Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager

At Element Biosciences, we are passionate about our mission to empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity. We have built a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment. We are committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

We are seeking a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the development and execution of sourcing strategies for critical materials, components, and services across the product lifecycle—from development through commercialization. This influential role is responsible for shaping supplier ecosystems, driving cross-functional alignment, mitigating risk, and enabling cost, quality, and delivery performance at scale. You will work cross-functionally with R&D, Process Engineering, Quality, and Operations to ensure supplier capabilities align with technical and business requirements. The ideal candidate has strong experience sourcing for innovative products, possesses analytical sourcing skills, and is experienced in regulated industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, or medical devices. Must operate in a fast-paced environment with rapidly shifting priorities over a large diversity of projects. The ability to deliver with focus while maintaining flexibility is key to success. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead sourcing strategy of complex, high-precision components and assemblies, including mechanical, fluidic, and optical systems, supporting next-generation sequencing platforms and commercialization scale-up
• Partner with R&D and Operations to drive supplier selection for direct and indirect materials, contract manufacturing, and services, during both New Production Introduction (NPI) and sustaining phases
• Architect and execute multi-year sourcing strategies aligned with the technology roadmap, focused on cost efficiency, manufacturability, quality, supply assurance, and proactive risk mitigations
• Translate engineering requirements into sourcing criteria
• Lead complex negotiations to secure competitive pricing, long-term agreements, strategic partnerships, and supply continuity for high-value commodities
• Partner with Quality to ensure supplier compliance with relevant standards such as ISO 13485
• Develop and manage supplier performance metrics; manage scorecards and implement corrective actions
• Enhance supply chain resilience through alternate-source development, dual/triple sourcing strategies, and geopolitical/tariff risk evaluations
• Ensure rigorous documentation management, sourcing governance, and alignment between BOMs, supplier data, and ERP systems
• Utilize market intelligence, benchmarking, and cost modeling to manage cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) targets across product lifecycle stages, supply risks, cost drivers, make-vs-buy decisions, and dual sourcing strategies
• Lead semi-annual business reviews with strategic suppliers to evaluate performance and strengthen partnerships
• Deliver clear, data-driven communications to internal stakeholders, highlighting sourcing strategy progress, risk assessments, and financial impact

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• 10-15+ years of experience in life sciences strategic sourcing, procurement engineering, supplier development, or technical supply chain roles
• Strong command of end-to-end supply chain principles and best practices
• Deep knowledge of product development lifecycles, Bill of Materials (BOM) structures, and supplier qualification processes
• Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle
• Proficient in data analysis and reporting tools, including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Highly detail-oriented, well-organized, and analytical with strong problem-solving skills
• Skilled in making data-driven decisions with a strong analytical mindset
• Proven ability to succeed in fast-paced environment with rapidly shifting priorities and ambiguous requirements
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence and collaborate across departments
• Willing and able to challenge assumptions and offer objective, unbiased perspectives

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 15 pounds

Location:

• San Diego, CA (on-site daily)

Travel: 

• Travel required might be up to 10% (supplier visits)

Job Type:

• Full-time

Base Compensation Pay Range:

• $135,000 - $175,000

In addition to base compensation noted above, you will be eligible for stock options, discretionary annual bonus, no cost health insurance plans, 401k with company match, and flexible paid time off. 

Please note: Base compensation will depend on multiple factors, including geographic location, qualifications, and experience. 

We foster an environment such that all people are afforded the freedom to pursue their passions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.