Director of Clinical Strategic Sourcing

Director Of Clinical Strategic Sourcing

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We're pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs. With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees.

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive.

We're building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you're passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

The primary responsibility of this role is to lead the strategic sourcing and procurement activities for Clinical Development, ensuring alignment with long-term organizational goals. This role will play a critical part in developing and optimizing procurement processes, strengthening supplier partnerships, and ensuring that the Clinical Development suppliers secure high-quality services at the best overall value. Effective category management within Clinical Development is expected to significantly contribute to the organization's operational excellence and overall success.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute category strategies across Clinical Development, including supplier identification, market analysis, and supplier performance evaluation to ensure quality, service levels, risk mitigation and cost savings across the portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers. Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing to achieve mutually beneficial agreements that support business objectives.
• Continuously identify value-creation opportunities through negotiation, volume leverage, and innovative sourcing models without compromising on quality or compliance.
• Ensure that all procured goods and services meet required quality, ethical, and compliance standards. Establish and monitor supplier performance metrics to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Identify and mitigate supplier risks, ensuring business continuity.
• Oversee the drafting, execution, and lifecycle management of supplier contracts, ensuring compliance with contractual, legal, and regulatory requirements.
• Stay abreast of Clinical Research market trends, innovations, and regulatory changes to inform category strategies and maintain a competitive advantage.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders—clinical operations, finance, legal, IT, and quality—to ensure alignment of procurement strategies with overall corporate goals.
• Leverage data analytics and performance metrics to inform decision-making, identify cost efficiencies, and measure procurement effectiveness.
• Guide cross functional teams in the application and benefits of establishing category strategies.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline sourcing operations, enhance efficiency, and optimize procurement effectiveness.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, procurement, finance, or a related discipline; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in procurement including at least 5 years in an R&D Procurement leadership role.
• Proven expertise in procurement category management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, and cost optimization.
• In-depth understanding of Clinical Development categories, including the unique challenges and dynamics of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing CRO relationships, conducting supplier evaluations, and negotiating complex agreements.
• Strong leadership track record, with experience leading cross-functional teams and managing direct reports in a global, matrixed environment.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate insights into actionable sourcing strategies.
• Superior communication and presentation abilities, capable of influencing senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proven ability to identify and mitigate procurement risks, including vendor reliability and supply chain disruptions.
• Demonstrated capability in driving process improvements, implementing best practices, and leveraging technology to enhance procurement performance.
• Commitment to ethical business practices, sustainability, and diversity in the supply base.