Director, R&D Sourcing and Procurement
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
August 08, 2026
Remote friendly (South San Francisco, CA)
United States
Operations
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop immediate and long-term R&D sourcing strategies/plans for global vendors (focus on clinical operations vendors).
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (R&D Operations, Clinical Operations, and other business leads) to identify sourcing needs and align strategies with business goals.
- Assess, benchmark, and negotiate existing R&D vendor contracts; conduct gap analysis.
- Contribute to R&D vendor governance (vendor optimization, risk assessment, operational performance evaluation).
- Track vendor budget progress with R&D business leads, operational teams, and FP&A (e.g., CRO change orders, risk/reward proposals, volume discounts, savings validation).
- Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies (e.g., AI in procurement) to improve vendor intelligence and sourcing automation.
Education/Experience/Skills:
- 12+ years of sourcing experience in pharmaceuticals/vendors across Clinical Operations, preclinical, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory affairs.
- Proven leadership managing and negotiating large, complex R&D vendor spend (especially CRO spend) and driving cross-functional leverage.
- Demonstrated success developing short- and long-term sourcing strategies in complex environments.
- Strong negotiation and vendor benchmarking experience across R&D contract types.
- Proficient with procurement systems: S2P (Coupa), CLM (Agiloft), and upcoming AI sourcing tools.
- Familiar with sourcing savings reporting methodology and tools (e.g., Smartsheet).
- BS/BA or equivalent relevant education.
Key Qualities:
- Initiative to find innovative ways to deliver measurable savings/results.
- Ability to communicate/present sourcing strategies clearly.
- Ensure compliance with corporate compliance SOPs/policies.
- Up to 5% domestic/international travel as needed.
Benefits (US-based employees):
- Competitive base, bonus, and equity; medical/dental/vision; 401(k) match; employee stock purchase plan; paid time off (15+ vacation days), paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, tuition assistance.
- Develop immediate and long-term R&D sourcing strategies/plans for global vendors (focus on clinical operations vendors).
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (R&D Operations, Clinical Operations, and other business leads) to identify sourcing needs and align strategies with business goals.
- Assess, benchmark, and negotiate existing R&D vendor contracts; conduct gap analysis.
- Contribute to R&D vendor governance (vendor optimization, risk assessment, operational performance evaluation).
- Track vendor budget progress with R&D business leads, operational teams, and FP&A (e.g., CRO change orders, risk/reward proposals, volume discounts, savings validation).
- Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies (e.g., AI in procurement) to improve vendor intelligence and sourcing automation.
Education/Experience/Skills:
- 12+ years of sourcing experience in pharmaceuticals/vendors across Clinical Operations, preclinical, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory affairs.
- Proven leadership managing and negotiating large, complex R&D vendor spend (especially CRO spend) and driving cross-functional leverage.
- Demonstrated success developing short- and long-term sourcing strategies in complex environments.
- Strong negotiation and vendor benchmarking experience across R&D contract types.
- Proficient with procurement systems: S2P (Coupa), CLM (Agiloft), and upcoming AI sourcing tools.
- Familiar with sourcing savings reporting methodology and tools (e.g., Smartsheet).
- BS/BA or equivalent relevant education.
Key Qualities:
- Initiative to find innovative ways to deliver measurable savings/results.
- Ability to communicate/present sourcing strategies clearly.
- Ensure compliance with corporate compliance SOPs/policies.
- Up to 5% domestic/international travel as needed.
Benefits (US-based employees):
- Competitive base, bonus, and equity; medical/dental/vision; 401(k) match; employee stock purchase plan; paid time off (15+ vacation days), paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, tuition assistance.