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Vice President, US Trade & Distribution

US - Remote

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance. 
 
WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:
 
*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.
 
*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.
 
*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.
 
*MODEL EXCELLENCE:  The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Summary:

The VP, US Trade & Distribution will lead the channel, trade, and distribution strategy for Vaxcyte’s portfolio, initially focused on the commercial launch of Vaxcyte’s adult pneumococcal vaccine VAX-31. The emphasis will be on maximizing access and performance in retail pharmacy and Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) channels.  The role will be instrumental in establishing Vaxcyte as a trusted supplier and oversee the creation of the U.S. distribution network optimizing for both the initial adult product launch and the subsequent pediatric product launch.  This executive will set the vision, strategy, and drive operational execution to ensure day one launch readiness, channel partner management, regulatory compliance, and post-launch optimization.

This is a U.S.-based remote role. Occasional travel required.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Leadership

  • Develop and own the enterprise-wide channel, trade, and distribution strategy for the initial adult vaccine launch, ensuring alignment with brand, market access, and supply chain priorities.
  • Design integrated models that balance clinical needs, commercial access, supply chain efficiency, and gross-to-net cost considerations.
  • Anticipate and respond to U.S. market and regulatory trends that impact retail and IDN distribution, preparing for future pediatric launches.

Launch Planning & Execution

  • Oversee end-to-end planning and execution for the forward supply chain, including model selection, proposal development, negotiations, and partner review, selection and contracting.
  • Lead all logistical operations to ensure readiness, including EDI, cold chain management, inventory placement, and order-to-cash systems, ensuring they are fully developed and functional.
  • Ensure Day One launch readiness by meeting all regulatory requirements, securing product availability at targeted retail and IDN accounts, and implementing robust safety stock and contingency plans.

Network and Account Management

  • Establish and manage the pharmacy and distribution networks for Vaxcyte.
  • Build, negotiate and manage the contractual agreements and strong working relationships with channel, trade, and distribution and pharmacy partners.
  • Select, onboard, and oversee strategic partners, including RFP requirements and process management.
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with distributors, retail chains and large IDNs to optimize distribution performance and patient access.
  • Design, build negotiate and manage Trade Policies, Authorized Distribution Agreements (ADA), and Distribution Service Agreements (DSA).
  • Manage all aspects of ongoing distribution account operations, including performance reviews, launch of new programs or service offerings, and comprehensive customer relationship oversight.

Operational & Regulatory Oversight

  • Build the Trade Operations Team who will manage DSA performance, inventory levels, and Service Level fill rates, distribution data, and the underlying technology infrastructure.
  • Establish systems and SOPs to ensure compliance with all relevant federal and state regulations (e.g., FDA, DSCSA, Anti-Kickback Statute), focusing on operational integrity and legal adherence.
  • Implement data-driven processes to enhance supply chain transparency and enable informed operational decisions by leveraging both internal and external data sets (e.g., 852, 867, DDD).
  • Monitor and manage launch operational KPIs such as inventory levels, fulfillment rates, customer experience, and distribution costs, with a focus on process optimization.
  • Develop and oversee risk mitigation and inventory management strategies to maintain continuous product distribution regardless of disruptions.
  • Drive ongoing process improvement by utilizing analytics and gathering feedback, with targeted attention on retail and IDN (Integrated Delivery Network) segments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Serve as the primary Trade representative on commercial and launch excellence teams, ensuring alignment and integration across functions.
  • Support gross-to-net planning through deep channel economics expertise.

Requirements: 

BA/BS degree in a scientific discipline, business, or marketing required.  MBA or other advanced degree highly desired. Minimum of 15 years of industry related experience preferred with 7+ years of progressive experience in U.S. pharmaceutical or biotech trade, commercial operations, distribution, contracting, or market access, including leadership roles in product launches. Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.

  • Demonstrated experience launching U.S. vaccines and/or specialty biologics (highly preferred).
  • In-depth knowledge of the U.S. commercial and government healthcare and reimbursement environment, including:
    • Distribution channels,
    • Retail pharmacy channels,
    • Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs),
    • Contract negotiation,
    • Gross-to-net planning.
  • Extensive regulatory expertise and experience with major commercial and government payer programs (State Medicaid, Medicare, VFC, Section 317).
  • Experience and understanding of point-of-sale programs for retail pharmacy or equivalent environments.
  • Ability to travel 20-40% of the time for various individual & national customer meetings.

Core Competencies

  • Ability to create and execute strategic vision.
  • Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Excellence in project management and driving operational rigor.
  • Leadership of cross-functional teams with strong collaborative skills.
  • Data-driven analytical decision-making.
  • Thorough regulatory and compliance acumen.
  • Skilled in contracting and negotiation with retail and IDN customers.
  • Innovative approach to implementing digital and logistics solutions for retail/IDN account management.
  • Capacity to rapidly assimilate information and prioritize/manage multiple initiatives.
  • Proven ability to influence at executive level and work effectively across organizational boundaries.
Reports to: Chief Commercial Officer
 
Location: San Carlos, CA/ US - Remote
 
Compensation:
The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.
 
Salary Range: $315,000 - $367,500 
 
 

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

 

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