Local Vendor Manager

The Position 

The Local Vendor Manager contributes to the Clinical Research Organisation (CRO) strategic partnership , ensuring the multiple complex interfaces are seamless and efficient and that pipeline commitments are delivered with maximum speed and highest customer value.

Provides direction and leadership within their assigned R/OPU while representing their assigned R/OPU in the Global Vendor Management Network. Responsible for the CRO strategic partnership and local vendor engagements at the R/OPU level, including oversight of quality, performance of the CRO and local/regional vendors, contractual and financial oversight, as well as continued enhancement of the CRO strategic partnerships and local/regional vendor relationships. Contributes and ensures execution of the global vendor management strategy in their assigned R/OPU in alignment with the global Target Operating Model (TOM).

This position will collaborate closely with the Head Global Vendor Partnerships – CD&O Regions, CD&O Vendor Management Capability lead, the CRO, and other local and global functions to ensure a successful partnership that drives clinical development excellence.

This job posting is for an existing vacant position. 

Responsibilities

In alignment with the HBPU Intent, Medicine Excellence goals and CD&O priorities, implements, oversees, and maintains the strategic CRO partnership and operating model at a local/regional level. Ensures strong collaboration with both Global CD&O and CRO that drives excellence in operations and delivery of pipeline commitments for CD&O.

Leads vendor governance process for respective R/OPU with local/regional CD&O and internal stakeholders. Lead and conducts regular governance meetings for assigned R/OPU with CRO, local vendors, & R/OPU stakeholders focusing on operational delivery, quality, contractual and financial oversight.

Assesses CRO and vendor performance at R/OPU level in collaboration with R/OPU stakeholders against internal and external benchmarks and KPIs. Provides R/OPU performance feedback to Head Global Vendor Partnerships – CD&O  regions.

Accountable for CRO and vendor issue resolution at the R/OPU level in accordance with the CRO operating model and governance. Manages CRO and vendor issue escalation and resolution process for respective R/OPU to drive delivery of appropriate execution and delivery of clinical studies on time.

Leads and oversees onboarding of vendor staff to ensure timely access to BI systems to meet R/OPU trial
commitments. Co-develops tools, processes and instructions aimed at continuously enhancing performance and service delivery at a R/OPU level. Support local QM during internal and regulatory audits and inspections

Defines the scope and specifications of services required from CRO and vendors at the R/OPU level in collaboration with the different stakeholders. 

Provides CRO with projected R/OPU requirements to ensure timely and appropriate allocation of skilled resources. Responsible for ensuring appropriate resources are available from CRO for current and planned projects in the R/OPU.

Collaborates closely with Head Global Vendor Partnerships on the FSP work order and change order process to ensure R/OPU services are adequately covered, and appropriate contracting is in place as required. Collaborates closely with Sourcing for purchasing activities in support of local/regional vendor engagements.

Serves as the primary point of contact for the CRO and vendors within the R/OPU. Manages communications regarding CRO assignments and trial changes impacting the deliverable of the service with the CRO including but not limited to, timelines, site numbers, issue identification, appropriate escalation, and resolution.

Oversees CRO staff transitions ensuring, in collaboration with the CRO, sound transition plans are in place for business continuity. 

Liaises with the Head Global Vendor Partnerships and leads training and change management activities related to the implementation of CRO operating model in their R/OPU.

Foster continuous improvement by monitoring industry trends and communicates information to the Head Global Vendor Partnerships and local/regional management, including potential risks.

Liaises with the Global Vendor Management personnel for activities related to the implementation of local vendor engagement in their R/OPU. Ensures qualification activities are completed and oversight plans are in place per Medicine procedures.

Supports Head Global Vendor Partnerships CD&O Vendor Management capability lead, by defining proper oversight measurements to foster an environment of continuous improvement for assigned R/OPU.

Fosters a learning culture in assigned R/OPU by encouraging continuous learning, sharing best practices, learning from failures. Embraces innovative technologies, as well as creates and maintains a culture that inspires and motivates, drives empowerment, smart risk taking and one common CD&O identity.

Serves as a subject matter expert in areas of vendor management practices and principles and leads and/or
coaches other CD&O personnel supporting vendor engagements within their assigned R/OPU. In some cases, leads a vendor management functional team for their assigned R/OPU.

This position is field-based.

Field-based roles require employees to be located in the area/region where their role is based to be close to our customers. 

Requirements

• University degree and/or comparable professional experience 
• Major focus: Life Science or Business 
• Experience: Clinical Operations relevant experience within pharmaceutical industry and/or CRO 
• 5 or more years of experience in clinical research with a preferred focus on vendor management and/or clinical outsourcing practices.
• Strong Communication Skills: Demonstrates AAI approach and skills in complex crossfunctional matrix structures of the trial and extended team. Articulates and aligns business strategy/plan on an ongoing basis, ensuring alignment between words and action. 
• Demonstrates active listening skills and cultural awareness.
• Operational Expertise: Demonstrates therapeutic knowledge and operational expertise across all various work packages managed by external sources.
• Leadership and Influence: Demonstrates skills and capabilities in addressing complex situations, confidently setting direction for teams. Demonstrates leadership behaviors of supporting, connecting, and empowering teams, providing future direction, demonstrating visionary and innovative thinking and inspiring teams to achieve a
  common goal. Executes activities with a clear aim to deliver value to patients.
• Strategic Mindset: Strategic and visionary thinker who is future focused, creative, courageous, and able to navigate through ambiguity. Embraces cross functional initiatives, applying innovative learnings. Is results-oriented with a global mindset using analytical thinking to provide risk-balanced solutions.
• The Customer Value Driver: Ability to actively engage with customers, building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Coordination and Oversight: Collaborative individual contributor who demonstrates skills and capabilities in setting priorities, managing pace of activities, and efficient usage of resources.

Total Rewards