Vendor Alliance Lead

Job Description Summary About the Role: Reporting to the Head Vendor Alliances, the VAL Vendor Alliance Lead is responsible for the management of outsourced clinical activities and deliverables of one or more supported External Relationship Management Teams (ERMT). • Working within a matrix environment, the VAL Vendor Alliance Lead is accountable for all operational aspects of 1 or more ERMTs • May manage a team of Vendor Startup Managers (VSM) or Imaging Operation Managers (IOM) including assignment of trial level support, and as a point of escalation in addition to people management responsibilities. • Supplier Service or Equipment expert for the assigned services within the ERMTs to drive value beyond cost from Novartis’ external supplier base • Supporting the implementation of the agreed outsourcing program strategies • Responsible for supplier governance, management and issue management/escalation across global GCO and locally and cross-divisionally as required (e.g. Country, NIBR, etc.). • Function as a point of escalation for supplier issues which cannot be resolved at the individual Clinical Trial Teams level • Leverage knowledge, experience and understanding of service category(s) and suppliers to provide support to the operational management within the ERMT(s) • Lead supplier due diligence activities with ERMT   Job Description Title: Vendor Alliance Lead Location: Dublin, Ireland; Hybrid / London, UK; Homeworker, UK Key Responsibilities: Lead business review meetings with vendors based on KPI, KQI and UVP dashboards Lead and/or support internal cross-functional ERMT meetings May lead team of Vendor Startup Managers (VSM) or Imaging Operations Managers (IOM) to support supplier startup activities Manages escalated global vendor issues, or selected country vendor issues Identifies systemic patterns, driving root cause analysis and sustainably and effectively addresses pain points Using technological enablers to drive automated and systematic near-time issue resolution Function as category expert providing expertise and training to stakeholders Ensures compliance with all required SOPs and business guidance documents Provides Health Authority inspection support CAPA management from audit & inspections Drives value through process improvement and innovation within category Proactive risk management within category Supporting global and local vendor qualification if required Supports Vendor Start-up Managers (VSM) or Imaging Operations Managers (IOM) in its collaboration with the SSU-teams Essential Requirements: Advanced degree in science or business with equivalent experience 5+ years working experience and excellent knowledge of the clinical operation processes and vendor management Excellent knowledge of GxP and ICH regulations Expert knowledge of clinical trial design and mapping to supplier requirements Thorough and technical understanding of Novartis specifications for supplier provided services Demonstrated leadership with supplier relationship management and/or expert knowledge of specific service areas Demonstrated partnering across divisions with internal and external stakeholders Demonstrated root cause analysis, problem solving, and solution generation skills History of successfully working in a cross-functional global team and proven ability to function in matrix structure organization Leadership to deliver projects according to required and deliverables Excellent influencing and communication skills Experience or expertise in one or more of Vendor Management Role accountabilities (e.g. global process ownership, business system owner, SOP & FMR management, global training on supplier related SOPs and processes) Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve. Benefits and rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards   Skills Desired Drug Development, Global Project Management, Program Development, Program Management, R&D, Team Management