Associate Director, Engineering & Technical Services Procurement

Iovance Biotherapeutics aims to be the global leader in innovating, developing and delivering tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy for people with cancer. We are pioneering a transformational approach to treating cancer by harnessing the ability of the human immune system to recognize and attack diverse cancer cells in each patient. The Iovance TIL platform has demonstrated promising clinical data across multiple solid tumors. We are committed to continuous innovation in cell therapy, including gene-edited cell therapy, which may be a promising option for patients with cancer.

Overview

The Associate Director, Engineering & Technical Services Procurement is responsible for the execution of procurement process as it relates to requests within and across Engineering, Manufacturing, Site MRO Services, Technical Development, and other categories as needed. The Associate Director is accountable for business partnering with senior stakeholders to drive an integrated and aligned category strategy that optimum business value and savings impact through sourcing, strategic planning, and external spend management. 

The Associate Director has deep knowledge of relevant categories and demonstrated experience in driving end to end sourcing process that delivers breakthrough results.  This position needs to balance the dynamic needs of the internal business, evolving market conditions, and supplier capabilities to deliver the best overall procurement benefit. The Associate Director needs to support business stakeholders operationalize both their short and long-term objectives by interfacing with appropriate external vendor networks to implement cost effective solutions that simultaneously reduce supply risk.

This position collaborates with Legal to secure the best contractual terms protecting Iovance’s intellectual property and securing goods and services. The position is responsible for ensuring all sourcing requests are executed in line with the business strategies and in compliance with relevant policies and procedures, including preferred vendor programs, legal and quality agreements. 

This position will report to the Director, Procurement and will work closely with Legal, Finance, Manufacturing, Site Services, Engineering, Technical Development and other departments as necessary. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

•    Drives the strategic and compliant sourcing of goods/services in support of key internal business partners: Site Technical Services (including facility Maintenance, Repair, and Operations), Engineering, Technical Development, and Manufacturing
•    Oversees end-to-end outsourcing process, including execution of best-in-class sourcing strategies, supplier rationalization, Request for Proposal (RFP) coordination, cost negotiations, and due diligence 
•    Manages business case generation that summarizes competitive bidding process, scoring methodology, and selection justification for the most technically and commercially viable solution(s) for the required services, quality, and cost
•    Identifies opportunities for supplier base consolidation, standardization, and innovation across diverse and potentially fragmented categories to support on-site manufacturing operational continuity and uptime
•    Negotiates optimal terms, competitive pricing, favorable service level agreements (SLAs), and risk mitigation clauses with external manufacturing and analytical laboratory partners
•    Streamlines long-term category strategies that achieve operational efficiency and continue to lower Iovance’s total cost of ownership (TCO)
•    Leads procurement strategy for acquiring engineering and construction services, automation, and capital equipment.
•    Leverages procurement best practices to recognize cost reduction and avoidance, achieving meaningful savings that improve organization’s financial performance
•    Collaborates with the Legal and Finance organization to ensure the appropriate execution of key controls including third party agreements to protect Iovance interests with third party vendors. 
•    Leadership of cross-functional teams across business functions to drive initiatives that maximize value of external spend with third party suppliers
•    Develops performance benchmarks and scorecards, including key performance indicator reporting for senior management to aid continuous improvement efforts
•    Must adhere to Iovance Biotherapeutics’ core values, policies, procedures, and business ethics
•    Perform miscellaneous duties as assigned 

Travel

•    May need to travel periodically to various Iovance locations (San Carlos, CA, Tampa, FL and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) on an as needed basis.

Required Education, Skills, and Knowledge

•    Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics/Finance, or a related area
•    At least 10 years Procurement and/or relevant business experience within Manufacturing, Technical Site Services, Analytical Development, and Engineering functions 
•    Proven track record of negotiating complex third-party transactions that deliver maximum savings and enterprise risk mitigation
•    Understanding of supplier cost structures, with ability to analyze the market competitiveness of supplier’s proposed direct material, direct labor, sub-contracted services, overhead, and other SG&A costs
•    Ability to work in a highly complex and fast-moving developing biotechnology company, driving collaboration within business units and key functional partners at executive levels 
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrating the ability to communicate developed strategies and supporting analysis effectively to ensure both corporate and departmental objectives are satisfactorily achieved
•    Ability to demonstrate procurement’s value and positively influence the business to drive breakthrough results
•    Working knowledge of finance and/or accounting in terms of budgeting, cost management, financial accounting, treasury, risk management, etc. 
•    In-depth knowledge of sourcing and procurement principles, processes, systems and best practices within and across MRO, Manufacturing & Development, and Engineering categories 
•    Strategic mindset and strong negotiation skills to optimize large commercial deals 
•    Demonstrated business insight with good analytical and problem-solving skills
•    Familiarity with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, as well as understanding of standard contractual terms and conditions to mitigate risk 
•    Change management skills and self-awareness to take varying approaches with a dynamic set of stakeholders 
•    Knowledge of enterprise risk management and business continuity planning 
•    Ability to travel domestically approximately twice a quarter to support sourcing initiatives and supplier relationship management activities

Preferred Education, Skills, and Knowledge

•    Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics, Procurement, Finance, or a related area
•    Industry knowledge in terms of broad industry dynamics on the buy-side (and the sell-side), but also the internal knowledge and “language of the business” 
•    Experience with modern sourcing and procurement systems

Physical Demands and Activities Required 

•    Must be able to remain in a stationary position standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time. 
•    Must be able to move about inside an office and exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. 
•    Must have visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer screen, and extensive reading.  
•    This position requires repetitive motion, substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
•    Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information.

Mental: Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment, troubleshooting, problem-solving, analysis, and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines

Work Environment 

This job operates in a professional workplace or remote office environment and requires standard office equipment and keyboards. Employees who work remotely are expected to maintain their workspace and environment safely and free from safety hazards.