Outsourcing Manager

Title: Manager, R&D Procurement (Level II or Level III)

Duration: 1 Years Contract

Location: Basking Ridge, NJ

Shift: Hybrid

Manager, R&D Procurement (Level II or Level III)

Job Schedule

The hiring manager strongly prefers a local candidate based in New Jersey who can work onsite 1–4 times per week, averaging 2 days per week.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Clinical R&D Procurement and Outsourcing

• Assess, select, negotiate, and execute clinical trial vendor contracts with Daiichi Sankyo (DS) teams.
• Perform financial reconciliation and negotiation of vendor contracts before study termination and contract closure.
• Manage all aspects of sourcing and negotiating vendor contracts to ensure cost-effectiveness.
• Oversee vendor contracts and change orders, working with vendors to resolve issues and discrepancies.
• Demonstrate expertise in complex outsourcing models supporting Clinical R&D and Phase I–Phase IV outsourced services, such as CROs, core labs, biomarker services, and central labs.
• Follow processes, procedures, and systems to improve organizational efficiency and cost controls.

2. Procurement

• Manage all outsourcing activities, from vendor assessment, RFP, and selection to contract budget, payment schedule, scope negotiation, and contract execution.
• Support internal customers in ensuring vendors meet required service levels.
• Apply an expanded understanding of procurement principles, legal language, and vendor selection criteria.
• Assist in developing sourcing strategies by spending category to reduce costs and timelines and improve quality.
• Develop detailed bid analyses for review by the R&D functional group.
• Participate in other ad hoc special projects as required.

3. Communication

• Lead contract-related communications with vendors.
• Respond to internal staff questions regarding contract status.
• Interact with vendors on standard administrative matters and contract terms.
• Escalate issues and conflicts appropriately.
• Work cross-functionally to execute the outsourcing process.

4. Contract Execution

• Build contract content and verify unitized budgets against requirements.
• Conduct rigorous negotiations of business terms and validate rates from service providers.
• Ensure payment schedules are cash-neutral and aligned with deliverable timelines.
• Negotiate, prepare, and execute contracts on time.
• Manage and oversee the clinical development contracting process, including review and approval in accordance with company policies.

5. Negotiations

• Apply advanced negotiation skills to drive cost savings.
• Think and act strategically to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure optimal partnerships with internal stakeholders and external vendors to deliver commitments with high value, quality, and performance.

6. Interpersonal Skills

• Manage and maintain collaborative relationships within R&D, Legal, Quality, and Finance, as well as with external parties.
• Eliminate barriers to resolve procurement and contract issues in a timely manner.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in clinical trial outsourcing, health sciences, or a related clinical trials field.
• Experience with outsourcing from the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Experience with Phase I–Phase IV clinical trial vendor contracts.
• Advanced Microsoft Word and Excel skills, including:
• Modifying and reformatting documents in MS Word.
• Creating final contracts in MS Word.
• Writing Excel formulas and analyzing data.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize workloads and tasks.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
• Ability to maintain and use a tracker provided by Daiichi Sankyo to track task and contract request status.
• Ability to interface with departments and functional areas based in Japan.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with laboratory service agreements is highly preferred.
• Experience with CRO contracts is preferred or acceptable.

Education

- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences preferred.