ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

We are seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Operations Manager to oversee the strategic and operational aspects of our Trade and Patient Support functions. This role is crucial to ensuring seamless distribution and patient support operations, collaborating with cross-functional teams, managing vendor relationships, and driving continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, particularly with distribution models, patient support operations, and complex supply chain management.

• Strategy and Tactical Recommendations: Lead the development and execution of distribution strategies with trade partners (e.g., SP, SD, hub, etc.), ensuring optimal alignment with business objectives.
• Budget Management: Oversee and manage budgets for distribution and patient support, ensuring financial discipline and cost-effective solutions.
• Vendor Negotiations and Agreements: Provide input and insights during the negotiation and execution of distribution and patient support vendor agreements, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance.
• Pull-through Support: Collaborate with internal and external partners (SD, SP, hub, etc.) to ensure successful pull-through of distribution agreements, driving operational excellence.
• Onboarding and Implementation: Lead the onboarding and implementation of all distribution and patient support partners, ensuring smooth transitions and effective integration.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Develop, align, and ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across SP and patient support partners, maintaining operational consistency and quality.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams such as Legal, Supply Chain, Commercial Analytics, Market Access, and Finance to resolve distribution-related issues and improve operational processes.
• Day-to-Day Operations Management: Oversee daily operations for distribution and patient support partners, ensuring timely execution of activities across SD, SP, free goods pharmacy, and 3PL.
• Customer Return Policies: Develop and negotiate return policies in collaboration with Legal, Compliance, Commercial, and Finance teams to meet business and regulatory requirements.
• Performance Metrics: Partner with Kura's data aggregator and commercial analytics teams to establish robust distribution and hub performance metrics to assess business health and operational success.
• Compliance and Inventory Management: Ensure compliance with multiple operational policies across all distribution and patient support vendors, monitoring inventory levels to ensure product availability and adherence to financial and legal parameters.
• Business Reviews and Relationships: Conduct regular business reviews with distribution and patient support partners to evaluate performance and resolve issues, fostering strong, long-term relationships with key partners and stakeholders.
• Supply Chain and Business Issue Management: Proactively identify potential supply constraints or operational issues, working closely with internal and external teams to mitigate risks and resolve challenges.
• Market Research and Service Offerings: Evaluate new service offerings based on market research and real-time feedback to enhance operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction.
• Internal Communication: Share insights on market trends, customer feedback, and best practices with internal stakeholders to support strategy development and operational improvements.
• Executive Relationships: Build and maintain strong executive-level relationships with targeted trade customers, ensuring ongoing strategic alignment and collaboration.
• Ad-Hoc Projects: Take on additional responsibilities and ad-hoc projects as needed, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic environment.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a related discipline; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years of experience in pharma/biotech, with a focus on market access, building and managing patient support and/ or distribution functions.
• Distribution Models: Strong understanding of and experience with various distribution models, including limited distribution networks.
• Patient Support Operations: Proven expertise in patient support operations (e.g., hub services, copay assistance, PAP, quick start, bridge programs).
• Specialty Patient Populations: Experience launching specialty therapies, particularly in rare or oncology populations, and managing associated distribution models.
• Vendor and Stakeholder Relationships: Established relationships with key stakeholders in SP, SD, and patient support domains.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the latest trends in distribution, patient support, and oncology eMR systems and pharmacy processes.
• Compliance and Pricing: Understanding of price and pricing implications in distribution agreements, including Fair Market Value services.
• Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving capabilities with an ability to think strategically and execute operational solutions.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence diverse teams.
• Business Acumen: Strong business acumen, with the ability to drive operational improvements and navigate complex business challenges.
• Adaptability: High interest in working in the hands-on, fast-paced environment of a small biotechnology company with limited resources.
• Travel: Moderate travel required to customers and the home office.

The base range for a Director is $219,000 - $250,000 and Senior Director is $256,000 - $294,000 per year. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location, and relevant education or training. Kura's compensation package also includes generous benefits, equity, and participation in an annual target bonus.