Senior Manager, Procurement & Vendor Management (R&D Clinical)

Role Summary

The Senior Manager, Procurement & Vendor Management (R&D Clinical) will lead sourcing strategy, contracting, and governance activities across Summit’s global clinical research and development organization. This individual will report into the Head/Senior Director of Procurement and Vendor Management. The successful incumbent will be responsible for all phases of clinical study execution such as CROs, central labs, and other specialty clinical suppliers across R&D. The role ensures that vendors deliver high-quality, compliant, and cost-effective services aligned with Summit’s clinical and operational goals. Moving forward, this role could expand to take on other additional responsibilities across R&D and in Procurement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute R&D category sourcing strategies across Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs and related R&D categories with a focus on driving quality, compliance and cost savings
• Provide input and feedback to strategic procurement processes and best practices
• Manage the end-to-end procurement for clinical services, including RFI/RFP management, bid evaluation, supplier selection, onboarding, risk assessment and MSA/SOW review
• Negotiate contracts, rate cards and pricing terms; manage CRO/clinical budgets seeking cost efficiencies
• Collaborate effectively with business stakeholders in Clinical Operations, R&D, Legal, and Finance, to forecast vendor needs, plan budgets, and align as needed to review, amend, negotiate and complete contracts
• Serve as primary point of contact for suppliers, build strong relationship with suppliers and facilitate vendor governance process, including quarterly business review meetings with key suppliers as appropriate, based on vendor segmentation
• Establish vendor performance governance by reviewing score cards, quality incidents, KPIs, SLAs, and risks/issues escalation
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance, compliance, and cost effectiveness while identifying improvement opportunities and implementing corrective actions as needed
• Help maintain contract trackers, supplier databases, and documentation for various projects and enter contract requests into the Summit legal portal
• Assist and work with senior management on continuous improvement of procurement processes, automation projects and other strategic projects
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum BA/BS degree or relevant graduate degree preferred
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in a Procurement/Vendor Management environment in a pharmaceutical, CRO/ biotech company or worked in a clinical R&D operations setting with a CRO/Sponsor company
• Good understanding of the drug development R&D process is important
• In-depth understanding of clinical trial-related execution of large global studies, including CROs, central labs, imaging, drug supply, CMC vendors, and ancillary suppliers. Oncology experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of GCP, ICH, and regulatory expectations governing outsourced clinical activities
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritize, and independently solve problems in a rapidly changing environment
• Proficient user of standard MS Office suite (e.g., Word, Excel), experience using electronic document management systems (e.g. Veeva Vault, etc.), and document review tools desirable
• Strong computer and database skills and experience with procurement or contract management systems (e.g., Ariba, Coupa, etc.)
• Attention to detail, accuracy and confidentiality with clear and concise oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Critical thinking, problem solving, ability to work independently
• Must be able to effectively multi-task and manage time-sensitive and highly confidential documents
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally, manage competing priorities, and operate in a fast-paced, high growth organization
• Oncology or rare disease experience is desirable

Skills

Education

Additional Requirements