Operations Alliance Director

Cytokinetics is a late-stage, specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class muscle activators and next-in-class muscle inhibitors as potential treatments for debilitating diseases in which cardiac muscle performance is compromised. As a leader in muscle biology and the mechanics of muscle performance, the company is developing small molecule drug candidates specifically engineered to impact myocardial muscle function and contractility.

At Cytokinetics, each team member plays an integral part in advancing our mission to improve the lives of patients. We are seeking tenacious, compassionate, and collaborative individuals who are driven to make a positive impact.

As the Operations Alliance Director, reporting to the VP of External Manufacturing within the Global Supply Chain and Technical Operations organization, you will represent and champion all Product Supply and Technical Programs supporting the objectives agreed to with Alliance Partners in Japan and China.   Collaborating closely with the Corporate Development team, the role works closely with cross-functional partners in Technical Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, and Project Management.  Collectively, they shape the strategy and supply execution for Aficamten supply to alliance partners Bayer in Japan, and Sanofi in China.  This role is the single point of accountability from Global Supply Chain & Technical Operations (GSC&TO) with each Alliance Partner and represents the partners requirements/needs into GSC&TO. This role serves as an escalation point for the external partners and internal stakeholders, assessing and addressing supply risk, and ensuring delivery against commitments to the alliance partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Decision-Making:

• Lead and represent Global Supply Chain & Technical Operations in high-level cross-functional forums, steering committees, and partner decision-making bodies to drive strategic decisions and prioritization across the organization.
• Forge strong, collaborative relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders, ensuring cohesive alignment on strategic objectives and the successful execution of critical initiatives to meet business and patient needs.

Supply Chain Performance Management:

• Take full ownership of the global supply chain performance with alliance partners, including key metrics such as forecast accuracy, inventory management, lead times, and service levels, ensuring these factors meet or exceed supply commitments to strategic partners and patients.
• Proactively monitor, track, and manage key contractual KPIs, driving accountability for results and ensuring all commitments are met in full and on schedule, while implementing corrective actions as needed.

Contract Negotiation & Supply Agreements:

• Lead strategic negotiations and drive the restructuring or amendment of supply agreements and statements of work, working closely with Sourcing to secure optimal terms that maximize value and align with Cytokinetics’ business objectives.
• Ensure that supply agreements are structured to minimize risk while maximizing long-term operational flexibility and value creation for the organization.

Risk Management & Supply Planning:

• Partner with the Strategic Product Lead for Aficamten to evaluate and manage supply chain risks at a global level, implementing proactive risk mitigation strategies and ensuring robust remediation plans are in place.
• Lead efforts to continuously assess supply chain vulnerabilities and drive the development of investment business cases to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity across clinical and commercial stages.
• Ensure all partner demand is captured and fully integrated into Cytokinetics demand plan and subsequently Global Supply Plan.
• Oversee coordination with External Manufacturing Planning to ensure that all clinical and commercial supply plans are aligned with alliance partners’ forecasts, inventory targets, and sanctioned risk management strategies.

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Management:

• Assume full accountability for COGS performance to alliance partners, driving joint initiatives to optimize cost structures and achieve continuous improvements in cost efficiency.
• Ensure strict adherence to contractual price mechanisms, lead negotiations to address cost discrepancies, and identify opportunities for long-term cost optimization.

Alliance Management & Business Process Development:

• Take a lead role in shaping the alliance management framework, in close partnership with Corporate Development, to establish scalable, flexible processes that can accommodate and drive future growth in new and evolving strategic partnerships.
• Ensure that all alliance management processes are aligned with Cytokinetics’ long-term goals, preparing the organization for potential future collaborations and ensuring a seamless integration of new deals into existing operational workflows.

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences. We are looking for the best candidates for our open roles, but do not expect applicants to meet every qualification in order to be considered. If you are excited about what you could accomplish at Cytokinetics and believe you can add value to our team, we would love to hear from you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred, with additional certifications in supply chain.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in supply chain or operations, with at least 3 years in the pharmaceutical or healthcare sector.
• Experience managing complex external relationships, with proven ability to balance customer dynamics as well as ensuring and enforcing partner accountability where appropriate.
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical supply chain regulations and industry best practices.
• Proven leadership abilities, with a demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate teams, foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and drive results in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Our passion is anchored in robust scientific thinking, grounded in integrity and critical thinking. We keep the patient front and center in all we do –all actions and decisions are in service of the patient and their caregivers. We champion integrity, ethics, doing the right thing, and being our best selves.

Please visit our website at: www.cytokinetics.com

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences. We are looking for the best candidates for our open roles, but do not expect applicants to meet every qualification in order to be considered. If you are excited about what you could accomplish at Cytokinetics and believe you can add value to our team, we would love to hear from you.

Please review our General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy PRIOR to applying.  

Our passion is anchored in robust scientific thinking, grounded in integrity and critical thinking. We keep the patient front and center in all we do – all actions and decisions are in service of the patient and their caregivers. We champion integrity, ethics, doing the right thing, and being our best selves.

Fraud Warning: How to Identify Impersonated Cytokinetics Job Postings and Offers

Recently, there have been fraudulent employment offers being sent to candidates on behalf of Cytokinetics. Please be advised that all legitimate offers from Cytokinetics will come directly from our official email domain (Cytokinetics.com) and will only be made after completing a formal interview process.

Here are some ways to check for authenticity:

• We do not conduct job interviews through non-standard text messaging applications
• We will never request personal information such as banking details until after an official offer has been accepted and verified
• We will never request that you purchase equipment or other items when interviewing or hiring
• If you are unsure about the authenticity of an offer, or if you receive any suspicious communication, please contact us directly at talentacquisition@cytokinetics.com

Please visit our website at: www.cytokinetics.com

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer