Manager/Director, Procurement and Materials (Contract Role) in Menlo Park, California at Orca Bio

Position Summary

Orca Bio is seeking an experienced Procurement & Inventory Management Consultant to support sourcing, procurement, materials management, inventory planning, and forecasting activities for research, development, manufacturing, and business operations. This contract role will be responsible for managing and optimizing procurement strategies, developing and improving forecast inventory and purchasing tools, ensuring the timely acquisition and availability of goods and services while balancing quality, cost, and delivery.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can partner cross-functionally to optimize purchasing and inventory processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities for direct and indirect materials, laboratory supplies, equipment, and services.

• Manage and optimize sourcing strategies that align with business objectives for quality, cost, supply continuity, and operational efficiency.

• Manage inventory levels and partner with internal stakeholders to develop forecasts that ensure material availability while minimizing excess inventory.

• Monitor inventory trends, usage patterns, supplier lead times, and demand forecasts to proactively mitigate supply risks.

• Support material sourcing and new material introductions including Identify, qualify, and manage supplier.

• Trouble shoot supplier events and issues, including supplier performance, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Partner with Manufacturing, Technical Operations, Quality, Finance, Facilities, and Research teams to understand business needs and drive procurement and inventory needs.

• Manage purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and vendor onboarding while ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.

• Resolve supplier and inventory issues while implementing corrective actions to maintain continuity of supply.

• Analyze procurement and inventory data to identify cost savings, process improvements, supplier consolidation opportunities, and inventory optimization strategies.

• Develop and report procurement and inventory metrics, including supplier performance, inventory health, forecasting accuracy, and cost savings.

Deliverables

• Optimize inventory forecasting based on inventory consumption data, supplier lead times, internal test and release times and demand forecast needs and project needs.

• Develop a process for purchase order review prior to submission for approval process.

• Support material sourcing initiated to deliver required materials and inventories.

Duration

4 monthswithoptionto extend based on need.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 5+ years of procurement, strategic sourcing, inventory management, or supply chain experience.

• Experience with inventory planning and procurement strategies.

• Proven experience managing supplier relationships.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple functions.

• Experience using ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar) and Microsoft Excel.

• Ability to work onsite in Sacramento, California.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, cell therapy, gene therapy, or medical device industry is preferred but not required.

• Knowledge of GMP/GxP environments and regulated procurement practices.

• Experience sourcing laboratory equipment, raw materials, single-use manufacturing components, or contract laboratory/manufacturing services.

• Familiarity with supplier quality management, vendor qualification, and risk assessment processes.

• Experience with MRP systems, procurement analytics, and inventory optimization.

• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, APICS, or CPIM are a plus.