Director, Supply Chain Network Planning, Cell & Gene Therapy

Director, Supply Chain Network Planning, Cell & Gene Therapy

The Director, Supply Chain Network Planning, Cell & Gene Therapy will lead end-to-end planning strategy, network design, capacity management, and supply orchestration across the Cell & Gene Therapy portfolio, including Ex Vivo therapies such as CAR-T and gene-modified cell therapies, as well as In Vivo gene therapies. This leader will be responsible for building and executing scalable planning processes that support patient access, supply continuity, launch readiness, and long-term portfolio growth.

This role will oversee integrated planning across patient demand, treatment center capacity, apheresis scheduling, manufacturing slot allocation, viral vector supply, drug substance, drug product, inventory, distribution, and external partner networks. The Director will partner closely with Commercial, Clinical Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Technical Operations, and external partners to ensure the network can reliably deliver therapies to patients while balancing service, cost, capacity, compliance, and business priorities.

As a senior leader, this individual will develop planning capabilities, mentor and grow future supply chain leaders, and foster a culture of accountability, operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The role has direct impact on product availability, patient delivery, supply resilience, and overall business performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead integrated business planning across Commercial, Clinical Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Technical Operations, and external partner teams.
• Develop short-, mid-, and long-range demand, supply, inventory, and capacity plans for commercial and clinical Cell & Gene Therapy products.
• Translate portfolio demand into manufacturing, viral vector, drug substance, drug product, inventory, and distribution requirements.
• Drive scenario planning, risk assessments, and executive decision-making to support growth, launch readiness, and supply continuity.
• Ensure planning processes support uninterrupted supply, reliable patient delivery, and strong operational performance across the network.

Ex Vivo CAR-T Planning

• Own planning for individualized, make-to-order CAR-T therapies across the end-to-end patient and manufacturing journey.
• Manage manufacturing slot allocation and capacity planning across internal and external manufacturing networks.
• Coordinate planning across apheresis scheduling, manufacturing execution, product release, and treatment center delivery requirements.
• Optimize patient flow and manufacturing throughput while maintaining Chain of Identity and Chain of Custody requirements.
• Lead recovery planning for manufacturing failures, patient delays, supply disruptions, and capacity constraints.

Viral Vector and In Vivo Planning

• Lead global viral vector demand and supply planning across commercial and clinical programs.
• Build integrated plans that connect plasmid supply, vector manufacturing, drug substance, fill-finish, and drug product operations.
• Establish inventory and deployment strategies for viral vectors, drug substance, and finished products.
• Align vector capacity and long-term portfolio demand to support commercial growth, clinical development, and launch readiness.
• Support commercialization planning for In Vivo gene therapy products.

Network Strategy, Risk Management, and Digital Planning

• Develop and execute the long-term supply chain network strategy for Cell & Gene Therapy products.
• Lead network assessments, capacity analyses, and supply chain design initiatives across internal manufacturing, CDMOs, warehousing, cryogenic storage, and distribution partners.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to critical materials, viral vector supply, manufacturing capacity, logistics providers, and external partners.
• Establish contingency plans and network resiliency strategies to reduce supply risk and support business continuity.
• Drive adoption of advanced planning tools, KPI dashboards, predictive analytics, and scenario modeling to improve planning decisions and operational performance.

Team Leadership and Capability Building

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of supply chain planners, analysts, and managers.
• Set clear expectations, build development plans, and establish succession strategies for the planning organization.
• Mentor emerging leaders and create growth opportunities across the team.
• Build organizational capabilities in end-to-end planning, capacity management, network design, analytics, and supply chain decision-making.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and patient-centric execution.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD and 8 years of progressive supply chain experience within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biologics, or advanced therapies; OR
• Master's degree and 10 years of progressive supply chain experience within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biologics, or advanced therapies; OR
• Bachelor's degree and 12 years of progressive supply chain experience within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biologics, or advanced therapies.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, MS in Supply Chain, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.
• 12 or more years of progressive supply chain experience within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biologics, or advanced therapies.
• 7 or more years of leadership experience in planning, supply chain strategy, network planning, operations, or a related function.
• Experience supporting commercial CAR-T, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy, or Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products.
• Strong knowledge of vein-to-vein supply chains, manufacturing slot management, apheresis planning, viral vector manufacturing, cryogenic logistics, Chain of Identity, and Chain of Custody requirements.
• Experience supporting complex, regulated manufacturing environments.
• APICS/ASCM CPIM, CSCP, CLTD, or equivalent certification.
• Demonstrated success leading teams through growth, transformation, operational scale-up, product launches, or business process improvement.

Technical Expertise

• Integrated Business Planning and S&OP leadership.
• Capacity planning, capacity modeling, and supply chain network design.
• Inventory optimization, scenario planning, and risk management.
• SAP IBP, SAP S/4HANA, Kinaxis, Oracle SCM, or equivalent planning platforms.
• Power BI, Tableau, SQL, advanced analytics, and KPI dashboard development.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking and strong business judgment.
• Patient-centric leadership and operational accountability.
• Executive presence and cross-functional influence.
• People development, coaching, and organization building.
• Change leadership, financial acumen, risk management, and data-driven decision-making.

Success Profile

The successful candidate will build and lead an integrated, scalable planning organization that enables reliable patient delivery, strong supply continuity, efficient manufacturing utilization, and sustainable portfolio growth. This leader will be viewed as a trusted strategic partner, a strong people leader, and a driver of planning excellence across the Cell & Gene Therapy network.

The salary range for this position is: $191,250.00 - $247,500.00. Kite considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.