Manager/Director, Procurement and Materials (Contract Role)

The Contractor for Procurement and Materials (Manager/Director level) is responsible for leading the end-to-end procurement, inventory management, and materials master data functions in support of GMP manufacturing operations. This role ensures uninterrupted supply of raw materials, consumables, packaging components, and indirect materials by overseeing purchasing, supplier management, inventory forecasting, and inventory control processes. 

The position serves as the primary operational liaison with suppliers regarding purchase orders, material availability, stock shortages, quality issues, delivery performance, and supply continuity. In addition, this position owns the integrity of inventory and material master data within the ERP/MRP system and leads the implementation, optimization, and continuous improvement of inventory and materials management systems and processes.

Essential Duties

Procurement 

• Lead the procurement team responsible for purchasing raw materials, consumables, packaging components, capital equipment, and indirect supplies.  

• Ensure timely issuance, confirmation, and follow-up of purchase orders through delivery.  

• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and commercial terms with suppliers in partnership with Strategic Sourcing and Legal as appropriate.  

Purchase Order Management 

• Oversee the complete purchase order lifecycle from requisition through receipt.  

• Ensure purchase orders accurately reflect material specifications, quantities, pricing, and delivery requirements.  

• Monitor supplier acknowledgements and delivery commitments.  

• Escalate supplier delays and coordinate recovery plans to minimize production impact.  

• Maintain purchasing metrics including on-time delivery, purchase order cycle time, and supplier responsiveness.  

Inventory Forecasting & Materials Planning 

• Lead inventory forecasting activities in partnership with Supply Chain Planning and Manufacturing.  

• Review demand forecasts to determine future procurement requirements.  

• Establish inventory targets including safety stock, reorder points, and minimum/maximum inventory levels.  

• Balance inventory investment while minimizing stockouts and excess inventory.  

• Monitor inventory health, slow-moving inventory, excess inventory, and expiration risks.  

Supplier Relationship Management 

• Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with suppliers.  

• Conduct regular business reviews with key suppliers.  

• Monitor supplier performance using key performance indicators including:  

• On-time delivery  

• Lead time adherence  

• Quality performance  

• Identify alternate suppliers and mitigate supply risks.  

Stock-Out & Supply Issue Management 

• Serve as the primary escalation point for supplier stock shortages and material availability issues.  

• Coordinate supplier recovery plans for backorders and constrained materials.  

• Communicate supply risks to Planning, Manufacturing, and Executive Leadership.  

Supplier Quality & Delivery Performance 

• Partner with Quality Assurance on supplier quality issues.  

• Coordinate supplier investigations for nonconforming materials.  

Inventory Management 

• Partner with Warehouse and Materials Management to maintain accurate inventory.  

• Review inventory accuracy, cycle count performance, and inventory reconciliation.  

Material Master Data and Systems 

• Establish and maintain master data standards.  

• Create and maintain Material master recordsand system data including BOMS, release testing updates 

• Support implementation of new inventory and material management functionality.  

• Lead system testing and validation for inventory-related system enhancements.  

• Develop business requirements for ERP/MRP improvements.  

• Improve inventory visibility and reporting.  

• Develop inventory dashboards and KPIs.  

• Standardize materials management processes across the organization.  

Preferred Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Life Sciences, or related fields. 

• 5-7+ years of progressive supply chain experience in biomanufacturing, cell therapies or advanced therapies a plus.

• Leadership of digital transformation initiatives including MES and ERP systems. 

• Strong knowledge of production planning, material requirements planning (MRP), and capacity planning within manufacturing. 

• Proven success leading cross-functional teams and driving operational results. 

• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills. 

• Experience with autologous or allogeneic cell therapy supply chains a plus.

• Familiarity with both clinical and commercial supply chain models a plus.

• Knowledge of manufacturing, chain of identity/custody requirements, and vein-to-vein workflows a plus

Training & Continuous Improvement: 

• Certification in Production and Inventory Management or Logistics, such as APICS are a plus