Portfolio Vendor Leader

Caribou Biosciences, Inc.; United (PA); Remote; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Portfolio Vendor Leader to manage vendor relationships and procurement processes. The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree and have strong negotiation skills, along with a solid understanding of the pharmaceutical industry. This role offers a competitive salary ranging from $150,000 to $180,000, along with comprehensive benefits including stock options and a 401(k) plan.

Benefits

Stock options

401(k) with employer matching

Paid vacation and holidays

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Qualifications

• Proven experience in vendor management or supply chain roles within pharmaceuticals.
• In-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical regulations and quality standards.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with external clinical vendors and suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors ensuring favorable terms.
• Ensure compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Understanding of pharmaceutical industry

Data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree

Tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

Job Description

Portfolio Vendor Leader — Caribou Biosciences, Inc. Remote, United States. This position requires at least a Bachelor’s degree. This role is in the Purchasing field, with opportunities for hybrid or remote work and occasional visits to Berkeley, CA.

The Portfolio Vendor Leader will join the Clinical Operations team and be responsible for managing relationships with external clinical vendors and suppliers (e.g., CROs), ensuring efficient pharmaceutical and biotechnology procurement processes, and contributing to the company’s success in delivering innovative healthcare solutions. The ideal candidate will possess strong negotiation skills, a solid understanding of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, and the ability to drive results through effective vendor management. The role reports to the Executive Director of Clinical Operations.

Caribou Biosciences is a leading clinical-stage CRISPR genome-editing biopharmaceutical company focused on developing transformative therapies for patients with devastating diseases. Our next-generation genome-editing technology enables superior precision to develop cell therapies that are armored to potentially improve antitumor activity. We are advancing our pipeline of off-the-shelf, allogeneic cell therapies from CAR-T and CAR-NK platforms for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

Members of the Caribou herd work from our headquarters in Berkeley, California, or remotely, and we value diversity and engagement across teams.

Responsibilities

• Vendor Selection and Evaluation
• Identify potential vendors and suppliers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors
• Assess vendor capabilities, financial stability, and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate vendor performance and propose improvements

• Contract Management
• Liaise with Legal to negotiate and establish contracts with vendors, ensuring favorable terms and pricing
• Monitor contract compliance and track key performance indicators
• Work with Legal to review and update vendor agreements as necessary to adapt to changing business needs

• Vendor Relationship Management
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key vendors
• Serve as the primary point of contact for vendors and manage communication effectively
• Address vendor concerns, issues, and conflicts promptly to maintain positive partnerships

• Quality Assurance and Compliance
• Ensure that vendors meet quality and regulatory requirements in pharmaceutical and biotech products and services
• Conduct regular audits and assessments to verify adherence to established standards
• Work with vendors to resolve compliance issues and drive continuous improvement

• Cost Management
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and strategies to optimize vendor spend
• Track and report on vendor-related expenditures and budget performance
• Implement cost-effective procurement processes

• Risk Management
• Assess and mitigate risks associated with vendor relationships and the supply chain
• Develop contingency plans to address potential disruptions in the supply chain
• Stay informed about industry trends and potential risks that may impact the business

• Data Analysis and Reporting
• Collect and analyze data related to vendor performance and procurement operations
• Generate regular reports and provide insights to senior management
• Use data to drive data-driven decision-making in vendor management

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Business, or Supply Chain Management). A master’s degree is a plus.
• Proven experience in vendor management, procurement, or supply chain roles within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
• In-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical and biotech products, regulations, and quality standards
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools
• Ability to work well in cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $150,000 - $180,000 per year. This represents the present low and high end of the Company’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on location, skill, experience, and performance.
• Comprehensive compensation package, including stock options and an employee stock purchase program
• Generous paid vacation time, plus company-observed holidays and floating holidays
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching
• Tuition reimbursement program

EEO Statement

Caribou is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law. Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. All hires will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States upon hire.

For more information about Caribou, visit www.cariboubio.com and follow the company @CaribouBio.