Strategic Sourcing, Senior Manager/Associate Director

Company Information

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. 

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel) in 2017. Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking an Strategic Sourcing, Senior Manager/Associate Director as part of the Technical Development team based in Somerset, NJ. 

Role Overview

Legend Biotech USA, Inc. is seeking a motivated and experienced Strategic Sourcing Senior Manager to join its Technical Development team to deliver a pipeline of cell related innovative therapies. The ideal candidate will possess a scientific background and expertise in sourcing and procurement from external CDMOs to establish and lead a team that supports an expanding supply chain for clinical-stage external materials. Reporting to the Senior Director of Materials Science, this role will enhance and manage processes for sourcing both non-GMP and GMP materials essential to cell and gene therapy programs. The selected candidate will collaborate with technical experts to develop and manufacture clinical-stage starting materials, drug substances, and products required for Legend's investigational efforts. They will collaborate with internal teams to ensure that externally sourced products—such as viral vectors, plasmids, apheresis materials, gene editing components, and other vital raw materials—comply with health authority regulations and global quality standards. Furthermore, the candidate will assist the Technical Development team in identifying and evaluating CDMOs, managing contracts and negotiations, reconciling budgets, and ensuring timely payments for project-related invoices.

Key Responsibilities  

• Build procedures and oversee a team to facilitate external sourcing for the Technical Development department.
  
• Manage the evaluation process of new CDMOs and partners to support new and custom materials and the ongoing supply of pipeline programs to support Legend’s innovative pipeline.
  
• Provide project management support and serve as a point of contact for external sourcing activities at CDMOs and innovative technology collaborations.
  
• Ensure the supply of non-GMP and GMP plasmids, lentivirus, drug products, and other critical raw materials for use in various phases meets timeline needs for project advancement in clinical trial development.
  
• Collaborate closely with the Senior Director of Materials Science to manage the pipeline program vendor and sourcing needs, as well as costing and invoicing; ensure timely payment of invoices for project activities.
  
• Oversee review of contracts, collaborating with legal, procurement, and technical experts for CDMOs and innovative technology collaborations, as well as implementing contracts into the purchasing system.
  
• Build and foster relationships with external suppliers while aligning and integrating internal SMEs and key stakeholders.
  
• Participate in internal, cross-functional communication and strategy between departments, such as US and China R&D teams, TechOps, and Quality, to synchronize tasks and deliverables.

Requirements

• BS/MS (or relevant experience) in chemistry, biology, immunology, biomedical engineering, or other related biological sciences preferred.
• Understanding of molecular and cell biology.
• At least 5 years of experience and/or familiarity working in cGMP pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, or a similar field preferred.
• At least 8 years of experience sourcing with external suppliers, procurement, and legal teams.
• Knowledge of inventory management, purchase orders, and invoices.
• Facilitated the shipment of temperature-sensitive materials, consumables, and laboratory equipment
• Familiarity with sourcing and procurement procedures and technologies preferred.
• Knowledge of cGMP