Associate Director, Global Strategic Sourcing and Procurement

About the Company

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical firm that creates medicines targeting challenging diseases by silencing the corresponding genes through RNA interference (RNAi). Using advanced RNA chemistries and delivery methods, their treatments efficiently reduce the expression of problematic genes, thereby lowering the production of related proteins. This technology allows Arrowhead to tackle diseases driven by genetic causes, especially conditions linked to protein overproduction that are difficult to address with traditional drugs.

The company operates from headquarters in Pasadena, CA, with R&D teams in Madison, WI and San Diego, CA, and a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Its workforce consists of innovative, science-focused professionals working collaboratively to bring new therapies to patients.

Position Overview

The Associate Director of Global Strategic Sourcing and Procurement will spearhead the development and rollout of worldwide sourcing strategies within the Supply Chain function of this biotech enterprise. The role focuses on enhancing supplier performance, minimizing costs, managing risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance in a highly controlled environment. This position demands strong expertise in biotech and pharmaceutical sourcing categories like CROs, CDMOs, clinical services, capital equipment, and direct spend management. The candidate should possess robust negotiation skills and experience building scalable procurement processes that align with global growth. The role is based onsite with a five-day workweek expectation.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement global category strategies aligned with corporate goals and pipeline needs for direct spend.
• Lead development of long-term sourcing plans covering direct spend areas.
• Promote supplier consolidation and initiatives that generate value and reduce risk.
• Develop preferred supplier programs and establish strategic partnerships worldwide.
• Support supply chain continuity planning and risk management.
• Manage the complete sourcing process including RFI/RFP, supplier selection, negotiation, and contract execution.
• Conduct complex negotiations with global suppliers to secure optimal pricing, service levels, and contract terms.
• Work closely with legal teams to ensure contracts comply with regulatory, compliance, and intellectual property standards.
• Collaborate with Corporate Strategic Sourcing to enforce procurement policies, controls, and regulatory compliance such as SOX.
• Drive annual cost savings and cost avoidance objectives.
• Track and report procurement KPIs including savings metrics, cycle times, supplier performance, and compliance.
• Maintain strategic partnerships with Global Operations, CMC, Finance, and executive leadership stakeholders.
• Advise leadership on supplier market trends, risks, and sourcing landscapes.
• Establish governance frameworks for suppliers including quarterly business reviews, scorecards, and performance evaluations.
• Champion continuous improvement and innovation with strategic suppliers.
• Ensure suppliers adhere to quality standards, regulatory mandates, ESG policies, and diversity requirements.
• Oversee onboarding and qualification of global direct suppliers.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in cGMP regulated environments and 5+ years in pharmaceutical supply chain leadership roles.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, project management, collaborative, and analytical abilities.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience with Smartsheet or similar work management software.
• Competence in creating and presenting operational and financial KPIs.
• In-depth understanding of technical operations or Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC).
• Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct reporting lines to meet challenging targets.
• Ability to quickly learn and manage multiple priorities while adapting to changing demands.
• Resourceful and creative thinker with a readiness to devise contingency plans and make effective decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading large, complex strategic projects independently.
• Background in designing operations network strategies for rapidly expanding global markets.

Compensation and Work Location

The salary range is $150,000 to $180,000 USD depending on location (Wisconsin and California respectively). Arrowhead offers competitive salaries alongside comprehensive benefits.

Additional Information

Candidates must have valid authorization to work in the position's country location. The role is based onsite at offices in Pasadena, San Diego, or Verona with an expectation of full-time, five-day office attendance.