Manager, Purchasing & Planning

Abzena Inc.; Bristol (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Abzena is seeking a Purchasing & Planning Manager in Virginia to lead the site demand plan and mentor buyers and planners in a strict cGMP environment. You will balance operational demand, supplier capability, inventory strategy, and site priorities while ensuring supply continuity and regulatory compliance.

You will manage complex demand profiles across Process Development, Tech Transfer, Validation, and clinical/commercial manufacturing, coordinating with Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, Finance,

Qualifications

• BA/BS or MA/MS in Supply Chain, Business, Life Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in demand planning, purchasing, or supply chain roles, preferably in a cGMP environment.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret demand, inventory, and supplier performance data.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., IFS or comparable) and planning tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate across multiple functions.
• High attention to detail and documentation discipline to support compliance requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills and urgency in resolving supply issues

Responsibilities

• Material Planning: Translate demand forecasts into material requirements plans (MRP), ensuring quantities, timing, safety stock, and lead-time assumptions.
• Supplier Coordination: Collaborate with Quality and Supply Chain to support supplier delivery, qualification, performance monitoring, and issue resolution. Proactively manage risk with critical materials.
• Demand Forecasting: Develop, publish, and maintain forecasts supporting Process Development, Tech Transfer, Validation, and commercial/clinical manufacturing activities.
• Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels to balance service, cash, and risk; identify mitigation plans for excess, obsolete, or at-risk material.
• Data Integrity: Maintain accurate planning and purchasing data within ERP systems to support reliable execution.
• Leadership: Liaise between supply planning, procurement, manufacturing, and program teams; align with site cadence and communicate demand changes.
• Performance Management: Define and monitor KPIs such as material readiness and on-time delivery; drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Material Planning

Demand Forecasting

Supplier Coordination

Leadership

Data Integrity

ERP systems

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

BA/BS or MA/MS in Supply Chain, Business, Life Sciences, or related field

Tools

IFS or comparable ERP

Planning tools

Job description

With extensive experience in developing biologics and bioconjugates, we offer a seamless service delivered by fully integrated teams, from early discovery to commercial manufacturing.

Forward-thinking and committed, we find the best solution and use the right technologies to design, develop and manufacture your products to ensure we get vital medicines to patients quickly and safely.

We are dedicated to quality excellence. We are driven to get better treatments to market, efficiently and responsibly by reducing timelines and delivering the highest quality products and services.

We are Abzena. More than a CDMO, we are a responsible and dedicated partner that takes care of your products from concept to patient.

The Purchasing & Planning Manager is responsible for developing and continuously improving the site demand plan, and mentoring and managing the buyers and planners who execute to the production schedule in a strictly regulated Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) environment. This role balances operational demand, supplier capability, inventory strategy, and site priorities while ensuring supply continuity and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will manage complex demand profiles spanning Process Development, Tech Transfer, Validation, and routine clinical/commercial manufacturing, while coordinating closely with Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, Finance, and Program Management.

Responsibilities

• Material Planning: Translate demand forecasts into material requirements plans (MRP), ensuring appropriate quantities, timing, safety stock, and lead‑time assumptions.
• Supplier Coordination: Collaborate with Quality and Supply Chain to support supplier delivery, qualification, performance monitoring, and issue resolution. Proactively manage risk associated with critical and sole‑source materials.
• Demand Forecasting: Develop, publish, and maintain forecasts supporting Process Development, Tech Transfer, Validation, and commercial/clinical manufacturing activities.
• Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels to balance service, cash, and risk; identify and drive mitigation plans for excess, obsolete, or at‑risk material.
• Data Integrity: Maintain accurate planning and purchasing data within ERP and planning systems (item masters, lead times, MOQ, safety stock) to support reliable execution.
• Leadership: Serve as the primary liaison between supply planning, procurement, manufacturing, and program teams; integrate with site operating cadence to communicate demand or supply changes and manage expectations.
• Performance Management: Define, monitor, and report key performance indicators such as material readiness, supplier on time delivery, forecasting accuracy, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• BA/BS or MA/MS degree in Supply Chain, Business, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in demand planning, purchasing, or supply chain roles, preferably in a cGMP environment.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret demand, inventory, and supplier performance data.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., IFS or comparable) and planning tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate across multiple functions.
• High attention to detail and documentation discipline to support compliance requirements.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to act with urgency to resolve supply issues

FLSA: Exempt

Abzena is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.