Procurement Sourcing Specialist

About Forge  

Forge, a member of Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, is a gene therapy development engine, focused on enabling access to life changing gene therapies and helping bring them from idea into reality. We partner with innovators in the gene therapy community: scientists, physicians, biotech/pharma companies, and patient groups. We bring expertise in gene therapy manufacturing and therapeutics development to the table, helping to champion teams that are navigating the long road from the lab bench to the bedside. Our goal is simple but vital to patients living with disease, and we take it seriously. With a patient-first approach, we are forging new models for working together to better accelerate these transformative medicines to reach those who need them the most.   

Job Title: Procurement Sourcing Specialist

About the Role :

• We are currently seeking a Sourcing Specialist to join the Forge Biologics team. In this role, the Sourcing Specialist will directly contribute to the strategic, operational, and supply chain activities required to support the cGMP manufacturing programs and will be responsible for sourcing and securing of all critical materials. They will be required to identify risk and implement new sources of material to minimize financial and operational risk to the business.
• Performs all functions needed to ensure the highest level of quality of purchased materials and services for a site. The purpose is to balance the objectives of maximum product availability with strategic inventory plans. This role will manage all sourcing activities for the supply chain operations department.

What You'll Do:

• Research and develop relationships with critical material manufacturers, ensuring they meet quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Ability to identify, negotiate, and onboard new materials to support new project initiatives working with cross-functional teams
• Support New Material Introduction activities by sourcing raw materials that meet operational and technical needs
• Lead conversations with internal teams and external suppliers to identify and coordinate appropriate materials that meet technical and scheduling requirements
• Negotiate availability and cost of materials from external suppliers. Solicit quotations for materials and services, analyze bids for specification compliance, pricing, delivery commitments, and evaluate the sources to ensure they can sustain providing secure supply chain
• Aid in Vendor review and help Supplier Quality pull information needed to evaluate vendors.
• Prepare data and analyze inventory trends, external and internal key performance metrics, and propose process improvement and the generation or management of key reports, metrics, and projects. This is a service position and is adaptable to the needs of internal and external (suppliers) customers
• Coordinate with Supply Chain Management to evaluate and negotiate competitive supply agreements
• In addition to sourcing, execute daily activities to support procurement processes. Including, but not limited to:
• Executing purchase orders with suppliers, establishing lines of communication with new and existing suppliers, contacting suppliers to obtain price/lead time on products and follow-ups on all open orders, following up on late deliveries and backordered items.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Related Field required
• 3 or more years of experience in procurement and supply chain.
• Prior experience in sourcing of new materials required
• Knowledge of procurement processes and strategic supplier management required
• ISO or equivalent system and change control (FDA, cGMP) experience required.
• Experience in biopharmaceutical manufacturing or regulated supply chain activities preferred
• Self-motivated and able to work well with minimal supervision or in a team environment; consulting with team members and management as needed
• Ability to work hours necessary to support production and/or product transfer activities
• Strong knowledge of various ERP/MRP systems