About Forge
Forge, a member of Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, is a gene therapy development engine, focused on enabling access to life changing gene therapies and helping bring them from idea into reality. We partner with innovators in the gene therapy community: scientists, physicians, biotech/pharma companies, and patient groups. We bring expertise in gene therapy manufacturing and therapeutics development to the table, helping to champion teams that are navigating the long road from the lab bench to the bedside. Our goal is simple but vital to patients living with disease, and we take it seriously. With a patient-first approach, we are forging new models for working together to better accelerate these transformative medicines to reach those who need them the most.
Forge is based in Columbus, Ohio, in a 200,000 square foot facility known affectionately by team members as, the Hearth. The Hearth, is a custom-designed cGMP facility dedicated to AAV manufacturing and hosts scalable, end-to-end manufacturing services.
About the Role:
We are currently seeking a Procurement Specialist to join the Forge Biologics team. In this role, the Procurement Specialist will directly contribute to the strategic, operational, and supply chain activities required to support the cGMP manufacturing programs and vision. This role will manage all purchasing and sourcing for the supply chain operations department for both internal and external gene therapy programs.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a key function of our department and to make our organization successful. The candidate will lead all purchasing activities, communicate with internal users, and external clients to support GMP and research business operations. The candidate will serve to assure all groups are properly supported and integrated into new systems and communications to support future growth and the Forge strategic vision.
What You'll Do:
- Execute daily activities to support procurement processes. Including but not limited to: executing purchase orders with suppliers, establishing lines of communication with new and existing suppliers, contacting suppliers to obtain price/lead time on products and follow ups on all open orders, following up on late deliveries and backordered items, communicating with internal teams on order status.
- Coordination with suppliers to obtain up-to-date lead-times and delivery dates.
- Coordinate and lead periodic internal meetings to support the sourcing of equipment and materials for GMP and research manufacturing programs.
- Attend and set-up weekly or Bi-weekly open order meetings with critical suppliers.
- Manage vendor compliance to performance metrics and pursue all avenues to acquire cGMP compliant products.
- Collaborate with Purchasing Manager to create and report out bi-weekly Pharmaceutical backorder report to internal and external customers.
- Aid in the setup of lab inventory Kan-Ban system and management of inventory; including establishing reorder points and safety stock levels.
- Utilize industry knowledge to conduct searches for new manufacturers and improve product availability and access.
- Coordinate with Supply Chain Management to evaluate and negotiate competitive supply agreements.
- Aid in Vendor review and help Supplier Quality pull information needed to evaluate vendors.
- Aid the finance department when necessary to resolve pricing or invoicing discrepancies.
- Conduct self in a professional and ethical manner that is consistent with the Company’s policies and procedures.
- Work with Inventory Analyst and Operations Planner to ensure proper amount of products are purchased to support operations.
- Work to develop recurring/blanket orders for repetitious/long-lead time products to ensure continuous supply.
What You'll Bring:
- 3+ years of experience supporting supply chain, procurement, and/or buying activities
- Experience in biopharmaceutical manufacturing or regulated supply chain activities strongly preferred
- Ability to work hours necessary to support production and/or product transfer activities
- Strong knowledge of various ERP/MRP systems
- Travel on an infrequent basis is required (<5%) to support job responsibilities and commitments.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
This position works in both a warehouse and typical office environment where the physical work demands will vary depending on the specific tasks and duties required of the job. The noise level is usually moderate. This role utilizes a computer and other standard warehouse equipment such as powered industrial trucks and hand trucks. Regularly moves freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles. Must be able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Regularly communicate with others in person and electronically. Must have the ability to move around the facility for extended periods of time.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned.
Forge Biologics is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Forge Biologics, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Life at Forge
We are a team of diverse, driven and passionate people working together to trailblaze a new model for how we make medicines to treat patients with genetic diseases. Our team members use their creativity and talent to invent new solutions, meet new demands, and offer the most effective services in the industry. Forge’s core values lay the foundation for H.O.P.E. It provides us a common purpose that we all understand, work towards and live by.
HARDWORKING - We work hard and smart, making a persistent and determined effort toward success. Working hard, with focus and desire is the key.
OPEN - We strive to be approachable, actively listen and encourage others to contribute and speak up. We positively offer and receive constructive feedback.
PURPOSE DRIVEN - We are passionate about working towards and delivering on our mission to manufacture gene therapies.
ENGAGED - We are fully absorbed by and enthusiastic about our work and take positive action to further Forge’s vision, mission and goals.
We’ve Got You Covered
We take the health and happiness of our employees seriously and are consistently evaluating new ways to make our benefits truly UnFORGEttable.
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance that starts on your first day at Forge, with 90% of premiums covered for team members as well as dependents
- Flexible PTO (plus 14 paid company holidays)
- Annual bonus for all full-time employees
- 401(K) company match
- Fully-stocked kitchen with free food/drinks
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave - additional discount programs include childcare support & dependent care
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness benefits (financial planning services, mental health counseling, employer paid disability)
- Professional & Personal development resources - LinkedIn Learning, a dedicate training staff in-house, mentoring opportunities & access to leadership development coaches
