Head of Integrated Planning

Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API) brings life-saving research to the real world by helping life science innovators bridge the gap between academic research and commercial product development. We are driven, compassionate, and laser focused on making a dramatic positive impact with everything we undertake.

When you join API, you are part of a rapidly growing team that is creating collaborative opportunities to commercialize Canadian life sciences discoveries, increasing the amount of commercial research and development in the country, and supporting Alberta as a key pillar in Canada’s life sciences sector.

Role Overview

This is a build role. You will be creating the planning, supply chain, and program costing function from the ground up. You will own integrated demand and capacity planning, GMP materials management and procurement, and end-to-end program cost modeling from R&D through to fill finish - ensuring that every program that moves through our facility is properly resourced, costed, and scheduled.

You will work directly with the Chief Translational Officer, Director of Business Development and VP Technical Operations, and will be a key contributor to the organization’s ability to deliver on client commitments and price programs accurately and profitably.

This role carries significant near-term responsibility and is expected to evolve into a senior leadership position as the organization scales.

Full-time on-site presence required.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and own the master production schedule and capacity planning process across preclinical, clinical, and commercial manufacturing suites for both drug substance and sterile fill/finish.
• Develop and maintain a rolling demand forecast informed by client programs, R&D pipeline visibility, and BD inputs.
• Identify capacity constraints, resource bottlenecks, and scheduling conflicts proactively.
• Translate client program timelines into internal resource and material requirements at each stage gate.
• Build end-to-end program cost models covering every stage of development and manufacturing journey: R&D, process development, scale-up; GMP manufacturing; track actual costs against estimates; provide bid inputs for client proposals; partner with Finance on overhead allocation; build post-project reconciliation process; flag pricing risk.
• Build the critical materials list for all programs; establish approved supplier list framework; own demand-driven procurement planning; develop inventory management strategy; drive dual-sourcing strategy; manage supplier relationships; interface with shared services for PO processing.
• Lead materials readiness workstream for facility commissioning and first GMP batch; map supplier qualification timelines against manufacturing readiness milestones; develop SOPs for planning, scheduling, materials management, and program costing processes.
• Partner with Technical Operations on tech transfer timelines; interface with QA on supplier qualification, change control; provide planning and costing inputs to BD; participate in program team meetings as the lead for each active program.

What This Role Is Not

• Transactional procurement; not primarily processing purchase orders.
• Pure demand planning role; must be comfortable in cost modeling and supply chain.
• Role for someone who needs a fully built system; you are building the system.
• Finance role; COGS accounting stays with Finance; you own operational cost inputs.

Qualifications

Education

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in life sciences, engineering, supply chain, or related field.

Experience

• 8–12 years of experience in planning, supply chain, or operations in a GMP-regulated biotech, pharmaceutical, or CDMO environment.
• Demonstrated experience building program cost models for drug development or manufacturing programs.
• Direct experience with GMP raw materials procurement and supplier qualification processes.
• Strong understanding of approved supplier lists, material change control, and GMP compliance requirements.
• Experience building or significantly rebuilding a planning or materials management function.
• Experience at a CDMO or contract manufacturing environment – understands multi-client, multi-program complexity.
• Experience supporting a facility build, commissioning, or startup.
• Familiarity with drug substance manufacturing and fill/finish.
• Experience with cost of goods (COG) modeling for pharmaceutical or biotech programs.
• APICS certification (CPIM or CSCP), SCMP, or equivalent combination of pharmaceutical supply chain experience in a GMP-regulated environment.

Personal Competencies

• A builder, not a maintainer; energized by ambiguity.
• Commercially minded; accurate costing is as important as on-time delivery.
• Scientifically curious; engages with technical context.
• Credible under pressure; calm, factual, solutions-oriented when programs don't go to plan.
• Proactively communicative; raises issues early and keeps stakeholders informed.
• Quality-minded; understands regulatory consequences of shortcuts in procurement and planning.

Working Conditions

• Required travel between Edmonton API sites.
• Position requires on-site presence.

Perks and Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Coverage – premiums 100% covered.
• Retirement Savings – RRSP Matching Program up to 1–3% of base salary.
• Professional Development Opportunities – training programs, workshops, conferences, certifications.
• Collaborative and Inclusive Environment – diversity, teamwork, open communication.
• Generous Paid Time Off – vacation days, medical/personal days, holidays.
• Green Transit Allowance – eligible employees may enroll; commitment to green transit for at least 75% of commute.
• Work From Home – eligible employees entitled to 20 days subject to job function and manager approval.

EEO Statement

Our team, clients, and stakeholders come from a variety of backgrounds. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that all people bring to the workplace including varied lived experiences, education, culture, gender, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background, neurodiversity, and cognitive and physical ability.

Before employment, successful candidates will be required to meet the requirements of a pre-employment screening, which includes background reference checks, educational credential verification, and criminal reference checks.

This position will remain open until filled.

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