Vendor Start-up Manager

Key responsibilities:

• Reviewing of the vendor and category related specific sections of the protocol, ensure vendor expertise is leveraged when refining specifications towards Final Protocol 
• Contributing to development of Study Specification Worksheet (SSW) to facilitate bid process and selection of Vendors. 
• Quote/Proposal review in collaboration with procurement (and vendor). If required, support contract negotiations. 
• Vendor budget review of final quotes
• Co-ordinates vendor kick-off meeting and other vendor specific meetings 
• Collects HA submission documents from vendor, as requested by countries participating in a study
• Performs robust User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for eCOA and IRT 
• Ensures changes to protocol or study designs are consistently shared with vendors and incorporated into supplier budgets, timelines, and specifications. Supports amendment of vendor contracts with Procurement team
• Optimizing a frontloaded and timely study start-up process in support of a timely vendor DB-go-live 
• Vendor service excellence at study level, ensures vendors meet quality and service level standards in their service delivery for the trial
• Pro-actively creates and maintains vendor related risk maps with contingency plan for documentation in FIRST
• Document issues identified with vendor oversight / performance in FIRST tool and implements and monitors corrective actions. Escalates issue if required to the Vendor Category Expert VCE
• Drive root cause analysis of supplier performance issues and look for trending 
• Supports the implementation of standards, templates, tools, and processes for vendors at SSU for defined categories in collaboration with the VCE
• Using Unified Vendor Portal (UVP) to manage vendor service delivery 
• Supports practice leaders in improvement projects and learning loops
• Collaborate with VP&G to provide data for vendor qualification efforts

Essential Requirements:

• 5+ years working experience and excellent knowledge of the clinical operation processes and vendor management 
• Excellent knowledge of GxP and ICH regulations 
• Very good knowledge of clinical trial design and mapping to supplier requirements 
• Thorough and technical understanding of Novartis specifications for supplier provided services 
• User Acceptance testing for eCOA and IRT
• Site collaboration and site activation
• Vendor management; outsourcing, contracting, sourcing, of clinical services 
• Results-driven: demonstrated ability of completing projects on time
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams and a matrixed environment
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills 
• Good written and oral communications skills
• Very good problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated willingness to make decisions and to take responsibility for such
• Excellent interpersonal skills (team player) 
• Proven networking skills and ability to share knowledge and experience amongst colleagues

Why Novartis? Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture 

You’ll receive: You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook. https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards 

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and accommodation: Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network