Vice President, Supply Chain

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Vice President, Supply Chain is responsible for the end-to-end strategy, execution, and governance of global supply operations across all phases of development. This role ensures uninterrupted, compliant, and cost-effective supply of investigational and commercial products, comparators, ancillaries, and open-label therapies to support global clinical trials and commercial launch.

This leader will build and scale a best-in-class supply organization, partner closely with Clinical Operations, CMC, Regulatory, Quality, and external vendors, and provide senior level oversight of supply risk, forecasting, and readiness in support of critical development and registration milestones.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the global supply strategy across early- and late-stage programs, including Phase 1-3, commercial launch, and post-approval commitments
• Serve as the enterprise leader for clinical trial supply governance, risk management, and scenario planning
• Provide senior-level input into development timelines, enrollment strategies, and global expansion plans based on supply feasibility
• Anticipate and proactively mitigate supply risks (manufacturing capacity, comparator shortages, import/export constraints, depot limitations, based on deep experience with global supply chain)
• Drive BLA-enabling supply chain activities, including shipping validation, planning for commercial labeling processes, and temperature monitoring strategies. Provide support for combination device strategy (such as co-packaging with needles and syringes, pre-filled syringes, and other approaches, including device compatibility strategies), and launch forecasting and planning.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee end-to-end clinical supply execution, including:
• Demand forecasting and supply planning
• Packaging, labeling, and distribution
• Depot strategy and inventory management
• Open-label and rescue medication sourcing (e.g., comparator biologics)
• Management of drug product inventory, including production needs, regulatory timing, and QP approval for introduction of new lots
• Balance supply needs with financial ones, including management of cost, expiration dating, potential delays, and clinical enrollment projections.
• Ensure timely and compliant supply to global investigational sites while supporting enrollment acceleration and protocol amendments
• Lead contingency planning for constrained supply scenarios and high-enrolling sites

Vendor & Partner Management

• Select, manage, and govern global supply vendors (CMOs, depots, couriers, comparator sourcing partners), and work closely with global CROs (pack and label vendors, clinical trial vendors) to ensure smooth uptake in new countries
• Establish performance metrics, KPIs, and escalation pathways to ensure vendor accountability
• Negotiate contracts and manage budgets for clinical supply operations
• Drive continuous improvement and cost optimization across the supply network

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with:
• Clinical Operations (site activation, enrollment strategy)
• CMC / Technical Operations (manufacturing timelines, release)
• Quality Assurance (GxP compliance, audits, inspections)
• Regulatory Affairs (import/export, labeling, country requirements)
• Commercial team (BLA and launch planning, commercial supply)
• Act as a strategic advisor to program teams and executive leadership on supply-related decision-making

Quality, Compliance & Inspection Readiness

• Ensure full compliance with GMP, GDP, ICH, FDA, EMA, and global regulatory requirements
• Maintain inspection-ready systems, documentation, and processes
• Lead responses to regulatory inspections, audits, and findings related to supply chain

Team Building & Leadership

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing global supply chain organization
• Establish scalable processes, SOPs, and operating models appropriate for company growth, including selection and introduction of appropriate software tools
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and proactive problem-solving
• Other duties as assigned, nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred)

Experience:

• 18+ years of experience in clinical trial supply, CMC operations, or pharmaceutical supply chain
• 7+ years of senior leadership experience managing global teams and vendors
• Demonstrated experience managing supply for global Phase 3 clinical trials
• Prior experience leading supply strategy through regulatory submission and launch
• Deep knowledge of clinical supply planning, comparator sourcing, and global distribution
• Proven ability to operate effectively in high-complexity, fast-paced biotech environments
• Preferred:
• Experience supporting biologic, gene therapy, or specialty ophthalmology products
• Strong background in managing constrained or high-risk supply scenarios
• MBA or advanced scientific degree a plus

Other Qualifications/Skills:

• Executive presence and strategic thinking
• Strong cross-functional influence without direct authority
• Exceptional problem-solving and risk-mitigation skills
• Data-driven decision making and forecasting expertise
• Ability to balance speed, quality, and compliance
• Clear, confident communicator with internal and external stakeholders

Travel: less than 5%

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Physical Activity- Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling. Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Physical Requirements- Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Working Conditions- The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (as in typical office or administrative work).

Base salary compensation range: $308,000 - $354,000

Please note, the base salary compensation range and actual salary offered to the final candidate depends on various factors: candidate's geographical location, relevant work experience, skills, and years of experience.