***Upgraded to Buyer/Contract Administrator III***

 

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Buyer to support our growing biotechnology operations and a candidate who also has Contract Administration experience. This dual-role position will be responsible for sourcing and purchasing goods and services required for a CDMO organization, as well as administering and managing contracts with suppliers and customers. The ideal candidate will have experience in the life sciences industry, strong negotiation skills, and a solid understanding of procurement and contracting best practices in a regulated environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Purchasing /Procurement

• Source, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers for laboratory equipment, raw materials, reagents, and services.
• Create and manage Purchase Orders in accordance with company policies and budget constraints.
• Pursue cost savings and recommendations for cost savings.
• Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with internal teams to ensure timely replenishment of critical supplies.
• Ensure timely delivery and resolve any issues related to delays, discrepancies, or non-compliance.
• Maintain supplier database and evaluate supplier performance based on quality, delivery, and pricing.
• Work cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, and finance teams to align procurement activities with project timelines and financial controls.
• Develop purchasing guidelines and SOPs, as needed. Participates in short and long-term procurement planning strategies.
• Perform other purchasing/procurement related activities as assigned.

Contract Administration

• Draft, review, and administer contracts including MSAs, CDAs, SOWs, supply agreements, and service contracts.
• Maintain a central repository of contracts and track key terms, renewals, milestones, and expiration dates.
• Consult with legal, finance, and department leads ensuring contracts are aligned with regulatory and organizational policies.
• Facilitate contract negotiations with suppliers, customers, and collaborators.
• Ensure contractual compliance and manage documentation to support audits or inspections (e.g., ISO, FDA, etc.).
• Support risk management by identifying and addressing contractual issues or liabilities.
• Perform other contracting related activities as assigned.

General

• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures for new assignments.
• Establishes and maintains business relationship with suppliers, partners, and collaborators.
• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work, general instruction on new assignments.
• Writes documents that contain single and simple information so that others can understand, with minimal revision.
• Manages own time on multiple tasks when no time or priority conflicts.

Work Environment

• Primarily on-site, some hybrid considered.
• Occasional travel may be required to meet suppliers or attend audits.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. Equivalent experience may be accepted.
• 4 years of experience in purchasing, preferably in biotech, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industries along with contract administration experience.
• Strong understanding of procurement and contracting principles in a regulated environment.
• Proficiency with procurement and MRP/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, Coupa) and Microsoft products and Smartsheet.
• Knowledge of GMP/GxP is a plus.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and work collaboratively across departments.
• High attention to detail and confidentiality.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to pass pre-employment drug screening and background check for employment consideration.
• Performance of tasks essential to the job function may require the employee to work directly with, handle, or otherwise come into contact with chemicals or pharmaceutical agents.