Vendor Acquisition & Contracting Manager
About Care Access
Care Access is working to make the future of health better for all. With hundreds of research locations, mobile clinics, and clinicians across the globe, we bring world-class research and health services directly to communities that often face barriers to care. We are dedicated to ensuring that every person has the opportunity to understand their health, access the care they need, and contribute to the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow.
With programs like Future of Medicine, which makes advanced health screenings and research opportunities accessible to communities worldwide, and Difference Makers, which supports local leaders to expand their community health and wellbeing efforts, we put people at the heart of medical progress. Through partnerships, technology, and perseverance, we are reimagining how clinical research and health services reach the world. Together, we are building a future of health that is better and more accessible for all.
To learn more about Care Access, visit www.CareAccess.com.
How This Role Makes a Difference
Reporting to the Director of Study Feasibility & Clinical Partnerships, the Vendor Acquisition & Contracting Manager plays a critical role in identification, sourcing, qualification, onboarding, negotiation, and management of vendor relationships to support Care Access objectives. This role, in collaboration with Feasibility, SSU, Finance, and Operations ensures cost-effective procurement, strong contractual protection, compliance, and high-performing clinical vendor partnerships.
How You'll Make An Impact
- Clinical protocol review and vendor requirements identification
- Review clinical protocols and other study documents to determine vendor scope and compatibility; translate protocol elements into vendor qualifications and study requirements
- Clinical vendor acquisition
- Identify potential vendors based on the requirements of the protocol and other sponsor-provided study documents
- Conduct market research to assess vendor capabilities, pricing models, and risk factors
- Develop and maintain a preferred vendor network
- Lead RFPs, RFQs, and vendor selection processes
- Contracting & negotiation
- Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize vendor contracts in collaboration with direct report, legal and finance teams.
- Track contract renewals, expirations, amendments, and compliance requirements.
- Vendor Management
- Identify and troubleshoot vendor-related issues impacting clinical execution or study timelines; act as clinical escalation point for vendor readiness concerns
- Establish performance metrics and monitor vendor performance against SLAs and KPIs.
- Resolve service, performance, and billing issues in a timely manner.
- Drive continuous improvement and cost optimization initiatives
- Maintain vendor documentation and compliance records
- Serve as the clinical point-of-contact for vendors, ensuring timely responses when study manuals are unavailable.
- Standardize and improve communication pathways between vendors, SSU teams, and internal stakeholders.
- Develop and refine vendor management processes to optimize efficiency and quality.
- Guide internal and external stakeholders on vendor requirements, protocol expectations, training, and procedures.
- Participate in governance calls and internal meetings to provide updates on vendor performance and risk status.
- Develop tools, templates, and training materials to strengthen vendor onboarding and oversight processes.
- Maintain internal database in Sharepoint as well as SalesForce
- Review study information and use internal databases, trackers, and dashboards as resources Other duties as assigned
The Expertise Required
- Strong understanding of clinical protocols, trial execution, and start-up workflows.
- Prior vendor experience with the ability to discuss protocol clinical aspects with vendors.
- Skilled at guiding vendor partners and internal teams on protocol expectations, training, and procedures.
- Effective communicator of vendor requirements both internally and externally.
- Experience working with site networks; direct site-based experience strongly valued.
- Ability to negotiate and 'sell' Care Access’s value to vendor partners
- Experience interacting with investigators, clinical staff, and site teams to support operational decision-making.
- Strong cross-functional communication skills in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
- Creative, outside-the-box problem solving with openness to brainstorming solutions.
- Proactive mindset with ownership, accountability, and focus on clinical quality.
- Ability to foresee risks based on historical knowledge, manage escalations efficiently, and follow up across governance structures.
- Data management skills for tracking KPIs, vendor performance, and escalation logs.
- Ability to hold vendors accountable to agreed timelines and deliverables.
- Capacity to effectively document historical vendor performance and leverage it for future pipeline planning.
- Experience creating and implementing new processes based on role and company needs.
- Experience reviewing, interpreting, and providing feedback on vendor contracts, including identifying risks, obligations, and compliance requirements.
- Proven ability to manage the full lifecycle of vendor contracts, from negotiation through execution, renewal, and termination.
Certifications/Licenses, Education, and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, healthcare, nursing, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
- 3–5 years of experience in clinical operations, vendor management, or clinical trial start-up.
- Prior vendor-facing experience within clinical trials required.
- Familiarity with vendor acquisition and management, and contracting workflows.
- Experience in Clinical Project Management is strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with CTMS, clinical portals, and project tracking tools.
How We Work Together
- Travel: This is a remote position with up to 50% travel requirements.
- Physical demands associated with this position Include: The ability to use keyboards and other computer equipment.
The expected salary range for this role is $80,000 - $110,000 USD per year for full time team members.
Benefits & Perks (US Full Time Employees)
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Paid Holidays
- 100% Employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options
- Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Bi-weekly HSA employer contribution
- Company paid Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
- 401(k) Retirement Plan, with Company Match
Diversity & Inclusion
We work with and serve people from diverse cultures and communities around the world. We are stronger and better when we build a team representing the communities we support. We maintain an inclusive culture where people from a broad range of backgrounds feel valued and respected as they contribute to our mission.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Care Access is unable to sponsor work visas at this time.
If you need an accommodation to apply for a role with Care Access, please reach out to: TalentAcquisition@careaccess.com
Mandatory Employer Disclosures:
Notice to Illinois applicants: Applicants are not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records or adjudication, arrest, or conviction.
Notice to Connecticut applicants: Care Access may require applicants to submit to a urinalysis drug test in connection with an application for employment.
Notice to Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, and North Dakota applicants: Care Access complies with applicable laws prohibiting smoking in and around places of employment.
Notice to Massachusetts applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Notice to Rhode Island applicants: Care Access complies with Rhode Island law prohibiting smoking in enclosed areas within places of employment. Care Access is also subject to is subject to Chapters 29–38 of Title 28 of the Rhode Island General Laws.
Notice to Maryland applicants: UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT, OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT AN INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A LIE DETECTOR OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100.
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