Director, Distribution & Trade

About the role

The Director of Distribution & Trade is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the company’s distribution network, including third-party logistics (3PL) providers, specialty distributors, and specialty pharmacies. This role also oversees inventory planning to ensure commercial demand is supported through timely product replenishment. Success in this position requires excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, along with exceptional attention to detail. This position reports directly to the Executive Director, Patient Services & Distribution. This position is structured as a hybrid role with on-site collaboration at our headquarters. However, we recognize that exceptional talent can be found anywhere and are open to remote candidates whose experience and skills align with the needs of the role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company’s trade and distribution strategy across commercial and pipeline products.
• Create scalable distribution models that support product launches and long-term business growth.
• Partner with Commercial, Market Access, Patient Services, and other cross-functional teams to align distribution initiatives with organizational objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with specialty pharmacies, specialty distributors, and 3PL partners.
• Lead contract negotiations and oversee ongoing agreements with external trading partners.
• Monitor partner performance to ensure compliance with service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Collaborate closely with Patient Services, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Commercial Operations to ensure efficient distribution processes.
• Oversee daily operational performance of external vendors and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Facilitate quarterly business reviews with internal leadership and external distribution partners to evaluate performance and drive strategic improvements.
• Establish reporting requirements and develop dashboards to monitor trade and distribution performance.
• Evaluate channel data to identify trends, improve inventory management, and support business decision-making.
• Ensure accurate and timely receipt and reporting of transactional data, including EDI 852 and 867 files, and specialty pharmacy dispensing reports.
• Ensure distribution operations comply with all applicable regulatory requirements, including DSCSA, 340B, GPO, and related industry standards.
• Develop, maintain, and oversee standard operating procedures (SOPs) and governance processes, including returns, chargebacks, and other trade-related policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree in business, health sciences, or related field preferred
• 10+ years of pharmaceutical/biotech experience, with at least 5 years in trade, distribution, or channel strategy
• Successful experience managing high performance of specialty pharmacies and distributors, 3PL, and rare/orphan oncology diseases
• Strong background in contract negotiation, vendor management, and cross-functional leadership
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills to achieve objectives
• Strong analytical and project management capabilities
• Proficiency in interpreting and leveraging trade data and performance metrics
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.)
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this position is National: $195,000 to $235,000; Premium (SFBA/NYC/Boston Area): $215,000 to $260,000. The actual salary offered will depend on several factors, including experience, qualifications, geographic location, internal equity, and business needs. This position is eligible to participate in Rigel’s annual bonus program and is eligible for equity incentive awards, subject to the terms of the applicable plans. This position is not commission-based.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off
• Paid company holidays