Manager, Strategic Sourcing

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.

Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.

Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI.  Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need. 

The Position

The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing category and supplier strategies across assigned direct spend categories and strategic suppliers. This role leads end-to-end sourcing activities, including market analysis, supplier identification, competitive bidding (RFI, RFQ, RFP), supplier selection, negotiations, and contract execution. The position works cross-functionally with Technical Operations, Development Chemistry, Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Legal, and Finance to secure supply continuity, optimize total cost of ownership, and mitigate supply risk.

In addition, the Strategic Sourcing Manager serves as a key business partner in supplier relationship management, performance governance, and long-term sourcing strategy to support clinical and commercial product objectives. The role is accountable for driving value creation, strengthening supplier partnerships, and ensuring a reliable, scalable, and compliant external supply network.

This role is full-time onsite, 5 days a week in Verona, WI. 

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category, supplier, and sourcing strategies for assigned direct spend categories, including external manufacturing, raw materials, components, devices, logistics, and related services supporting Development Chemistry (CMC) and Supply Chain operations.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing initiatives in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders to identify, evaluate, select, and onboard suppliers that align with business, technical, quality, and supply chain requirements.
• Develop data-driven sourcing strategies through market intelligence, benchmarking, supplier landscape assessments, and industry trend analysis to optimize cost, quality, capacity, innovation, and supply continuity.
• Partner with Technical Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Finance, and Legal to assess supplier capabilities, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies that support business objectives.
• Prepare and present business cases, sourcing recommendations, supplier strategies, and risk assessments to senior leadership and governance committees.
• Direct competitive sourcing events (RFI, RFQ, RFP) and sourcing initiatives.
• Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships, including:

• Supplier performance management and scorecard development.
• Business Reviews and governance meetings.
• Capacity planning and demand alignment.
• Continuous improvement and value creation initiatives.
• Supplier development and innovation programs.
• Drive supplier risk management and business continuity planning by proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational, quality, financial, geopolitical, capacity, and supply chain risks.
• Serve as the primary commercial interface between suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment of supplier performance, contractual obligations, and business expectations.
• Support supplier onboarding, qualification, and lifecycle management activities in collaboration with Quality and business stakeholders, ensuring alignment with applicable quality and compliance requirements.
• Partner with Quality and operational stakeholders to support effective management of supplier quality events, including CAPAs, SCARs, change notifications, and Approved Supplier List (ASL) governance.
• Maintain expertise on relevant supply markets, emerging technologies, industry trends, and supplier capabilities to inform sourcing strategies and support long-term organizational objectives.
• Support the development and implementation of sourcing, supplier management, governance, and risk management processes that strengthen supply assurance and operational excellence across the external supply network.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Life Sciences, Operations, or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, supplier management, supply chain, or related business functions.
• Experience leading sourcing initiatives, supplier selection activities, RFx processes (RFI, RFQ, RFP), contract negotiations, and supplier onboarding.
• Demonstrated ability to manage supplier relationships and collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience analyzing supplier capabilities, commercial proposals, total cost of ownership, and business risks to support sourcing decisions.
• Strong project management, negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and enterprise procurement, ERP, or supplier management systems.

Preferred

• Experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or other regulated manufacturing industries.
• Experience sourcing and managing external manufacturing organizations, CDMOs, CROs, raw material suppliers, packaging suppliers, device manufacturers, logistics providers, or other strategic direct-spend suppliers.
• Knowledge of GMP-regulated environments, supplier qualification processes, quality systems, and supplier change management practices.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, PMP, or equivalent.
• MBA, Master's degree, or other advanced degree

Wisconsin pay range

$105,000—$125,000 USD

Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.   

Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located.

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