Sr. Director, Outsourced Operations

Summary & Scope of Position:

Direct the outsourced operations functions within Cerus, managing a broad range of Contract Manufacturing Organizations, Vendors/Suppliers and other third parties in support of INTERCEPT Blood System.  Interact extensively with senior management, with project teams, and with internal and external partners (suppliers and customers).

Key Responsibilities

Vendor & Contract Management

• Oversee and support the outsourced operations team responsible for vendor relationship management.
• Lead vendor identification, qualification, onboarding, and management processes.
• Lead and/or oversee vendor contract negotiation; ensure all commercial contracts are current, valid, and compliant.
• Act as the contract and relationship manager for key Intercept Blood System vendors and serve as a delegate for the Vice President, Global Supply Chain on strategic vendor matters.
• Support the development team in the identification, evaluation, and selection of suppliers to meet technical, development, and program requirements.

Supply Chain Operations

• Lead operational activities including planning, purchasing, materials management, and other supply chain functions supporting commercial and clinical supply.
• Partner with project teams to ensure product availability for development and clinical studies.
• Support commercial launches and ramp-up of INTERCEPT Blood System products.
• Collaborate with Quality, Legal, and Finance to manage the Approved Supplier List and supplier contracts.
• Monitor supplier performance and act as a point of escalation for supplier issues in partnership with the Quality team.

Strategic & Cross-Functional Support

• Support executive leadership in developing and executing strategic initiatives related to supply chain and operations.
• Provide direct input into supply and planning strategies, including supply allocation and supplier development aligned with Cerus’ commercial strategy and portfolio processes.
• Participate in annual planning, budgeting, and forecasting efforts.
• Monitor COGS for specific projects and provide insights to inform project planning, supplier strategies, and financial assessments.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders globally to establish and maintain best practices.

Governance, Metrics & Business Continuity

• Develop and maintain the Cerus Business Continuity Process infrastructure and related documentation.
• Develop and implement KPIs, dashboards, guidelines, and operating principles to improve collaboration across teams and partners.
• Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives and cost-reduction opportunities across supply chain and operations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Participate in departmental human resources activities including staffing, training, performance management, and employee development.
• Ensure issues, concerns, and risks are appropriately communicated to senior management, project teams, and relevant stakeholders.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Qualifications/Requirements/Skills: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or a related field required; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in supply chain, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or medical device industries.
• Proven experience managing teams in a global environment, including the ability to work effectively across multiple time zones.
• Demonstrated experience supporting and accommodating commercial supply chain requirements.
• Strong background in third-party management and global supplier and customer relationship strategies.
• Hands-on experience implementing or working with ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, JD Edwards, NetSuite, or Epicor.
• Experience in project management, cross-functional collaboration, and supplier relationship development.
• Comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing processes related to drug or device development; ISO 13485 and pre-clinical/clinical experience strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in corporate strategic planning and portfolio management is a plus.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate, collaborate, and influence effectively at all organizational levels, including executive leadership.
• Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to drive results and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Advanced analytical skills paired with strong business acumen.
• High level of urgency, strategic agility, and attention to detail with a demonstrated track record of execution excellence.
• Outstanding communication, organizational, and presentation skills, with the ability to represent the company externally.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

We understand that our people are essential to our success.  This philosophy is revealed in our competitive benefits package, designed to improve employees’ lives both on and off the job.

Benefits plans: medical, dental, vision, domestic partner benefits, paid maternity and paternity leaves, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending, life and accidental death insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, matching 401(k), ESPP, RSUs

Work and family: EAP, legal and financial services, health club membership discounts, tuition reimbursement

Compensation: The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $235,000-$280,000 annually.  Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on various factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the total package to compensate and recognize employees for their work.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.