Senior Procurement Specialist

Lila Sciences • Cambridge, MA

17h • $88,000 - $126,000

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Procurement Specialist to support our fast-paced, AI-driven Research & Development organization. This role partners closely with scientists, lab operations, and cross-functional teams to enable the timely, compliant, and cost-effective procurement of scientific goods and services. Reporting to Corie Silverstein, this is a hands-on role ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic, research-driven environments and enjoys supporting rapidly evolving scientific programs.

Requirements

• 5+ years of procurement or sourcing experience, preferably supporting R&D or scientific organizations
• Experience sourcing scientific materials, equipment, and research services
• Strong negotiation, organization, and communication skills
• Experience with procurement or ERP systems (e.g., Prendio, NetSuite, Oracle)

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in high-growth, fast-paced environments
• Experience in biotech, pharma, diagnostics, or research-driven startups
• Familiarity with CRO/CDMO engagements and lab operations

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end procurement for R&D-related categories including lab consumables, reagents, equipment, and scientific software
• Daily review and approval of purchase requisitions.
• Support time-sensitive research needs by executing purchases quickly and accurately
• Serve as the primary procurement partner for assigned teams
• Source, evaluate, and onboard scientific suppliers in alignment with procurement, quality, and compliance requirements
• Support supplier negotiations within established sourcing strategies and approval frameworks
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve delivery, quality, or pricing issues
• Partner with scientists, lab managers, R&D operations, Finance, Legal, and Quality to understand technical requirements and timelines
• Provide guidance on compliant purchasing processes, preferred suppliers, and sourcing options
• Balance speed, cost, and risk to support evolving research priorities
• Experience supporting corporate travel or expense platforms (e.g., Ramp) in an operational or administrative capacity
• Support contract review and execution in collaboration with Legal and the Procurement Manager
• Ensure procurement activities comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards
• Maintain accurate records to support audits, inspections, and reporting
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement workflows and tools to better support R&D teams
• Track and report key procurement metrics such as spend, cycle time, and supplier performance
• Contribute to SOPs and continuous improvement initiatives

Benefits

• We expect the base salary for this role to fall between $88,000–$126,000 USD per year , along with bonus potential and generous early equity.
• The final offer will reflect your unique background, expertise, and impact.
• Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees