Strategic Sourcing Engineer at Element Biosciences

San Diego, California, United States

Element Biosciences Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics, Medical DevicesIndustries

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technical operations, or a related technical discipline
  • 5–10 years of experience in life sciences with a focus in technical sourcing, process engineering, supplier quality, or procurement engineering
  • Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain principles and best practices
  • Deep knowledge of product development lifecycles, Bill of Materials (BOM) structures, and supplier qualification processes
  • Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management
  • Experience working with ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle
  • Proficient in data analysis and reporting tools, including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
  • Experience with software tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, etc
  • Highly detail-oriented, well-organized, and analytical with strong problem-solving skills
  • Strong engineering background and analytical sourcing skills
  • Experience in regulated industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, or medical devices
  • Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with rapidly shifting priorities over a large diversity of projects, delivering with focus while maintaining flexibility

Responsibilities

  • Source complex engineering components and assemblies—including mechanical, fluidic, and optical systems—for next-generation sequencing platforms
  • Collaborate with R&D and Operations to drive supplier selection for direct and indirect materials, contract manufacturing, and services, during both New Production Introduction (NPI) and post-launch phases
  • Develop and implement sourcing strategies aligned with the technology roadmap, emphasizing cost efficiency, manufacturability, quality, optimized lead times, and risk mitigations
  • Understanding of technical drawings and specifications, such as CAD models and blueprints
  • Negotiate contracts to secure competitive pricing, favorable terms, and strategic supplier partnerships
  • Partner with Quality to ensure supplier compliance with relevant standards such as ISO 13485
  • Track and report supplier performance metrics; manage scorecards and implement corrective actions
  • Strengthen supply chain resilience by qualifying alternate sources
  • Maintain accurate sourcing documentation
  • Leverage market intelligence, benchmarking, and cost modeling to manage cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) targets across product lifecycle stages, supply risks, cost drivers, make-vs-buy decisions, and dual sourcing strategies
  • Conduct semi-annual business reviews with strategic suppliers to evaluate performance and strengthen partnerships
  • Provide clear, data-driven updates to internal stakeholders through presentations and reports
  • Lead sourcing efforts for critical materials, components, and services across the product lifecycle—from development through commercialization
  • Build supplier relationships, manage risks, and ensure supply continuity while driving cost and quality improvements
  • Work cross-functionally with R&D, Process Engineering, Quality, and Operations to ensure supplier capabilities align with technical and business requirements

Skills

Strategic Sourcing
Supplier Management
Risk Management
Cost Improvement
Quality Improvement
Mechanical Systems
Fluidic Systems
Optical Systems
Contract Manufacturing
R&D Collaboration
Process Engineering
Supplier Selection

Element Biosciences

Next-generation sequencing technology provider

About Element Biosciences

Element Biosciences focuses on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, offering the AVITI System, a compact benchtop device that provides high-quality sequencing at a low cost of $1 per million reads. This system is designed for various clients, including academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies, and delivers industry-leading accuracy. Element Biosciences stands out by partnering with other biotech firms, like QIAGEN, to provide complete NGS workflows and by offering the 2023 AVITI for All Grant, which gives free sequencing for diverse applications. The company's goal is to make high-quality sequencing accessible and affordable to accelerate advancements in biotechnology.

San Diego, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2017Year Founded
$659.5MTotal Funding
SERIES_DCompany Stage
Biotechnology, HealthcareIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

100% company-paid medical, dental, & vision coverage
Flexible spending & health savings accounts
Premier mental health care
401(k) with immediately vested 4% company match
Company-paid Life and AD&D insurance
Stock option grants
Flexible time off
10 paid annual holidays
8-weeks paid parental leave

Risks

Increased competition from companies like Illumina may impact market share.
Rapid technological advancements require continuous innovation, straining resources.
High cost of AVITI24 may limit adoption among smaller research institutions.

Differentiation

Element Biosciences offers the AVITI System, a low-cost, high-quality sequencing platform.
The company's proprietary technology improves signal-to-noise ratio, enhancing sequencing data quality.
Strategic partnerships with firms like QIAGEN provide comprehensive NGS workflows for clients.

Upsides

AVITI24 platform integrates sequencing and multiomic analysis, revolutionizing cancer research.
Record growth in AVITI System installations indicates strong market demand and acceptance.
Recent executive appointments highlight commitment to leveraging AI for product optimization.

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