Careers

Want to aim higher?

“Aim higher” is a sentiment that reflects the internal culture at Ascend. We are looking to create more transparent and deeper connections that net better results. It is understood that every interaction gives us the chance to raise the bar internally and for the industry, and that there is great value in doing the right thing, even if it is not the easy thing.

As Ascenders, our intention is to meet every day with the mindset of aiming higher, to enable safer and faster progress in advanced therapies that stands the test of time.

Our Values

In addition to the philosophy, “aim higher”, we hold ourselves to three core values that encapsulate our central commitments, both to our customers and to one another:

Quality by integrity

We set high standards, putting quality and evidence first to seek the best solutions.

Adaptability is in our DNA

We are forward-thinking problem solvers, driven by developing science to deliver the best therapies.

Serving patients by serving our partners

We can depend on each other, and on the organisation, to deliver goals and services.

Quality by integrity

We set high standards, putting quality and evidence first to seek the best solutions.

Adaptability is in our DNA

We are forward-thinking problem solvers, driven by developing science to deliver the best therapies.

Serving patients by serving our partners

We can depend on each other, and on the organisation, to deliver goals and services.

See our latest vacancies

Are you looking to join a team where you can Aim Higher in your professional AND personal goals? Our team is continuously growing across the globe.

Email resumes to people@ascend-adv.com

Senior Purchasing Specialist

The Senior Purchasing Specialist leads strategic procurement initiatives and manages complex, high-value sourcing activities across the organization, including global and multi-site operations (US, UK, and Germany). This is a hands-on role requiring both strategic sourcing leadership and direct execution of procurement transactions. This role drives supplier performance, cost optimization, and risk mitigation while ensuring compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements. As a key cross-functional partner, the Senior Purchasing Specialist develops and executes procurement strategies that support operational goals, financial performance, and long-term supply chain resilience.

  • Execute day-to-day procurement activities, including creation of purchase requisitions (PRs), purchase orders (POs), and processing/coordination of vendor invoices Ensure accuracy and timeliness of transactional procurement activities in ERP systems
  • Lead sourcing strategy and category management for assigned direct and indirect spend areas across multiple sites including international/overseas operations
  • Develop and execute cost-reduction, cost avoidance, and supplier optimization initiatives
  • Conduct market analysis, supplier risk assessments, and benchmarking to inform sourcing decisions
  • Analyze spend data and provide actionable insights to improve procurement efficiency and cost control
  • Lead complex supplier negotiations to secure optimal pricing, contract terms, and long-term value
  • Own end-to-end procurement processes, including sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance management for high-impact purchases
  • Identify, qualify, and manage supplier relationships; evaluate performance based on cost, quality, delivery, and reliability
  • Ensure compliance with internal policies, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and customer-specific requirements, particularly for government-funded contracts
  • Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for procurement processes, systems, and regulatory compliance
  • Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Facilities, HR, Legal, and Contracts to support project execution and resolve procurement challenges
  • Collaborate with planning and inventory control to maintain optimal stock levels and mitigate supply risks
  • Oversee and maintain procurement documentation, including purchase orders and supplier records, within DELTEK/Costpoint®
  • Prioritize and manage critical or time-sensitive procurements while maintaining compliance and accuracy
  • Develop and implement procurement strategies that enhance cost efficiency, supplier performance, and supply continuity
  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and training to junior purchasing staff as needed
  • Working knowledge of government procurement regulations, including FAR, DFARS, or equivalent
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Administration, or related field preferred, or other degree and equivalent experience
  • Minimum of 5-6 years of progressive procurement experience, including strategic sourcing and supplier management
  • Demonstrated success in achieving measurable cost savings and process improvements
  • Experience managing high-value or complex procurement spend
  • Strong negotiation and contract management skills with the ability to balance cost, quality, and delivery requirements
  • ERP system experience (NetSuite and/or DELTEK/Costpoint® strongly preferred )
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office® (Excel, Word, Outlook)
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
  • High level of initiative, accountability, and professionalism

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in biotechnology, contract manufacturing, or GMP-regulated environments
  • Advanced experience in contract negotiation and supplier management
  • Knowledge of supplier risk management and mitigation strategies
  • Experience with spend analytics, forecasting, and procurement data analysis

Travel Requirements (0%) ·

  • Hybrid role Supervisor Responsibilities
  • Provide guidance, mentorship, and training to junior purchasing staff
  • Act as a subject matter expert and escalation point for procurement-related issues
  • May lead cross-functional initiatives or procurement projects

Email resumes to people@ascend-adv.com

Global Director, Project Management & Commercial Operations

Ascend Advanced Therapies FL, Inc. – Alachua, FL

Overview

The Global Director of Project Management & Commercial Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for leading and scaling the global Project Management Organization (PMO) across all sites of the Company’s CDMO business, while simultaneously overseeing and enhancing commercial operations.

This role is critical to execution excellence, customer experience, revenue realization, and operational scalability. The successful candidate will lead day‑to‑day project delivery while also shaping PMO strategy, commercial effectiveness, and planning capabilities in partnership with the CEO and Commercial leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Global Project Management Leadership

  • Lead and manage the global PM organization, including project managers across all sites and regions.
  • Ensure consistent execution, on‑time delivery, scope control, and margin protection across the full CDMO project lifecycle.
  • Establish and maintain best‑in‑class PMO standards, governance, KPIs, and reporting.
  • Drive alignment between project execution, operations, quality, regulatory, and commercial teams.
  • Serve as the senior escalation point for critical customer programs and at‑risk projects.

