Project Management Senior Associate
Spectraforce
Newbury Park, California
2 hours ago
Job Description
Job Title: Project Management Senior Associate
Location: Remote
Duration: 1 year
Time Zone: Flexible (East Coast – West Coast)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, standard business hours (8–5)
The Project Management Senior Associate within R&D Supplier Management and Performance Analytics (SMPA) will play a key role in the oversight and performance management of outsourced services supporting clients Research and Development (R&D) organizations. This position is responsible for driving quality and ensuring stability across a global network of external third-party providers, with the ultimate goal of maintaining a robust and healthy supplier base capable of supporting the full spectrum of R&D activities.
The ideal candidate will bring strong organizational, analytical, managerial, and communication skills. Prior experience in biomarker or bioanalytical sciences, contract research organization (CRO) management, or third-party supplier performance management is highly preferred. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in pharma, biotech, or CRO environments and be comfortable operating at the intersection of scientific teams, suppliers, and leadership stakeholders.
Day to Day Responsibilities:
• Supplier Relationship & Performance Management
o Own and manage relationships with external suppliers, influencing processes and deliverables.
o Proactively identify areas of concern, implement remediation strategies, and ensure consistent supplier performance.
o Lead supplier evaluation, qualification, and remediation efforts to ensure a stable supply base.
• Cross-Functional Partnership
o Build and sustain strong collaborative relationships with internal R&D stakeholders to anticipate and address business needs.
o Partner with other corporate functions to manage study-level supplier deliverables and ensure alignment across teams.
o Support functional stakeholders in resolving issues related to contract negotiation and management.
• Governance & Compliance
o Contribute to departmental and cross-functional initiatives to review and update key policies, procedures, and standards.
o Maintain documentation to ensure regulatory inspection readiness; support and participate in audits when required.
o Monitor supplier performance against defined metrics and develop strategies for continuous improvement.
• Operational Excellence
o Oversee a global pool of suppliers, balancing quality, agility, and value in sourcing decisions.
o Find innovative solutions to optimize supplier engagement models and deliver business value.
o Provide supplier performance analytics, insights, and reporting to drive data-informed decision making.
Basic Qualifications:
• Master degree OR
• Bachelor degree and 2 years of experience OR
• Associate degree and 6 years of experience OR
• High school diploma / GED and 8 years of experience
Top 3 Must Have Skills:
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data and develop actionable insights.
• Proactive problem solver with the ability to adapt quickly and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong leadership qualities and experience in managing or mentoring teams preferred.
Key Qualifications:
• 3+ years of experience in project management within biotech, pharma, or CRO settings
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to present to leadership
• Experience translating lab-based or scientific work into operational updates
• Familiarity with supplier/vendor management or performance analytics preferred
• Proficiency in Excel, Smartsheet, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams
• Exposure to Tableau or similar BI tools is a plus (training available)
Nice to Have:
• Experience with CROs such as ICON or PPD
• Understanding of bioanalytical assays or R&D supplier workflows
Red Flags:
• Lack of Demonstrated Organizational & Project Management Skills
• Weak Communication or Documentation Signals such as typos, poor formatting, or disorganized resumes
• Irrelevant background with no R&D, CRO, or supplier/vendor-related experience
• No scientific background at all
• No exposure to R&D, CROs, or supplier-based environments
• Backgrounds too far removed (e.g., medical device manufacturing without assay exposure)
• Poor communication skills
• Disorganized or poorly formatted resumes
• Irrelevant industry experience (e.g., airline, non-science operations)
• Overqualification Concerns:
• Candidates with titles such as Senior Manager, Associate Director, etc., may not be appropriate given
Interview Process:
Remote Interviews via Teams - 2 Rounds:
1st interview with hiring manager
2nd interview with panel
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 52.16/hr.
Location: Remote
Duration: 1 year
Time Zone: Flexible (East Coast – West Coast)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, standard business hours (8–5)
The Project Management Senior Associate within R&D Supplier Management and Performance Analytics (SMPA) will play a key role in the oversight and performance management of outsourced services supporting clients Research and Development (R&D) organizations. This position is responsible for driving quality and ensuring stability across a global network of external third-party providers, with the ultimate goal of maintaining a robust and healthy supplier base capable of supporting the full spectrum of R&D activities.
The ideal candidate will bring strong organizational, analytical, managerial, and communication skills. Prior experience in biomarker or bioanalytical sciences, contract research organization (CRO) management, or third-party supplier performance management is highly preferred. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in pharma, biotech, or CRO environments and be comfortable operating at the intersection of scientific teams, suppliers, and leadership stakeholders.
Day to Day Responsibilities:
• Supplier Relationship & Performance Management
o Own and manage relationships with external suppliers, influencing processes and deliverables.
o Proactively identify areas of concern, implement remediation strategies, and ensure consistent supplier performance.
o Lead supplier evaluation, qualification, and remediation efforts to ensure a stable supply base.
• Cross-Functional Partnership
o Build and sustain strong collaborative relationships with internal R&D stakeholders to anticipate and address business needs.
o Partner with other corporate functions to manage study-level supplier deliverables and ensure alignment across teams.
o Support functional stakeholders in resolving issues related to contract negotiation and management.
• Governance & Compliance
o Contribute to departmental and cross-functional initiatives to review and update key policies, procedures, and standards.
o Maintain documentation to ensure regulatory inspection readiness; support and participate in audits when required.
o Monitor supplier performance against defined metrics and develop strategies for continuous improvement.
• Operational Excellence
o Oversee a global pool of suppliers, balancing quality, agility, and value in sourcing decisions.
o Find innovative solutions to optimize supplier engagement models and deliver business value.
o Provide supplier performance analytics, insights, and reporting to drive data-informed decision making.
Basic Qualifications:
• Master degree OR
• Bachelor degree and 2 years of experience OR
• Associate degree and 6 years of experience OR
• High school diploma / GED and 8 years of experience
Top 3 Must Have Skills:
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data and develop actionable insights.
• Proactive problem solver with the ability to adapt quickly and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong leadership qualities and experience in managing or mentoring teams preferred.
Key Qualifications:
• 3+ years of experience in project management within biotech, pharma, or CRO settings
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to present to leadership
• Experience translating lab-based or scientific work into operational updates
• Familiarity with supplier/vendor management or performance analytics preferred
• Proficiency in Excel, Smartsheet, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams
• Exposure to Tableau or similar BI tools is a plus (training available)
Nice to Have:
• Experience with CROs such as ICON or PPD
• Understanding of bioanalytical assays or R&D supplier workflows
Red Flags:
• Lack of Demonstrated Organizational & Project Management Skills
• Weak Communication or Documentation Signals such as typos, poor formatting, or disorganized resumes
• Irrelevant background with no R&D, CRO, or supplier/vendor-related experience
• No scientific background at all
• No exposure to R&D, CROs, or supplier-based environments
• Backgrounds too far removed (e.g., medical device manufacturing without assay exposure)
• Poor communication skills
• Disorganized or poorly formatted resumes
• Irrelevant industry experience (e.g., airline, non-science operations)
• Overqualification Concerns:
• Candidates with titles such as Senior Manager, Associate Director, etc., may not be appropriate given
Interview Process:
Remote Interviews via Teams - 2 Rounds:
1st interview with hiring manager
2nd interview with panel
Applicant Notices & Disclaimers
- For information on benefits, equal opportunity employment, and location-specific applicant notices, click here
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 52.16/hr.