Vice President, Trade Relations & Manufacturer Strategy

At Birdi, we're redefining the pharmacy experience through innovation, clinical excellence, and patient-centered care. As we continue to expand our specialty pharmacy capabilities, we're building strategic relationships that create access to life-changing therapies and improve outcomes for the patients we serve. This is an opportunity to join a growing organization and shape the future of Birdi's specialty pharmacy strategy. You'll work directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers, executive leadership, and cross-functional teams to secure network access, develop innovative partnerships, and drive meaningful revenue growth.

About The Role

The Vice President, Trade Relations & Manufacturer Strategy owns Birdi's enterprise-wide manufacturer strategy and serves as the organization's primary executive relationship owner for pharmaceutical manufacturers. This is a highly visible, revenue-generating leadership position responsible for securing Limited Distribution Drug (LDD) access, negotiating manufacturer agreements, commercializing pharmacy data assets, and developing value-added service offerings that strengthen Birdi's position within the specialty pharmacy ecosystem. Success in this role requires a unique combination of clinical expertise, commercial acumen, specialty pharmacy knowledge, and executive-level relationship management. You will serve as Birdi's voice to manufacturer trade, market access, brand, and patient services teams while helping position the organization for future specialty growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead Manufacturer Relations Strategy
  • Serve as the executive owner of Birdi's relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers.
  • Build and maintain executive-level relationships across manufacturer trade, market access, brand, medical affairs, and patient services teams.
  • Lead quarterly and annual business reviews with manufacturers focused on performance, growth opportunities, and strategic alignment.
  • Represent Birdi in enterprise-wide discussions with manufacturers, distributors, and industry partners.
• Drive Limited Distribution Drug (LDD) Access & Network Placement
  • Own Birdi's LDD growth strategy across specialty, rare disease, oncology, orphan, and other high-cost therapies.
  • Lead manufacturer RFIs, RFPs, audits, site visits, presentations, and capability reviews.
  • Negotiate network participation and distribution agreements.
  • Develop and maintain a prioritized specialty pipeline with projected revenue and margin opportunities.
  • Protect existing network access and manage re-credentialing activities related to licensure, accreditation, or organizational changes.
• Expand Data & Commercial Service Revenue
  • Lead the development, negotiation, and execution of manufacturer data agreements.
  • Define and commercialize Birdi's specialty pharmacy data offerings.
  • Partner with IT, Analytics, Compliance, and Operations teams to ensure data quality and reporting excellence.
  • Build and manage data revenue as a measurable business line.
  • Establish scalable reporting programs that support manufacturer requirements and network retention.
• Create & Grow Enhanced Service Offerings
  • Design and negotiate enhanced manufacturer service agreements beyond traditional dispensing services.
  • Develop service offerings related to:
    • Medication adherence and persistence
    • Patient onboarding
    • REMS support
    • Benefits investigation and prior authorization
    • Cold chain management
    • Nursing and injection training
    • Market research and patient support programs
  • Ensure all contracted services are operationally feasible, financially sound, and measurable.
• Lead Pipeline Strategy & Launch Readiness
  • Monitor emerging therapies, pipeline products, PDUFA dates, biosimilars, and specialty market trends.
  • Identify future access opportunities 12 to 24 months before commercial launch.
  • Develop readiness plans around staffing, technology, accreditation, clinical programs, and operational capabilities.
  • Present pipeline opportunities and risks to executive leadership and the Board.
• Industry Leadership & Market Presence
  • Own Birdi's conference and manufacturer engagement strategy for:
    • Asembia
    • NASP
    • AMCP
    • PCMA
    • Industry distributor and payer forums
  • Build Birdi's reputation through speaking engagements, panels, publications, and industry participation.
  • Develop a measurable manufacturer opportunity pipeline from conference activity and industry networking.
• Build & Lead the Function
  • Recruit, develop, and mentor the Trade Relations team.
  • Establish performance goals and long-term team strategy.
  • Partner with Operations, Finance, Clinical Services, Compliance, and IT to ensure contractual commitments are operationally achievable.
  • Contribute to enterprise planning, budgeting, and specialty growth initiatives.
• Ensure Compliance & Contract Integrity
  • Partner with Legal and Compliance teams to structure manufacturer relationships appropriately.
  • Maintain compliance with applicable regulations, including:
    • Anti-Kickback Statute
    • HIPAA
    • DSCSA
    • Medicare Part D
    • Sunshine Act/Open Payments requirements
  • Manage agreement renewals, contract obligations, and audit readiness activities.
  • Support manufacturer-related accreditation and quality initiatives.

Requirements

• Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Health Administration, Business, Life Sciences, or a related field.
  • PharmD strongly preferred.
  • Advanced degree (MBA, MHA, MS) preferred.
  • Active pharmacist license is highly desirable.
• Experience
  • 10+ years of progressive experience in specialty pharmacy, pharmaceutical trade relations, specialty distribution, or manufacturer contracting.
  • 5+ years of leadership experience.
  • Demonstrated success securing Limited Distribution Drug (LDD) and exclusive network access opportunities.
  • Experience negotiating manufacturer data agreements and enhanced service contracts.
  • Established relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturer trade and market access leaders.
  • Track record of leading successful manufacturer presentations, competitive evaluations, and network selection processes.
  • Experience presenting to executive leadership and Boards of Directors.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Deep clinical knowledge across specialty disease states.
  • Strong understanding of specialty pharmacy operations and patient support models.
  • Exceptional negotiation and relationship management skills.
  • Demonstrated commercial and financial acumen.
  • Ability to develop and defend revenue, margin, and service fee models.
  • Strong analytical and presentation skills.
  • Understanding of manufacturer-pharmacy regulatory requirements and fair market value principles.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple complex negotiations simultaneously.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and contract management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in both specialty pharmacy and mail-order pharmacy environments.
• Understanding of PBM economics and payer network strategy.
• Familiarity with URAC, ACHC, and NABP accreditation standards.
• Experience supporting rare disease, cell and gene therapy, oncology, or biosimilar distribution strategies.
• Knowledge of 340B programs, hub services, patient assistance programs, and copay support models.

Work Environment

• Remote/home-office based position.
• Up to 40% travel, including overnight travel.
• Frequent attendance at industry conferences, manufacturer meetings, and partner events.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
• Travel may include both automobile and air transportation.

Why This Role Matters

This role is central to Birdi's specialty pharmacy growth strategy. As Vice President, Trade Relations & Manufacturer Strategy, you will help determine which therapies Birdi can access, which manufacturers choose Birdi as a strategic partner, and how the organization expands its specialty footprint. Your work will directly influence revenue growth, patient access, manufacturer partnerships, and Birdi's long-term competitive position within the specialty pharmacy market.