Director, Trade Operations

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.•Brisbane, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

At Pacira, innovation meets purpose. Pacira BioSciences, Inc. is a pioneer in non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions. Today, we’re building on that legacy with next-generation innovations for chronic, postsurgical, and musculoskeletal pain. Our culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to helping patients recover faster. We are redefining what’s possible in pain management—and we can’t do it without talented people like you. Why Join Us? At Pacira, every career is more than a job. Our mission drives us, and every day, we challenge ourselves to achieve the extraordinary. Integrity is at the core of who we are. We value diverse perspectives and the collective strength of a unified team. Join the team in making better possible for patients everywhere. Summary: The Director, Trade Operations is responsible for leading both the strategic and hands-on execution of Pacira’s trade and distribution activities across all channels, including 3PL, wholesalers, specialty distributors, specialty pharmacies, and sample programs. This role ensures continuous product availability and seamless distribution of Pacira’s product portfolio (EXPAREL and ZILRETTA) by proactively managing inventory levels and coordinating closely with external partners. The Director oversees chargeback reconciliation, pricing and contract compliance, manages trade data flows and analytics, and drives process improvements to enhance visibility and performance tracking. This role collaborates cross-functionally with Finance, Supply Chain, Market Access, Marketing, and Commercial teams to support product launches, pricing changes, packaging/label updates, and supply chain planning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA preferred
8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical trade operations or commercial distribution
3+ years of people management experience
Deep knowledge of pharmaceutical distribution networks and 3PL operations
Experience with ERP systems, EDI data (844/867), and trade data platforms
Strong analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Ability to balance strategic leadership with operational execution
Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
High attention to detail and data accuracy
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
Focus on continuous improvement and leveraging technology to enhance operations

Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive trade and distribution strategies across all channels to ensure efficient product availability and channel performance.
Lead 3PL (ICS) operations, including service level agreements, proactive inventory monitoring, sample inventory management, and cost optimization. Ensure continuity of supply and prevent stock-outs through forward-looking planning and controls.
Manage wholesaler and specialty distributor relationships, including contract execution, pricing notifications, and roster management. Resolve ordering, pricing, and contract issues that may impact product access.
Oversee chargeback reconciliation and credit/rebill processes to ensure accuracy and alignment with contract terms. Partner with Finance to resolve discrepancies and mitigate financial risk.
Manage trade data flows and reporting, including EDI (852/867) data. Identify and resolve discrepancies, ensure data accuracy, and develop dashboards and KPIs to support decision-making and performance tracking.
Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements (e.g., DSCSA, licensing) and adherence to contractual obligations. Maintain audit readiness and proper documentation.
Serve as the trade operations lead in cross-functional initiatives, including product launches, pricing changes, and packaging/label updates. Ensure alignment across Marketing, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Commercial teams.
Drive process improvements and automation across trade operations, including inventory monitoring, reporting, and workflow standardization. Develop SOPs for key processes such as returns, chargebacks, pricing updates, and distribution workflows.
Ensure full visibility into distribution performance, inventory levels, and order status. Provide regular insights and reporting to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
This role does not have direct people management responsibilities. However, the Director may provide guidance, mentorship, and oversight to cross-functional partners, project teams, or temporary resources as needed to support trade operations initiatives.