Senior Director, Trade and Distribution

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to build and operationalize a U.S. trade and distribution strategy ahead of an anticipated first commercial launch. The role will establish scalable channel infrastructure across specialty pharmacy, specialty distribution, wholesaler, retail, mail-order, and 3PL models.

About the role

As the internal subject matter expert, you will shape channel strategy, partner selection, launch readiness, and ongoing distribution performance. You will work closely with Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Compliance, Commercial, Market Access, and other cross-functional teams. The position combines strategic design with hands-on execution in a fast-moving, emerging commercial environment. You will also establish governance, KPIs, operating processes, and external partnerships that support product availability and patient access. This is an opportunity to play a foundational role in creating a reliable, compliant, and scalable commercialization infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operationalize the U.S. trade and distribution model across specialty pharmacy, specialty distributors, wholesalers, retail, mail-order, and 3PL channels.
• Lead distribution planning and execution activities to ensure product availability, compliant order-to-cash processes, effective partner performance, and scalable post-launch operations.
• Evaluate pharmacy and medical benefit pathways, site-of-care dynamics, and emerging models such as digital, direct-to-patient, and alternate-site care.
• Identify, evaluate, select, and manage wholesalers, specialty distributors, specialty pharmacies, retail and mail-order partners, 3PL providers, and other strategic service partners.
• Lead RFPs, partner evaluations, business cases, distribution agreement negotiations, fee-for-service arrangements, service-level expectations, and related governance.
• Partner with Supply Chain to support product flow, inventory visibility, demand forecasting, data integrity, and compliance reporting.
• Establish operating models, SOPs, governance routines, escalation pathways, partner expectations, and performance-management processes.
• Define KPIs and use trade and distribution data to monitor product availability, inventory, order fulfillment, demand trends, partner performance, and launch execution.
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, Compliance, Regulatory, Commercial, Market Access, and Supply Chain teams to align distribution strategy with launch and access objectives.
• Serve as the internal trade and distribution expert, translating market, policy, channel, and partner insights into practical recommendations for senior leadership.
• Develop foundational trade and distribution capabilities and scalable processes within an emerging commercial organization while maintaining a hands-on approach to execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced education is advantageous.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology trade, distribution, channel strategy, market access, commercial operations, supply chain, or related functions.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. specialty pharmacy, specialty distributor, wholesaler, retail, mail-order, and 3PL channel dynamics, including buy-side economics, pharmacy operations, compliance, and product flow.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or managing U.S. pharmaceutical distribution strategies and associated operating models.
• Proven track record supporting pharmaceutical or biotech product launch readiness and cross-functional commercialization activities.
• Experience managing external distribution partners, negotiating agreements, overseeing fee-for-service arrangements, and establishing service-level expectations and governance.
• Ability to translate strategy into practical operating models while remaining highly organized, proactive, detail-oriented, and accountable for execution.
• Demonstrated ability to establish structure, processes, partnerships, and scalable capabilities within an emerging or evolving commercial organization.
• Strong ability to influence and collaborate across Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Compliance, Commercial, Market Access, and other stakeholder groups.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, analytical, and executive communication skills, with the ability to turn complex channel considerations into clear recommendations.

Work Environment

The position is predominantly remote, with in-person attendance in the Philadelphia area based on business needs and organizational priorities. Onsite participation is expected to increase around commercial launch planning and launch-related activities; candidates within commuting distance of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, are strongly preferred.

Willingness to travel as needed for internal meetings, company activities, and industry events.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary, with compensation aligned to experience and qualifications.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• Long-term incentive compensation.
• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Term life and disability insurance.
• Retirement plan benefits.
• Predominantly remote work environment with an on-demand approach to office attendance.
• Opportunities to participate in high-impact commercial launch initiatives and build foundational capabilities within an emerging organization.