Manager, R&D Contracts and Sourcing

Job description

The Role:

Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that's revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology, with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases.

As an employee, you'll be part of a continually growing organization, working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide, contributing to global health initiatives.

Moderna's commitment to advancing the technological frontier of mRNA medicines ensures a challenging and rewarding career experience, with the potential to make a significant impact on patients' lives worldwide.

Moderna is solidifying its presence within our international business services hub in Warsaw, Poland, a city renowned for its rich scientific and technological heritage.

This hub provides critical functions, meeting the growing demand of Moderna’s global business operations.

We're inviting professionals from around the world to join our mission and contribute to the future of mRNA medicines.

In this key role, the Contracts and Sourcing Manager will support Moderna’s Global Procurement team with a focus on the Research and Development organization.

Based in Warsaw, this sole contributor position will play a central role in drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts from initiation through execution, while contributing to vendor selection initiatives and optimizing contract management processes.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a global organization, closely collaborating with Legal, Procurement, Finance, and cross-functional teams.

The individual will also help shape contract templates and improve sourcing operations — all while staying close to advancements in Generative AI tools and digital procurement technologies that are transforming contract intelligence and operational efficiency.

Here’s What You’ll Do:

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Draft and review vendor/consultant contract documents, ensuring alignment with category strategies and master service agreements.

• Negotiate contract terms and budgets using benchmarking data and market insights, in coordination with Global Procurement.

• Manage execution of contracts, ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory standards.

• Collaborate with Legal and Procurement teams to ensure consistent, compliant, and business-aligned contracting practices.

• Guide internal stakeholders on appropriate agreement structures that match their operational needs.

Your responsibilities will also include:

• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date contract archive within Moderna’s contract management system.

• Track contract metrics and drive efficiency improvements in contract cycle times.

• Support process development and participate in corporate initiatives related to contract and sourcing optimization.

• Contribute to template development and tool enhancements that drive standardization and automation.

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders across Procurement, Legal, and Finance to meet project timelines for a high volume of R&D-related contract activity.

The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:

• “We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.”
  In this role, your focus on driving automation, template evolution, and data-enabled contract tracking will align directly with our commitment to digitization.
  
  By staying curious and open to emerging digital tools — including Generative AI — you'll enhance speed, precision, and impact in sourcing and contracting activities.

• “We behave like owners.
  
  The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description.”
  This role demands accountability and a proactive mindset.
  
  You’ll be empowered to improve processes, influence contract standards, and ensure Moderna’s operational excellence — acting with full ownership of your contracts portfolio and vendor partnerships across the R&D landscape.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Business or Legal discipline, or related field required, Paralegal degree or certification, preferred

• 5+ years in the pharmaceutical, life sciences or related industry, in contract negotiation/management

• Experience with various contract types and service categories preferred

• Sound understanding of drug development processes

• Demonstrated understanding of project management principles as well as sound knowledge of contract terms and conditions, benchmarking and market analysis skills

• Strong organizational and facilitation skills as well as great attention to detail

• Ability to work independently and successfully in a matrix environment, and to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously

• Outstanding communication skill and excellent English skills, both written and verbal

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications):

• Ability to work in a multicultural team environment and interact with a wide variety of customers

• Must be able to relate effectively to people at all levels of the organization

• Capable of taking an innovative approach to problem-solving, with an integrated view of business and scientific issues

• Skilled at developing and maintaining professional interpersonal relationships with colleagues internally and externally to complete given tasks

• Possess high levels of professionalism, poise and have a can-do attitude

• Address cross-functional issues and balance competing priorities effectively

• Thrive in a fast-paced innovative environment while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful, and efficient

• Demonstrate proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation software (MS Office skills such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint)

• A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work.

 That’s why our global benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Quality healthcare and insurance benefits
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts to create your own pathway to well-being
• Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
• Family planning and adoption benefits
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investments
• Location-specific perks and extras!

The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.