Cell Orchestration Manager/Senior Manager

Job description

**About Us****…** Obsidian Therapeutics is pioneering engineered cell and gene therapies to deliver transformative outcomes for patients. Obsidian’s programs apply our cytoDRiVE® technology in Cell and Gene therapy products to control expression of proteins for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and safety. Obsidian’s lead program is currently in clinical development for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. We’re proud of our diverse talented team and committed to cultivating an environment of inclusion where each person feels a strong sense of belonging and is supported to continuously learn and contribute their best work. Our Research team is based in the heart of Cambridge, MA, and Technical Operations team is based in our purpose built facility in Bedford, MA. Obsidianites enjoy a highly collaborative culture, competitive salary and benefits, and potential for ownership through stock options. **Our Opportunity...** We are looking for a highly motivated **Cell Orchestration Manager/Senior Manager**, with a strong background in autologous cell therapy supply chain operations, patient scheduling, and clinical logistics management. As a key contributor within our Supply Chain team, you’ll own end-to-end logistics coordination and scheduling activities supporting our first clinical stage autologous cell therapy program targeting solid tumors. You’ll oversee the operational execution of each patient’s journey from tumor procurement through manufacturing and infusion, serving as the central point of contact across clinical sites, contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), logistics providers, and internal stakeholders. You will lead patient logistics management activities in coordination with our manufacturing partners, support scheduling and supply chain execution, act as the primary operational interface for manufacturing partners, proactively manage risks, drive issue resolution, ensure chain of identity (COI) and chain of custody (COC) compliance, and contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives that enhance reliability, scalability, and end to end logistics. As a member of our Technical Operations team, you will be a vital part of a highly collaborative group working to unlock the promise of precision cell therapy for patients, starting with our lead program amsoki-cel (OBX-115), a novel engineered tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy that uses our proprietary cytoDRiVE® platform. This is a unique opportunity to be a valuable contributor in a clinical-stage company with field-leading advisors, best-in-class partners, and an experienced team. **This is a Hybrid role based out of our Bedford, MA location.** **You Will...** *Core responsibilities* - Own the end-to-end orchestration of patient-specific treatment journeys, including tumor procurement, manufacturing, product release, shipment, and infusion activities. - Serve as the operational command center for patient treatment scheduling, ensuring alignment across Clinical Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Technical Operations, clinical sites, and external partners. - Lead manufacturing slot coordination activities, securing and optimizing production capacity while balancing patient needs, site readiness, and manufacturing constraints. - Coordinate patient treatment schedules in partnership with Clinical Operations team and proactively manage changes resulting from clinical, operational, or manufacturing events. - Drive prioritization, issue resolution, and escalation activities to minimize disruption to patient treatment timelines. - Maintain visibility of critical patient treatment milestones and communicate risks, schedule changes, and operational impacts to key stakeholders. - Serve as the primary operational scheduling liaison with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), overseeing production timelines, capacity utilization, , and governance activities. - Lead routine operational reviews with External Manufacturing team and manufacturing partners and ensure accountability for service-level expectations and drug manufacturing logistics. - Oversee patient-specific logistics activities, including site facing tumor tissue collection supplies and materials, cellular starting material, drug product shipments, correlation samples, and ancillary study materials. - Coordinate logistics execution across courier partners, manufacturing facilities, and clinical sites while proactively managing transportation risks and contingency plans. - Ensure adherence to chain of identity (COI), chain of custody (COC), and GxP requirements throughout the patient journey. - Partner with Quality and Technical Operations to support investigations, root cause analyses, deviation management, corrective actions, and audit readiness activities. - Monitor service-level performance across logistics and manufacturing partners through key performance indicators, including schedule adherence, product release timing, transportation and compliance metrics. - Lead cross-functional risk assessment, escalation, and mitigation activities to ensure continuity of patient supply and treatment execution. - Analyze operational trends, develop supply chain key performance indicators, and provide actionable insights to improve visibility, reliability, and scalability across the patient supply chain. - Support implementation and optimization of digital orchestration, scheduling, and tracking platforms. - Contribute to SOP development, process harmonization, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, operational excellence, and future scalability. **You Bring...** *Core Qualifications* - Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, life sciences, or related field with 6+ years of experience. - 5+ years of experience supporting clinical operations, supply chain, patient operations, manufacturing operations, or logistics within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, cell therapy, or related healthcare industries. - Strong understanding of autologous cell therapy patient supply chains, including manufacturing capacity planning, treatment scheduling, and patient supply execution. - Proven experience managing patient-specific manufacturing schedules, treatment planning activities, and external vendor relationships. - Experience collaborating with CMOs, CDMOs, CROs, specialty logistics providers, and other external partners supporting clinical development programs. - Understanding of chain of identity (COI), chain of custody (COC), and GxP-regulated operations, including familiarity with GMP, GDP, and GCP requirements. - Experience utilizing patient orchestration platforms, supply chain management systems, CTMS, ERP systems, scheduling tools, and logistics tracking platforms. - Strong knowledge of managing temperature controlled cold chains including 2-8C, -80C, and LN2 preferred: Prior experience in managing such shipments in collaboration with logistics partners. - Excellent planning, coordination, and time management skills - Excellent oral, written, and visual communication skills. You listen to understand and communicate effectively and persuasively with partners, colleagues, and leadership. - Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with department management, peers, and other colleagues across the organization - Flexibility - ability to adapt to changes and priorities to fulfill our mission, including after-hours or weekend support. - Collaborative and accountable – recognizes success requires teamwork and interdisciplinary thinking; shares feedback and ideas to facilitate better outcomes - Self-motivated, with a proven ability to meet objectives, timelines, and high standards managing multiple responsibilities in parallel. - Flexible - adapts to change in a fast paced, rapidly developing environment - Curious and humble – seeks and welcomes input/expertise of others, continuous learner - Tenacious and resilient – is not easily overwhelmed by challenges, delivers on commitments, operates with urgency. *Bonus Qualifications* - Advanced degree in supply chain or logistics preferred. - ICCBBA and ISBT-128 knowledge - (TIL) Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte experience - Cell Therapy Logistics Regulations and best practice knowledge Obsidian is committed to equitable and transparent pay practices. The anticipated base salary range for this role is below. The actual base salary offered will be determined based on a combination of factors, including applicable qualifications, level of education, the depth of experience, unique skills, geographic location, internal equity, and/or business needs. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with federal, state, and/or local wage requirements for the role’s location. Our competitive compensation package includes an annual incentive bonus as a percentage of actual base salary and long-term incentives in the form of employee stock options, both of which are commensurate with the role’s level. We also offer a generous benefits package which includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; company contributions to health savings and retirement accounts; ample paid time off; access to wellness programs; and rich career growth opportunities. Anticipated Base Salary Range $115,500—$167,500 USD *Obsidian is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, cultivating a welcoming and diverse environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.*