R&D Operations manager

Role Summary

Supplier Manager, R&D Supplier Management and Performance Analytics (SMPA). Oversees outsourced services that support Amgen Research and Development, focusing on bioanalysis for innovator and biosimilar medicines. Ensures external third-party providers deliver high-quality, compliant services and supports the maintenance of a robust supplier base enabling diverse R&D activities while meeting critical timelines. Acts as a key partner across scientific, operational, financial, and sourcing teams with expertise in bioanalysis, supplier oversight, contract and portfolio management, and process improvement to ensure regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and alignment with business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, monitoring, and offboarding processes.
• Establish and uphold governance frameworks for supplier oversight.
• Track, analyze, and report supplier KPIs to assess and improve performance.
• Manage supplier risk, ensuring strict adherence to compliance and regulatory standards (GLP, GCP).
• Support contract negotiation, redlining, and ongoing supplier relationship management.
• Collaborate with internal scientists, sourcing, legal, finance, and operations to support pipeline needs.
• Serve as an internal escalation point for issue triage, resolution, and supplier service escalations.
• Participate in regulatory audits and inspections to demonstrate oversight of regulated activity.
• Drive cross-functional alignment on supplier performance metrics, contracts, and deliverables.
• Oversee the end-to-end contract lifecycle management process.
• Partner with Global Strategic Sourcing and Budget Leads on contract development, study budgets, and financial forecasting.
• Develop and maintain advanced visualization tools for tracking budgets, compliance, and performance against timelines.
• Assist stakeholders in SOW development and contract execution, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
• Lead initiatives for process optimization and operational excellence in supplier management.
• Develop and maintain departmental policies and SOPs to drive consistency and quality.
• Drive strategic portfolio initiatives to enhance financial management, reporting, and long-term supplier value.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree OR
• Master’s degree and 2 years of biotech/pharma business operations or supplier management experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of biotech/pharma business operations or supplier management experience OR
• Associate’s degree and 8 years of biotech/pharma business operations or supplier management experience OR
• High school diploma / GED and 10 years of biotech/pharma business operations or supplier management experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Biology, Life Sciences, Health, Medical, or Clinical Sciences with additional training in Business or Finance.
• Demonstrated expertise in bioanalytical sciences (PK & ADA) and biosimilar programs, with a strong track record of cross-functional collaboration.
• Previous experience with CRO or external supplier management in biotech/pharma.
• Knowledge of end-to-end drug development processes (discovery to post-marketing).
• Experience with data analytics and visualization tools (Spotfire, Tableau, Smartsheet) and proficiency in documentation management and financial applications such as Veeva and SAP.
• Strong organizational, financial, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience leading supplier governance forums, contract negotiations, and KPI/metric development.
• Ability to flex and adapt in a fast-paced environment, supporting diverse R&D verticals.