Specialist, Logistics

About the role

The Specialist, Logistics plays a crucial role in ensuring the secure and timely transport of donor cells and drug products between Orca Bio’s manufacturing sites and transplant centers. This role involves real-time coordination of active courier runs, disruption response, chain-of-custody documentation, and vein-to-vein KPI tracking.

Responsibilities

• Provide live tracking of courier flights throughout active runs.
• Maintain daily communication with Orca Porters during active runs.
• Actively monitor shipments and resolve delays or issues in real time.
• Participate in on-call coverage during active courier transports to handle non-routine issues.
• Rebook delayed flights and hotels, and re-issue itineraries and TSA letters as travel plans change.
• Assess the impact of flight delays on batch and delivery timelines, including triage with manufacturing and scheduling.
• Manage NMDP delays and issues routed through the courier, and negotiate NMDP itineraries.
• Lead courier incident management (personnel), clean up incident paperwork, and follow up with TSA and couriers on potential and actual changes.
• Communicate changes urgently and professionally to all impacted stakeholders.
• Upload chain-of-custody (CoC) and NMDP records; verify temperature data; and track the return of materials.
• Update delivery times in OrcaLink and capture vein-to-vein (V2V) times for KPI reporting.
• Ensure all documentation and compliance requirements for pickups and deliveries are met.
• Schedule couriers for donor cell pickups and deliveries, and coordinate outbound drug product shipments to recipient sites.
• Manage flight and travel logistics for couriers, liaise with airlines and travel providers.
• Lead third-party courier implementation and troubleshoot transportation issues as they arise.
• Review and approve courier invoices, and track and optimize courier performance.
• Conduct commercial site feasibility assessments for new and existing treatment centers, and support dry-run paperwork.
• Partner with clinical schedulers and commercial case managers to troubleshoot and triage non-routine issues during transports.
• Cross-cover backup for night packaging operations during surge or coverage gaps, covering coordination-adjacent, non-aseptic tasks.
• Contribute to training materials and ensure the courier team remains compliant and current.
• Assist with additional logistics and operations-related projects as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 2–3 years of relevant logistics experience required.
• B.S. in biology, life sciences, or logistics preferred.
• Proven success in logistics coordination, preferably in a regulated environment.
• Familiarity with handling biological materials and associated transportation regulations is a plus.
• Proficiency in logistics tracking systems or software required.
• Preferred experience in logistics or courier coordination in fast-paced, time-sensitive industries (e.g., healthcare, biotech, or medical transport).
• Working with regulated materials, such as biological specimens or pharmaceuticals, with knowledge of chain-of-custody, IATA, or DOT compliance.
• Real-time problem-solving and communication during transport disruptions or delays.
• Managing relationships with vendors, third-party couriers, airlines, and internal stakeholders simultaneously.
• Exposure to continuous improvement efforts, workflow scaling, or SOP development.
• Familiarity with logistics tools and platforms such as shipment tracking systems, Google Workspace, Smartsheet, or equivalent.
• Prior dispatcher experience.

Qualifications

• Highly detail-oriented, with an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and compliance.
• Takes ownership and drives forward without waiting for instruction.
• Naturally curious, eager to learn, and energized by solving problems.
• Brings creative solutions to unexpected challenges.
• Comfortable juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced, startup environment.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Works both independently and collaboratively with a team-first mindset.
• Stays calm under pressure and adapts quickly to change.
• Embraces a positive attitude, a collaborative spirit, and a good sense of humor.

Skills

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of logistics tracking systems and software.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and chain-of-custody documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping.

Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary range of $60,000 - $90,000 per year, along with pre-IPO equity, annual bonus, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401(k) plan, life and accidental death and disability coverage, and parental leave benefits. Additional perks include subsidized daily lunches and snacks at our on-site locations.

Pay

$60,000 - $90,000 a year

Schedule

Night Shift Hours: 6:00pm to 6:30am or 6:30pm to 7:00am
Day Shift Hours: 6:00am to 6:30am or 6:30am to 7:00am
Work Week Schedule: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday + every other Wednesday or Thursday, Friday, Saturday + every other Wednesday