Executive Director, Head of Strategic Sourcing

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs. With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees.

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive.

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HEAD OF STRATEGIC SOURCING

SUMMARY :

Ionis is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and visionary leader to establish and lead our Strategic Sourcing function. This individual will be responsible for executing a strategic sourcing roadmap and operating model that aligns with Ionis’ values, culture and strategic objectives. The ideal candidate will bring deep procurement expertise, demonstrated change leadership, and a passion for developing high-performing teams.

The core opportunity for this role lies in transformational change : evolving from decentralized, department-driven procurement to a unified, enterprise-wide strategic sourcing approach. This is a highly visible role that requires exceptional stakeholder management, influencing skills, and a strong grasp of procurement best practices in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. This position reports to the Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and ideally be located at our corporate headquarters in Carlsbad, California.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

Strategic Leadership Execute a comprehensive sourcing strategy aligned with company goals.

Drive the transformation of the procurement operating model to support scalable, efficient operations.

Organizational Design & Team Development Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing Strategic Sourcing team in line with the Strategic Sourcing roadmap.

Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management Partner with leaders across departments to understand business needs and gain sponsorship.

Guide the organization through procurement transformation—moving the organization from decentralized processes to a hybrid model between Strategic Sourcing and the business owners and then ultimately aligning stakeholders around a center-led sourcing model.

Category & Supplier Management Lead the development and establishment of category strategies and support supplier selection processes, contracting to ensuring value creation and risk mitigation.

Manage supplier relationships and performance in partnership with business owners, enabling innovation and continuous improvement.

Technology Enablement & Optimization Lead the evaluation, implementation, and optimization of sourcing / procurement technologies (e.g., e-sourcing tools, contract lifecycle management, spend analytics).

Ensure technology solutions are effectively integrated into sourcing operations to drive efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.

Risk, Compliance & Governance Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and ethical procurement standards.

Embed risk review and escalation into sourcing processes.

Operational Excellence Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor sourcing effectiveness and efficiency.

Implement policies, processes, and systems to support sustainable sourcing operations.

REQUIREMENTS :

• At least 10 years of progressive procurement and sourcing leadership experience, including direct and indirect categories.
• Proven success building procurement organizations and delivering business value through sourcing strategies. Experience establishing strategic sourcing processes in a scaling biotech or mid-cap pharma environment preferred.
• Deep expertise in category management, complex contract negotiations, and supplier performance management.
• Demonstrated experience driving procurement transformation and leading change in a matrixed environment.
• Strong track record within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.
• High integrity and a commitment to ethical sourcing practices.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic organization.

Benefits

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