Planning and Procurement Manager

Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing transformative cell and exosome-based therapies for rare diseases. At the forefront of our innovation is Deramiocel (CAP-1002), our lead cell therapy in late-stage development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We are also harnessing our proprietary StealthX™ exosome platform to unlock new possibilities in targeted delivery and vaccinology. Every program reflects our commitment to pushing the boundaries of science and delivering life-changing treatments to patients and families who need them most.

The Planning & Procurement Manager leads Capricor’s end-to-end materials planning, procurement (direct and indirect), and inventory strategies to ensure uninterrupted availability of GMP materials. This role manages a multidisciplinary team including Procurement and Planning staff. A successful candidate will provide leadership, operational oversight, and strategic direction.

The Manager will support Capricor’s ongoing operational growth by ensuring that planning and procurement processes scale effectively with the organization. This includes contributing to the development of future warehouse capabilities, supporting ERP enhancements, and strengthening cross-functional coordination. The Manager ensures supplier performance, planning accuracy, regulatory compliance, and alignment with Manufacturing, Quality, and Warehouse Operations.

Key Responsibilites :
Planning & Demand Management

• Lead the demand planning, materials planning, and production planning processes to maintain uninterrupted supply.

• Oversee the Master Planner’s activities, including SIOP, production schedules, capacity planning, safety stock management, and work order creation in ERP.

• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Tech Transfer to ensure material readiness for production, fill/finish, and pack-out needs.

• Monitor inventory health, expiration dating, and shelf-life management.

• Ensure planning alignment for 3PL inventory at Cardinal Health, Nashville.

• Support planning for commercial pack-out operations transitioning from QA to Supply Chain.

Procurement Strategy & Execution

• Lead strategic and high-risk negotiations, supplier escalations, and sourcing decisions for critical materials.

• Delegate routine and mid-complex negotiations to Procurement team.

• Ensure Procurement complies with GMP purchasing requirements, supplier document control, and cost management.

• Develop sourcing strategies, lead supplier selection, and provide contract recommendations.

• Strengthen supplier performance monitoring, qualification, and issue resolution in coordination with Supplier Quality.

Materials Planning Oversight

• Provide leadership direction to the Material Planner to ensure inventory availability, material disposition, storage compliance, deviation management, and temperature-controlled materials monitoring.

• Ensure GMP compliance for incoming material inspection, documentation, and traceability.

• Support accurate material movement tracking across ERP, 3PL, warehouse, and manufacturing.

ERP, Systems, & Process Optimization

• Act as functional lead for planning and procurement within NetSuite.

• Maintain proper item master configurations, planning parameters, purchasing workflows, and material specs.

• Drive SOP development, automation, and data integrity improvements.

• Ensure planning and procurement processes are scalable for upcoming warehouse expansions and commercial launch readiness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Warehouse Operations, Commercial Logistics, and Finance to ensure seamless material flow and shipment readiness.

• Support the Commercial Logistics group in pack-out materials planning and inventory control.

• Take critical role in internal/external audits (FDA, supplier audits, QA audits).

Leadership & People Management

• Directly manage Buyer III, Buyer I, Procurement Specialist, Master Planner, and Material Planner.

• Set clear goals, coach team members, conduct performance evaluations, and develop career growth paths.

• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

• Ensure team readiness for increasing operational scale, including 7-day operations and warehouse expansion.

Minimum Qualifications :
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, or related field.

• 7+ years supply chain experience in biotech/pharmaceutical GMP operations.

• Prior experience managing planning and/or procurement personnel strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience with ERP/MRP systems.

• Strong understanding of GMP, FDA requirements, and materials compliance.

• Excellent communication, analytical, and negotiation skills.

Preferred Qualifications :
• Master’s in supply chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, or related field

• NetSuite experience

• ASCM/APICS certifications (CPIM, CSCP)

Competencies :
• Delivers high-quality outcomes under demanding timelines.

• Anticipates supply risks and market changes.

• Use data and judgment to make sound decisions.

• Connects team priorities to business objectives.

• Build strong cross-functional partnerships.

• Handles competing priorities and ambiguity.

• Coaches and mentors, a growing team.

Why Capricor?
Capricor Therapeutics, a trailblazer in cell and exosome therapy, is dedicated to redefining standards of care with innovative treatments rooted in scientific excellence. Guided by integrity and a passion for patient-centered impact, our team is shaping a brighter future for healthcare. Join us and contribute to a mission-driven group that’s transforming lives with every breakthrough.

Come Work With Us!
At Capricor, you’ll thrive in a collaborative environment that nurtures your professional growth and innovation. Join a dedicated team fueled by a passion for advancing medical science and transforming patient lives through our cutting-edge therapies.

Please note that Capricor does not use Skype for interviews or recruiting activities. Candidates will only be contacted by an official Capricor email address which is @capricor.com. Additionally, Capricor will never ask potential employees to send a check or money to the Company for any reason.

Notice to Recruiting Agencies
Capricor Therapeutics does not accept candidate submissions or referrals from recruiting agencies, staffing firms, or third-party recruiters without expressed consent from Talent Acquisition management and a prior written agreement. Agencies that contact hiring managers directly, solicit business, or submit candidates without this approval will not be considered for any engagement. All such submissions become the property of Capricor Therapeutics, and no fees will be paid for any candidates hired as a result. We appreciate your cooperation and respect for this policy.