Associate Director, Strategic Procurement

Be a part of a global team that is inspired to make a difference in the lives of people living with rare disease. At Travere Therapeutics, we recognize that our exceptional employees are vital to our success. We are a dedicated team focused on meeting the unique needs of rare patients. Our work is rewarding – both professionally and personally – because we are making a difference. We are passionate about what we do and seek talented individuals who will thrive in our collaborative, diverse, fast-paced environment and share in our mission to identify, develop, and deliver life-changing therapies.

About the role

The Associate Director, Strategic Procurement is responsible for strategic sourcing, outsourcing, procurement, and financial oversight of clinical studies and other Research & Development (R&D) activities. This role serves as a key business partner to Clinical Operations, Development, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, Finance, and other R&D functions, ensuring effective management of external spending, optimization of vendor relationships, and financial stewardship of R&D investments. The position combines deep expertise in strategic procurement and outsourcing with strong financial acumen to support budgeting, forecasting, accrual management, scenario planning, and cost optimization across the R&D portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Develops outsourcing strategies and plans for R&D departments, with focus on Clinical Studies, in alignment with Strategic Procurement policies, corporate objectives, industry best practices, and input from internal SMEs.
• Acts as the lead point of contact for R&D financial needs including procurement.
• Leads competitive sourcing initiatives, RFP development, and bid analysis.
• Evaluates outsourcing models and provides recommendations that balance quality, timelines, operational feasibility, and financial impact.
• Provides input into the negotiation of financial business terms and conditions and management of all R&D contracts in close cooperation with other departments.
• Supports and coordinates discount programs with key vendors.
• Assists in negotiating vendor business terms in contracts such as scope, price, payment terms, and service level agreements.
• Develops and maintains forecasts for clinical programs and other R&D activities, providing visibility into projected spending, risks, and opportunities.
• Monitors actual spending against budget and forecast, identifies variances, and provides actionable recommendations to stakeholders.
• Supports monthly and quarterly financial close activities, including accrual calculations, invoice forecasting, and budget reconciliation.
• Analyzes resource utilization, vendor spend trends, and portfolio investment requirements to support strategic decision-making.
• Collaborates with Finance and R&D leadership to develop long-range planning assumptions and multi-year development cost projections.
• Supports the preparation of executive-level reporting and dashboards on R&D expenditures, study financial performance, vendor spending, and key financial metrics.
• Champions continuous improvement initiatives that optimize procurement, outsourcing, financial governance, and operational effectiveness.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, life science, or related field of study required. Equivalent combination of education and applicable job experience may be considered. MBA preferred.
• 8+ years of relevant work experience in procurement, outsourcing, contracts, vendor management, clinical operations, finance, or related functions.
• 2 years of experience working in a Clinical Research Organization, biotech, or pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing clinical study budgets, forecasting, accruals, and vendor financial performance.
• Experience working with Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) and other clinical service providers required.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial cost drivers, study budgeting methodologies, and R&D financial planning processes preferred.

Skills

• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office Suite, Agiloft, Coupa, and other business-specific software.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze budgets, forecasts, investment scenarios, and cost drivers across clinical development programs.
• Experience with financial modeling, budget management, variance analysis, and executive financial reporting.
• Proven ability to partner and collaborate effectively cross-functionally.
• Strong organizational and facilitation skills to synthesize data from multiple sources.
• Well-organized with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage shifting responsibilities in a dynamic, cross-functional team environment with strong attention to detail.
• Successful record of adhering to complex project plans and timelines.
• Ability to adapt to modifications and changes to project plans, demonstrating flexibility to implement new strategies and tactics.
• Ability to travel up to 10% domestically.
• All positions have an essential job function to be able to perform face-to-face work with colleagues and/or onsite in San Diego. No role is expected to be 100% remote.

Benefits

• Premium health, financial, work-life, and well-being offerings for eligible employees and dependents.
• Wellness and employee support programs.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Retirement plans with employer match.
• Generous paid time off.

Pay

Target Base Pay Range: $150,000.00 - $195,000.00. This information is current as of the date of this posting and may be modified in the future. Actual pay offered to a candidate will depend on a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and location. The compensation package includes a combination of both cash compensation (base pay and short-term incentive) and long-term incentive compensation (company stock), designed to recognize, retain, and reward employees.