Associate Director, Procurement

Job description

JOB SUMMARY We are hiring an Associate Director of Procurement to help build out the Supply Chain and Procurement function at Iambic, a company redefining drug discovery and development by applying industry-leading technology. Reporting to the SVP of Finance, this role will be responsible for leading and scaling the company’s procurement function. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in supply chain and procurement within the biotech or pharmaceutical industry. This role will work closely with the Finance Team as well as across multiple departments to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Company’s procurement operations. This position will be based out of our San Diego Headquarters. RESPONSIBILITIES - Define and execute a company-wide procurement strategy aligned with scientific platform needs and corporate objectives - Build, lead, and mentor a small but high-performing procurement team as the organization scales - Establish procurement as a strategic function, influencing decision-making across the organization - Develop long-term sourcing strategies for critical categories including lab automation and scientific instrumentation, CRO/CDMO and building-block suppliers, reagents and consumables, and procurement/data systems - Establish and manage strategic partnerships with key suppliers, CROs, and service providers - Lead complex negotiations, including master service agreements (MSAs), multi-year contracts, and enterprise-level deals - Develop preferred vendor programs and optimize supplier base for quality, cost, and scalability - Monitor supplier performance through KPIs and drive continuous improvement - Act as a key advisor to leadership on external market dynamics, supplier innovation, and make-vs-buy decisions - Lead the transition and implementation of a new procurement/ERP platform (e.g., Coupa), including data migration, process redesign, and change management across the organization QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Life Sciences, or related field; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred - 8+ years of progressive procurement/supply chain experience, including leadership roles - Significant experience in biotech, pharma, or life sciences, ideally within a platform-based or R&D-driven organization - Proven track record of building and scaling procurement functions in high-growth environments - Deep expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier relationship management - Demonstrated success negotiating MSAs, statements of work, and multi-year service agreements with meaningful commercial impact - Experience with ERP and procurement systems (e.g., NetSuite, Coupa) and data-driven decision-making - Experience leading an ERP or procurement platform implementation or migration (e.g., Coupa) strongly preferred - Experience managing or mentoring existing procurement staff through periods of organizational change