Title: Clinical Supply Chain Manager (CMC / Clinical Trials)
Location: Boston, MA
Duration: 12+ Months
Shift & Timing: Regular Business Hour, Monday to Friday
Pay Range: $80-90/Hour
Job Description:
- The Clinical Supply Chain Manager is responsible for representing the clinical supply function to senior leadership and cross-functional CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) teams. This role translates clinical trial demand into actionable supply strategies, ensuring uninterrupted availability of investigational products through effective planning, forecasting, manufacturing coordination, and inventory management.
- The position serves as a key liaison across Clinical Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams, ensuring alignment between clinical demand and supply execution while proactively managing risks, timelines, and stakeholder communication.
Key Responsibilities:
Stakeholder Management & Leadership Communication
- Represent the clinical supply function in discussions with Senior Leadership and CMC teams.
- Provide regular updates on project progress, risks, milestones, and performance against goals.
- Lead and participate in cross-functional meetings to ensure alignment across Clinical, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain stakeholders.
- Act as the primary point of contact for supply-related matters across ongoing and upcoming clinical programs.
Demand & Supply Planning:
- Translate clinical trial demand forecasts into supply requirements based on study design, enrollment projections, and site activation plans.
- Develop and maintain end-to-end clinical supply plans covering API, drug product, and ancillary materials.
- Ensure demand is accurately communicated to manufacturing and external partners to support timely production and delivery.
Manufacturing & Supply Execution:
- Plan and execute API and drug product manufacturing campaigns in alignment with clinical timelines.
- Coordinate with internal manufacturing sites and external CMOs/CDMOs to ensure capacity and production readiness.
- Monitor production schedules and proactively address supply risks or constraints.
Inventory & Distribution Management:
- Maintain optimal inventory levels across depots and clinical sites to prevent stockouts or overstocking.
- Oversee inventory movement, including distribution, storage, and replenishment of clinical supplies.
- Ensure efficient global distribution of investigational products in compliance with regulatory standards.
Tools, Systems & Data Management:
- Maintain and continuously improve supply/demand planning tools and systems (e.g., IRT, forecasting tools).
- Track and report key supply chain metrics, including demand accuracy, inventory levels, and supply risks.
- Utilize data insights to support decision-making and optimize supply chain efficiency.
Vendor & External Partner Management:
- Manage relationships with external vendors, including CMOs, packaging vendors, and logistics providers.
- Oversee vendor performance, timelines, and deliverables to ensure compliance with project requirements.
- Support contract negotiations and ensure service-level agreements are met.
Clinical Supply Strategy & Initiatives:
- Support and drive clinical supply chain initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, scalability, and compliance.
- Identify opportunities for process optimization and implement best practices across clinical supply operations.
- Contribute to strategic planning for future clinical programs and pipeline expansion.
Risk Management & Issue Resolution:
- Identify potential supply chain risks (e.g., manufacturing delays, demand variability, logistics challenges).
- Develop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply to clinical trials.
- Lead issue resolution and escalation processes for supply-related challenges.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, or related field.
- 5–10+ years of experience in clinical supply chain, pharma/biotech, or CMC environment.
- Strong understanding of clinical trial processes, GMP/GxP regulations, and supply chain operations.
- Experience with demand planning, inventory management, and manufacturing coordination.
Key Skills & Competencies:
- Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management.
- Advanced planning and forecasting capabilities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Vendor and project management expertise.
- Analytical mindset with proficiency in supply chain tools.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, global clinical environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with global clinical trials and multi-region supply chains.
- Familiarity with IRT systems and clinical supply technologies.
- PMP / APICS / Six Sigma certification (preferred).
If you are not interested in looking at new opportunities at this time I fully understand. I would in that case be appreciative of any referrals you could provide from your network of friends and colleagues in the industry. We do offer a referral bonus that I’d be happy to extend to you if they turn out to be a great fit for my client.
Thank you for your time and for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
