Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management

Position Summary

Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management (hybrid; office 3 days/week; based in Princeton, NJ or San Diego, CA).

• Develop and execute vendor/supplier relationship management strategies; manage critical partners (CROs, labs, functional service providers, clinical technologies, patient recruitment/retention).
• Serve as primary point of contact for vendor operational issues; resolve and escal
  * ate via governance pathways.
• Facilitate vendor governance (operational/steering committee meetings).
• Build and maintain supplier scorecards, dashboards, and KPIs to monitor performance, risks, and trends.
• Run routine business reviews with vendors (partnering with Sourcing and Legal as needed).
• Oversee vendor performance for outsourced clinical trials with Clinical Operations; ensure alignment to timelines, budgets, and quality.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support timely, compliant delivery of services.
• Support inspection readiness (audits, oversight documentation, CAPA with Quality).
• Map processes and implement standardized vendor oversight practices.
• Drive continuous improvement: performance, efficiency, collaboration, innovation, best practices/tools, and cost/demand optimization.
• Support vendor reporting/dashboards, analyze metrics, mentor stakeholders, influence cross-functionally.

• BS in life science/related field; advanced degree preferred. ~8 years in clinical trial operations, vendor/CRO oversight, or supplier relationship management (or equivalent).
• Strong clinical trial operations knowledge; working knowledge of ICH GCP, regulatory and quality expectations for outsourced activities.
• Analytical skills (scorecards/KPIs/dashboards); experience with R&D outsourcing/vendor governance; financial exposure (budgeting/accruals).
• Experience with audits/inspection readiness; familiarity with partnership management; excellent communication/organization.
• Travel domestically/internationally.

• Competitive base + discretionary bonus and equity awards; medical/dental/vision; employer-paid life/disability/travel/EAP; 401(k) match; ESPP; 15+ vacation days; 13-15 paid holidays; paid sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.

• Ability to work standard office and independently from remote locations; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 lbs; travel overnight and/or work after hours as needed.