Director, Strategic Sourcing (Finance/Procurement)

At Kailera, we are bold, authentic and committed to our mission of developing therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. Rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit and a team-oriented culture, we are working together to advance Kailera’s mission to advance novel therapies for obesity and related conditions.
 
We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes collaboration, integrity, and excellence. As we expand, we seek the most talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to join our team.

What You’ll Do:

We are seeking a Director of Strategic Sourcing to lead strategic sourcing efforts to support our late stage clinical portfolio and rapid company growth. This role will serve as a high impact and critical partner to cross-functional teams and the overall finance organization, helping to optimize vendor selection & contract negotiations, manage spend, and align sourcing decisions with Kailera’s financial goals. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in biotech/pharma sourcing, financial acumen, and a collaborative mindset. This individual will also have an opportunity to provide forecasting & planning inputs to key workstreams across our R&D and Technical Operations functions. We are seeking an individual who is able to both provide a strategic framework for the growth of the strategic sourcing function, while also able to take an immediate hands on approach in vendor selection and contractor negotiations.

Preferred location: Waltham, MA (onsite or hybrid 2-3 days per week).

Responsibilities:

• Lead sourcing strategy, negotiations vendor selection for R&D and Tech Ops categories, including CROs, CDMOs, lab services, and clinical trial vendors
• Partner with functional leaders to understand program needs and identify sourcing opportunities that drive value and mitigate risk
• Negotiate contracts and pricing with key suppliers, ensuring alignment with budget and compliance standards
• Develop and maintain a preferred vendor list and sourcing playbooks for high-impact categories
• Monitor supplier performance and support vendor governance processes
• Collaborate with FP&A and functional teams to develop and manage budgets and forecasts for R&D and Tech Ops programs
• Support long-range planning and program-level cost projections for high impact workstreams
• Assist in preparing financial materials for leadership and board-level discussions

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or FP&A within the biotech, pharmaceutical, or healthcare industry
• Deep understanding of R&D and Tech Ops vendor landscape and cost structures
• Strong negotiation, contract management, and vendor relationship skills
• Proven ability to partner cross-functionally and influence without authority
• Excellent analytical, financial modeling, and Excel skills
• Experience with financial systems (e.g., Oracle PBCS, NetSuite) and sourcing tools
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment with a hands-on approach

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in biotech industry preferred

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION: 

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age (40 and over), sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, reproductive health decisions, domestic victim status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

E-Verify:

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

 #LI-Hybrid