Trade & Distribution Strategy, Associate Director - Cystis Fibrosis

Job Description

The Associate Director U.S. Distribution Strategy will be responsible for leading the implementation of distribution strategy for the company’s Cystic Fibrosis (CF) portfolio in North America. Working closely with the Director of Distribution Strategy, this person will drive the ongoing evaluation and evolution of the current CF distribution programs as well as preparing and planning for CF pipeline assets.

This individual will lead strategic planning of channel programing considering North America specific regulations and policies, program sustainability, strategic alliances, patient and customer access, data, class of trade and setting of care. They will inform distribution service agreements design to support maximum access and distribution efficiency. They will leverage expertise of access and reimbursement and considerations across a variety of drug types spanning small molecule, nebulized therapy, devices, and gene editing.

The role requires strong collaboration with members of Market Access, North America New Product Planning ("NA NPP"), Global Value Access & Strategy (“GVAS”), Global Commercial Team ("GCT"), U.S. Sales & Marketing, Commercial Manufacturing and Supply Chain (CMSC), Guidance & Patient Support (GPS), Global Insights Analytics and Commercial Operation (GIACO), Canadian Leadership Team, Accounting, Legal, Finance, Global Information Services (GIS), Government Affairs and Public Policy, Regulatory, Quality, and Pharmaceutical Operations.

Key Duties and Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the tactical execution of design planning, informing the development of scalable, effective distribution strategies to serve short and long-term expectations while considering financial impacts and patient/customer experience
• Collaborate and drive alignment across key stakeholders on distribution and channel strategy development; apply subject matter expertise to maximize patient access and achieve corporate goals
• Partner with the Trade and Distribution team and functional business partners to support Vertex’s understanding of distribution capabilities, market expertise and differentiation
• Produce business cases and recommendations on channel design, limited distribution and open network designs, strategic alliances (third party logistics providers, specialty pharmacy, wholesaler, specialty distributor, channel data aggregators).
• Support in identifying and defining timely evolution of current Vertex distribution programs with a focus on new product launch, risk mitigation, changes in market dynamics, competition, and/or regulatory and legislative changes
• Maintain a deep understanding of the distribution, hospital, specialty pharmacy channels; understand pharmacy and hospital capabilities and the competitive marketplace to ensure Vertex maintains an industry leading approach to patient support in specialty channels.
• Exercise sound judgment in all activities to ensure integrity and compliance with company policies. Promote Vertex core values, leading by example, developing and fostering exceptional collaboration and promote enterprise thinking to drive breakthrough results

Minimum Qualifications

• Specialty/Biotech industry experience with at least 5+ years in Commercial Market Access, Trade and Distribution and/or Contracting related functions preferably in rare disease and/or specialty markets
• Current knowledge of drug distribution channels including specialty distribution and specialty pharmacy.
• Proven ability to be an independent worker who can lead internal cross functional teams as well as external consultants.
• Knowledge, experience, and strong understanding with government programs, such as 340B, State Medicaid, Medicare Part D.
• Relevant experience with distribution networks, new product launches, trade processes, and understanding of pharmaceutical supply chain.
• Strong analytical skills with solid understanding of Trade channel data.
• Strong understanding of medical and pharmacy benefit dollar flows, healthcare policy topics.
• Strong understanding of the US commercial and government healthcare and reimbursement environment.
• Proactive communications, attention to detail, self-motivated.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively.
• Possess a working understanding of compliance with FDA regulations governing pharmaceutical marketing and the PhRMA code for HCP interactions.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 30% of the time.
• Bachelor’s degree; MBA or PharmD preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of specialty pharmacy, payer and patient services landscape.
• Expert in reimbursement, coding, distribution, and patient support programs.
• Knowledge and experience working in the Canadian market and understanding of provincial regulations relevant to Trade activity.
• Experience with GPO’s and IDN classes of trade.

Flex Designation:

Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.