Lead RFPs, RFQs, and vendor selection processes.
• Negotiate and finalize clinical vendor contracts with internal teams.
• Track contract renewals, expirations, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor vendor performance against SLAs and KPIs.
• Maintain clinical vendor documentation and compliance records.

Skills

Clinical protocols

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Effective communication

Negotiation

Site networks

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CTMS

Clinical portals

Salesforce

Job description

Care Access is working to make the future of health better for all.With hundreds of research locations, mobile clinics, and clinicians across the globe, we bring world-class research and health services directly to communities that often face barriers to care.We are dedicated to ensuring that every person has the opportunity to understand their health, access the care they need,and contribute to the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow.

With programs like Future of Medicine, which makes advanced health screenings and research opportunities accessible to communities worldwide, and Difference Makers, which supports local leaders to expand their community health and wellbeing efforts, we put people at the heart of medical progress. Through partnerships, technology, and perseverance, we are reimagining how clinical research and health services reach the world. Together, we are building a future of health that is better and more accessible for all.

Reporting to the Director of Study Feasibility & Clinical Partnerships, the Clinical Vendor Acquisition Manager plays a critical role in identification, sourcing, onboarding, and management of vendor relationships to support Care Access objectives. This role, in collaboration with Feasibility, SSU, Finance, and Site Operations, ensures cost-effective procurement, strong contractual protection, compliance, and high-performing clinical vendor partnerships.

How You’ll Make An Impact

• Clinical protocol review and vendor requirements identification
  • Review clinical protocols and other study documents to determine vendor scope and compatibility; translate protocol elements into vendor qualifications and study requirements
• Identify potential vendors based on the requirements of the protocol and other sponsor‑provided study documents
• Conduct market research to assess vendor capabilities, pricing models, and risk factors
• Develop and maintain a preferred clinical vendor network
• Lead RFPs, RFQs, and vendor selection processes
• Supports the review and finalization of clinical vendor contracts process, in collaboration with the internal team, legal, and finance teams.
• Help track contract renewals, expirations, amendments, and compliance requirements. Notify Manager and Legal Team for contracts requiring notice for non-renewals.
• Track and compare vendor pricing and utilize historical data and current markets for negotiation, if applicable.
• Identify and troubleshoot vendor‑related issues impacting clinical execution or study timelines; act as clinical escalation point for vendor readiness concerns
• Establish performance metrics and monitor clinical vendor performance against SLAs and KPIs.
• Resolve service, performance, and billing issues in a timely manner.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost optimization initiatives
• Maintain clinical vendor documentation and compliance records
• Serve as the point‑of‑contact for clinical vendors, ensuring timely responses when study manuals are unavailable.
• Standardize and improve communication pathways between clinical vendors, SSU teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and refine clinical vendor management processes to optimize efficiency and quality.
• Guide internal and external stakeholders on clinical vendor requirements, protocol expectations, training, and procedures.
• Participate in governance calls and internal meetings to provide updates on clinical vendor performance and risk status.
• Develop tools, templates, and training materials to strengthen clinical vendor onboarding and oversight processes
• Maintain internal database in Sharepoint as well as SalesForce.
• Review study information and use internal databases, trackers, and dashboards as resources.

The Expertise Required

• Strong understanding of clinical protocols, trial execution, and start‑up workflows.
• Prior vendor experience with the ability to discuss protocol clinical aspects with vendors.
• Skilled at guiding vendor partners and internal teams on protocol expectations, training, and procedures.
• Effective communicator of vendor requirements both internally and externally.
• Experience working with site networks; direct site‑based experience strongly valued.
• Ability to negotiate and 'sell' Care Access’s value to vendor partners
• Experience interacting with investigators, clinical staff, and site teams to support operational decision‑making.
• Strong cross‑functional communication skills in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.
• Creative, outside‑the‑box problem solving with openness to brainstorming solutions.
• Proactive mindset with ownership, accountability, and focus on clinical quality.
• Ability to foresee risks based on historical knowledge, manage escalations efficiently, and follow up across governance structures.
• Data management skills for tracking KPIs, vendor performance, and escalation logs.
• Ability to hold vendors accountable to agreed timelines and deliverables.
• Capacity to effectively document historical vendor performance and leverage it for future pipeline planning.
• Experience creating and implementing new processes based on role and company needs.
• Experience reviewing, interpreting, and providing feedback on vendor contracts, including identifying risks, obligations, and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to manage the full lifecycle of vendor contracts, from negotiation through execution, renewal, and termination.

Certifications/Licenses, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, healthcare, nursing, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 3–5 years of experience in clinical operations, clinical vendor management, or clinical trial start‑up.
• Prior vendor‑facing experience within clinical trials required.
• Familiarity with clinical vendor acquisition and management, and contracting workflows.
• Experience in Clinical Project Management is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with CTMS, clinical portals, and project tracking tools.

How We Work Together

• Travel: This role requires up to 50% travel requirements further explained below. Length of travel will depend upon study requirements, staff needs, and company initiatives. During onboarding and training, additional travel may be required.
  • Type of travel required: National
• Location: This role requires 100% of work to be performed in an office environment and requires the ability to use keyboards and other computer equipment.
• Physical demands associated with this position Include: The ability to use keyboards and other computer equipment.
  • Walking < 5%, Standing < 5%, Sitting - 90%

The expected salary range for this role is $80,000 - $110,000 USD per year for full time team members.

Benefits & Perks (US Full Time Employees)

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Paid Holidays
• 100% Employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Bi-weekly HSA employer contribution
• Company paid Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) Retirement Plan, with Company Match

Mandatory Employer Disclosures

Notice to Illinois applicants: Applicants are not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records or adjudication, arrest, or conviction.
Notice to Connecticut applicants: Care Access may require applicants to submit to a urinalysis drug test in connection with an application for employment.
Notice to Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, and North Dakota applicants: Care Access complies with applicable laws prohibiting smoking in and around places of employment.
Notice to Massachusetts applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Notice to Rhode Island applicants: Care Access complies with Rhode Island law prohibiting smoking in enclosed areas within places of employment. Care Access is also subject to is subject to Chapters 29–38 of Title 28 of the Rhode Island General Laws.
Notice to Maryland applicants: UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT, OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT AN INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A LIE DETECTOR OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100.

Diversity & Inclusion

We work with and serve people from diverse cultures and communities around the world. We are stronger and better when we build a team representing the communities we support. We maintain an inclusive culture where people from a broad range of backgrounds feel valued and respected as they contribute to our mission.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Care Access is unable to sponsor work visas at this time.