Senior Manager/Associate Director Raw Materials Planning & Supplier Management

Role Summary

The Senior Manager/Associate Director, Planner Buyer is responsible for developing and executing raw material forecasting and procurement strategies aligned with production schedules and program milestones for direct materials used in production. This role coordinates with suppliers, monitors inventory levels, analyzes demand forecasts, and collaborates with manufacturing and quality teams to maintain a smooth and efficient supply chain. Based in Redwood City, California, the role reports to the Vice President of Supply Chain within the Tech Ops organization.

Responsibilities

• Demand Forecasting – Maintain visibility into demand across multiple programs (e.g., ECO synthesis, siRNA, enzyme manufacturing, etc.) and proactively plan shared material usage to ensure raw material supply
• Lead Raw Material Supply Planning – Centralize and optimize the raw material planning process and purchase order execution for direct raw materials to ensure supply, while meeting service, cost, and inventory targets
• Supplier Management – Identify and recommend new suppliers through sourcing and due diligence, negotiate contracts, manage supplier relationships, and monitor performance to ensure reliability and cost-effectiveness
• Inventory Optimization – Develop, implement and track adherence to inventory policies and safety stock strategies for raw materials
• Scenario & Risk Management – Conduct scenario planning to address supply constraints, new product launches, and demand variability; proactively develop mitigation strategies
• System & Process Leadership – Drive continuous improvement in raw material planning tools and ERP/MRP system capabilities to ensure accurate inventory tracking, part number assignment, and traceability across systems
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partner with Manufacturing, Process Development, Receiving and Quality teams to align material availability with operational needs
• KPIs & Reporting – Develop, monitor and report on supplier key performance indicators to measure reliability and speed such as OTIF, SCARs and complaints. Address issues that arise (missing paperwork, late deliveries, quality concerns, poor communication, etc.)
• Lifecyle Management - Receive, document and evaluate material change notifications to assess impact to development and manufacturing processes, in partnership with key stakeholders
• Lead continuous improvement efforts in procurement workflows, vendor management, and cost optimization
• Represent Supply Chain in Sales & Operations Planning meetings and strategic planning forums

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related life sciences field
• Required: 10+ years of progressive experience in raw material planning and procurement, preferably in the biotech, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle) and advanced planning tools
• APICS certification preferred
• Skills: Strategic mindset with a focus on innovation, risk mitigation, and operational excellence
• Skills: Excellent communication, negotiation and analytical skills
• Skills: Proficiency in Excel, scenario modeling and data analysis tools
• Skills: Proactive problem solver and team player

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related life sciences field