Manager, R&D Business Operations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in North Carolina.

📋 Description

• Create, generate, and oversee purchase orders in Ariba/SAP after the complete execution of contracts.

• Convert contractual payment terms, milestones, and fee structures into precise purchase order formats.

• Examine finalized agreements for financial setups, funding distributions, payment timelines, and budget oversight.

• Manage change orders, PO modifications, closures, and funding revisions.

• Collaborate with R&D, Finance, and Strategic Sourcing to address system or budget inconsistencies.

• Supervise PO lifecycle activities, such as invoice matching, goods receipt confirmations, accrual assistance, and PO reconciliation.

• Ensure adherence to financial controls, delegation of authority policies, and procurement protocols.

• Act as the system subject matter expert for Ariba/SAP purchase order workflows.

• Educate business partners on the purchase requisition and PO processes.

• Lead operational status meetings regarding PO issuance, budget tracking, and financial metrics.

• Produce reports and dashboards for PO cycle times, outstanding commitments, expenditure against budget, and operational KPIs.

• Assist in month-end and year-end closing activities, including accrual validation and financial reconciliation.

• Recognize and implement process enhancements.

• Aid in audit requests and compliance assessments pertaining to procurement and purchase order activities.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

• At least 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical/biotech business operations, procurement operations, finance operations, or contract-to-PO management.

• Proven experience in creating and managing purchase orders within enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba).

• Strong comprehension of procure-to-pay (P2P) processes, including requisitioning, PO generation, invoice matching, and accruals.

• Experience collaborating across functions with R&D, Finance, Strategic Sourcing, Legal, and Accounts Payable.

• Excellent analytical abilities with the skill to interpret financial terms in contracts and translate them into operational system requirements.

• Familiarity with pharmaceutical/biotech regulatory and compliance issues affecting vendor payments and financial controls.

• Capability to identify financial discrepancies or operational risks and escalate them as needed.

• Strong organizational abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple purchase orders, vendors, and deadlines concurrently.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with advanced Excel skills for financial tracking and reporting.

• Experience in supporting internal or external audits related to procurement or financial operations.

• Keen attention to detail and the ability to interpret and apply company financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.

• Legal authorization to work in the country where the role is based.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive base salary along with performance-related incentives.

• Health and wellness programs, including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable.

• Retirement and pension plans.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Employee assistance programs and wellness resources.

• Opportunities for learning and development through structured training and career pathways.