PMO Strategy & Transformation

  • Develop a PMO strategy and operating model for CEO adoption, aligned with growth, scale, and customer complexity.
  • Improve project predictability, resourcing models, and portfolio visibility.
  • Lead initiatives to standardize tools, systems, and workflows across global sites.
  • Partner with Finance to improve forecast accuracy, project margin visibility, and revenue recognition inputs.

Commercial Operations Leadership

  • Own and evolve the Commercial Operations function, supporting Sales and Business Development.
  • Drive improvements in: Opportunity‑to‑contract execution, internal sales effectiveness, pricing and change‑order discipline, and revenue realization and backlog management.
  • Maximize commercial opportunities through better coordination between Sales, PM, Operations, and Finance.
  • Support expansion of internal sales capabilities and customer lifecycle management.

S&OP and Planning

  • Establish and lead a robust Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process.
  • Align demand forecasts, capacity planning, project resourcing, and commercial commitments.
  • Provide leadership‑level insights to enable proactive decision‑making and risk mitigation.

Executive Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Team on execution, delivery risk, and commercial optimization.
  • Partner closely with the CCO to ensure commercial strategy is operationally executable.
  • Represent the Company credibly with key customers, strategic partners, and internal stakeholders.

Capabilities & Skills

  • Deep understanding of project economics, margin drivers, and delivery risk in a CDMO context.
  • Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate sales commitments into executable delivery plans.
  • Systems‑oriented mindset with experience improving or implementing PM, CRM, ERP, or planning tools.
  • Excellent communication and influence skills across technical, commercial, and executive audiences.
  • Change‑management leadership in complex, matrixed organizations.

Educational Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Life Sciences, Business, or equivalent).
  • MBA or advanced degree, preferred.
  • PMP or equivalent certification is a plus but not required.

Additional Required Qualifications

  • 12+ years of progressive experience in Project Management, Operations, or Commercial Operations, ideally within: CDMO / CMO, Biopharma, Life Sciences manufacturing, or complex, regulated industrial environments
  • Proven experience leading global, multi‑site project management teams.
  • Demonstrated success in scaling PMO functions in high‑growth or transforming organizations.
  • Direct experience supporting or leading commercial operations, including pipeline execution, order‑to‑revenue processes, or sales enablement.
  • Hands‑on experience establishing or running S&OP or integrated planning processes.
  • Strong executive presence with experience working directly with CEOs and C‑suite leaders.

What Success Looks Like

  • Predictable, on‑time project delivery across all sites
  • Improved customer satisfaction and retention
  • Stronger alignment between Sales, PM, and Operations
  • Improved revenue realization and commercial discipline
  • Scalable, transparent PMO and commercial operating model

Benefits:

  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employee discount
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

  • Do you now or will you in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States?
  • Do you have 12+ years of experience in Project Management, Operations, or Commercial Operations?
  • Do you have experience working in a CDMO, biopharma, life sciences manufacturing, or other regulated environment?
  • Have you led project management teams across multiple sites or regions?
  • Do you have experience building or scaling PMO functions in high-growth or transforming organizations?
  • Do you have experience supporting or leading commercial operations (e.g., pipeline execution, order-to-revenue, sales enablement)?
  • Have you established or led an S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) or integrated planning process?
  • Do you have experience working directly with executive leadership (CEO, C-suite)?
  • Do you hold an MBA or other advanced degree?
  • Do you have experience in a CDMO environment specifically?

Education:

  • Bachelor’s (Required)

Email resumes to people@ascend-adv.com

Don’t see the role that’s the right fit for you and your aspirations?

Get in touch, tell us what would be, and we’ll do the rest.

Email your resume

Ascender testimonials

Ascend here in Alachua, Florida is a great culmination of great people, great culture, and great advancement in gene and cell therapy. The experience in industry here is what sets us apart.

Warren

Manager, Process Development and Manufacturing Support

"I really enjoy how we're always improving and working together towards our goals. We go through the ups and downs as a team, facing challenges and celebrating exciting moments. It's great how we stick together through it all.

Miriam

Senior Associate, People Team

Startup life offers the chance to build processes from the outset, with the freedom to bring ideas and a sense of belonging. What I love most about Ascend is that you can do it with not just co-workers, but friends.

Beatriz

Upstream Technician

I relish the opportunity to work on new and exciting projects, collaborating with Subject Matter Experts from different areas, and having to adapt to new environments. This challenges me to grow in my professional career.

Sean

Validation Specialist

Life at Ascend

A great employee experience is about more than a retirement savings plan or staff discounts.

We have built this company knowing that employees are our greatest asset and are dedicated to fostering a workplace culture that is welcoming and enjoyable, while ensuring employees have the resources needed to get hard work done daily.

And of course, we know those benefits plans are also critical! Our packages have been put together to reflect how much we value our employees and to create a sense of security in a market that is rapidly changing.

Please discover more about our global and local benefits packages on the vacancy pages.

See our latest vacancies