Director, Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management

Cardurion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. • Burlington, MA

4h • $220,000 - $235,000

About The Position

Cardurion Pharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular disease. The Director, Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management, reporting to the Chief Business and Operating Officer, is responsible for developing and executing the company’s sourcing strategy to support its portfolio of work. This role involves leading vendor selection, contracting, financial oversight, and governance for external service providers. The Director will establish scalable vendor sourcing and management processes, foster strategic partnerships with key vendors, and ensure strong sponsor oversight. This position requires cross-functional collaboration with Clinical Operations, Finance, Legal, Quality, and other departments to ensure vendor relationships align with program execution, quality standards, and financial stewardship.

Requirements

• Proven experience handling confidential and sensitive information with the ability to exercise discretion and show good judgment; honesty, integrity, and trust building behaviors in all dealings is essential and required.
• Possesses a broad view of the departmental goals and sees the “big picture” scientifically and strategically.
• Self-motivated, with initiative and the ability to take ownership of, and follow through with, specific tasks under limited direction.
• Effective time management and organization skills with ability to multi-task and shift priorities quickly while working under tight deadlines.
• Must have excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Skilled in developing collaborative internal and external relationships.
• Ability to effectively communicate, collaborate, and deliver an excellent work product in a fast-paced, and rapidly growing dynamic company.
• BS or BA in Life Sciences, Business or related field (Advanced degree preferred).
• A minimum of 10 years of related work experience in Clinical Outsourcing, vendor management or Clinical Operations within the Pharmaceutical, Biotech or CRO industry.
• Strong knowledge of clinical trial processes, GCP guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience negotiating contracts and managing vendor relationships.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Cardurion’s sourcing and vendor management strategy supporting the portfolio of work.
• Establish a scalable vendor ecosystem aligned with the company’s portfolio, including vendor segmentation and preferred vendor strategies.
• Continuously evaluate the sourcing model to ensure alignment with company growth and development priorities.
• Identify opportunities to optimize vendor utilization, improve operational efficiency, and enhance quality and cost performance across external supplier partnerships.
• Lead vendor identification, evaluation, and selection processes for external service providers.
• Design and execute competitive sourcing processes including RFPs and bid defenses.
• Partner with business owners and cross-functional stakeholders to support vendor selection decisions aligned with program needs.
• Ensure vendor capabilities, capacity, and operational models support study timelines and quality expectations.
• Lead commercial strategy and negotiation of vendor agreements, including MSAs and service contracts.
• Partner with Legal and Finance to ensure contractual alignment with company policies, financial controls, and risk management requirements.
• Ensure contractual structures support appropriate sponsor oversight and operational accountability.
• Establish vendor governance frameworks in collaboration with business owners, including performance metrics, KPIs, and meeting structures.
• Manage relationship-level vendor performance issues and escalation processes to ensure timely resolution.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with strategic vendors to optimize operational performance and address operational challenges identified by internal teams.
• Establish standards for financial management of sourced services.
• Partner with Finance and Department leadership to support budget planning, forecasting, accruals, and vendor spend oversight.
• Provide commercial and financial insight to department leadership regarding vendor cost structures, budget development, and outsourcing strategy.
• Partner with business owners, Quality, Legal, and Finance to ensure alignment of vendor strategy and oversight.
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory Affairs to ensure vendor activities comply with regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA, ICH-GCP) and support ongoing inspection readiness.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and implement scalable vendor management processes and governance tools.
• Develop templates, tools, and best practices in partnership with business owners to support efficient vendor engagement and management with an eye to continuous improvement.
• Contribute to development and maintenance of departmental SOPs related to sourcing and vendor oversight.

Benefits

• Highly competitive package with healthcare coverage including medical, dental and vision
• Fully funded Healthcare Savings Account for high-deductible PPO Plan
• 4 weeks paid time off annually
• 10 company paid holidays and year-end shut down
• 401k (traditional and Roth offered) with company match
• A suite of Cardurion-paid insurance coverage, including life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director