Associate Director, Alliance Vendor Relationship Manager

Who we are

Together, we’re on a mission to make good health more affordable and accessible, to help millions around the world enjoy healthier lives. It’s a mission that bonds our people across nearly 60 countries and a rich, diverse variety of nationalities and backgrounds. Working here means working with the world’s leading manufacturer of generic medicines, and the proud producer of many of the products on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List. Today, at least 200 million people around the world take one of our medicines every single day. An amazing number, but we’re always looking for new ways to continue making a difference, and new people to make a difference with.

The opportunity

The Associate Director, Alliance/Vendor Relationship Manager will be responsible for managing and optimizing relationships with external vendors supporting Global Clinical Operations efforts of the organization. This role is essential in ensuring that clinical vendors deliver high-quality services on time and within budget while adhering to regulatory requirements and organizational standards.

How you’ll spend your day

Strategic Vendor Management:

    •    Develop and implement vendor management strategies and tactics, including leadership of and direct support of governance and performance related documents, charters, and tracking/reporting mechanisms for clinical trial vendors as assigned.
    •    Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Operational Key Metrics (OKMs), and Key Risk Indicators to ensure vendor performance aligns with project and corporate objectives.
    •    Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with vendors to ensure service quality, efficiency, and alignment with the organization’s goals.

 

Performance Oversight and Governance:

    •    Oversee the performance of key vendors in partnership with functional stakeholders, ensuring they provide high-quality, timely, and cost-effective services for clinical trials.
    •    Lead regular governance forums, such as Joint Operating Committees to review vendor performance, address issues, and drive continuous improvement.
    •    Act as the internal primary escalation point for vendor performance issues, collaborating with providers and stakeholders to develop and execute risk mitigation strategies.

 

Financial and Contract Management:

    •    In partnership with internal stakeholders and functions, monitor vendor budgets, forecast expenditures, and report on spending to identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.

 

 Compliance and Quality Assurance:

    •    Ensure that all vendors comply with regulatory requirements (e.g., ICH GCP), industry standards, and company policies.
    •    Coordinate with Quality Assurance to conduct regular audits and assessments of vendor processes, addressing compliance issues as needed.
    •    Lead periodic reviews and benchmarking exercises to ensure that vendor performance meets or exceeds industry standards for cost, speed, and quality.

 

Continuous Improvement and Innovation:

    •    Drive initiatives to improve vendor management processes, including the adoption of new technologies and best practices.
    •    Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging cross-functional collaboration and sharing of best practices to enhance overall clinical trial operations.

 

The person hired for this role will need to work in a hybrid environment out of our West Chester, PA office

Your experience and qualifications

Education:

    •    Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Business, or a related field. An advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MS in Clinical Research) is preferred.

 

Experience:

    •    Minimum of 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with at least 5 years in vendor management or a related role in clinical research.
    •    Demonstrated experience in managing complex Alliance/Vendor Relationships and leading governance activities within a matrix environment.
    •    Strong knowledge of clinical research and development processes, including regulatory requirements (ICH GCP) and clinical trial operations.

 

Skills:

    •    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
    •    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on optimizing vendor performance and ensuring cost-efficiency.
    •    Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynami