Vendor Qualification Associate I

Job Title: Vendor Qualification Associate I

Location: Foster City, CA Hybrid (3 days onsite/week)
Contract: 1 Year Contract
Schedule: Monday Friday, 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Possibility: Contract extension possible

Job Summary

Our client, a leading biopharmaceutical company, is seeking a Vendor Qualification Associate I to support vendor qualification and oversight activities across the global R&D portfolio, including Phase I IV clinical trials.

This role will support and lead cross-functional activities related to vendor capability assessments, sourcing, contracting, procurement, category management, compliance, and inspection readiness. The ideal candidate will have strong pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industry experience, project management skills, and the ability to effectively collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct and support Request for Information (RFI) and vendor qualification activities.
• Perform vendor capability assessments and due diligence.
• Support Data Privacy & Security IT Assessments.
• Conduct Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption (ABAC) due diligence.
• Support vendor financial health assessments.
• Assist with sourcing, contracting, procurement, and category management activities.
• Support inspection readiness and compliance preparation activities.
• Analyze vendor data and perform benchmarking to identify trends, insights, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Prepare presentations, reports, and training materials for internal stakeholders.
• Partner with Clinical Operations, R&D Quality & Compliance, Finance, Legal, Business Conduct, Vendor Relationship Management, and other cross-functional teams.
• Manage multiple projects and competing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Maintain strong relationships with external vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Support vendors involved in clinical trial activities such as clinical monitoring, data management, RWD/RWE, biostatistics, medical writing, central labs, biomarker labs, bioanalytical labs, RTSM, eCOA, medical imaging, safety, e-consent, telemedicine, and wearable technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) in a relevant field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare industry.
• Strong project management experience; candidates with current or previous Project Manager experience are highly preferred.
• PMP certification or equivalent certification preferred.
• Experience with vendor qualification, vendor management, outsourcing, sourcing, procurement, or category management.
• Experience supporting clinical trials / clinical development, preferably across Phase I IV.
• Strong understanding of Google Cloud Platform, GVP, GLP, GDP, and ICH E6 R2 requirements.
• Experience with vendor due diligence, compliance assessments, and inspection readiness.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and presentation skills.
• Ability to interact confidently with internal executives and external vendors.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage competing priorities.

Preferred Background

Ideal candidates may come from backgrounds such as:

• Clinical Project Management
• Clinical Outsourcing
• Vendor Management
• Vendor Qualification
• Pharmaceutical Procurement
• Strategic Sourcing
• R&D Project Management
• Healthcare Project Management

Work Arrangement

Hybrid Foster City, CA
Candidate must be able to work onsite 3 days per week.

Contract Duration: 1 year, with possibility of extension.