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Orca Bio is a commercial-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation cell therapies for blood cancer patients, aiming to improve survival rates and reduce risks associated with traditional allogeneic stem cell transplants.
As Director of Trade, Distribution and Patient Assistance, you will own the strategy, buildout, and day-to-day operation of the distribution channel through which Orca Bio's portfolio moves from manufacturing to the point of care. Reporting to the Head of Market Access, you will be accountable for third-party logistics (3PL) partners, specialty pharmacy networks, and the end-to-end distribution and order-to-cash pathway supporting Authorized Treatment Center (ATC) ordering, government-channel ordering, and patient assistance program fulfillment.
Key responsibilities include:
**Third-Party Logistics & Distribution Operations:** Develop and execute comprehensive trade, channel, and patient assistance strategy; serve as primary point of contact for 3PL relationships; finalize and maintain Business Requirements Documents; own end-to-end distribution model design including title flow, order intake, delivery, and reconciliation; establish and maintain state licensing; develop and oversee standard operating procedures and governance processes; collaborate with finance on timely data reporting and payments; manage credit and cancellation policies; and monitor 3PL performance and compliance.
**Specialty Pharmacy Network:** Own specialty pharmacy channel strategy and lead activation of operational pathways; manage specialty pharmacy relationships through contracting and implementation; finalize end-to-end process flows in collaboration with Product Supply, Finance, and Market Access; lead contract negotiations and oversee compliance; monitor partner performance against service level agreements and KPIs; and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
**Patient Assistance & Free-Drug Fulfillment:** Develop and maintain compliant patient assistance program policies aligned with OIG guidance; partner with PAP program hub on operational pull-through of travel, lodging, and other patient assistance programs.
**Cross-Functional Partnership & Compliance:** Partner with Finance on distribution flows supporting accurate government price reporting, gross-to-net mechanics, and revenue recognition; partner with Legal and Compliance to ensure trade agreements and channel practices comply with policies and applicable laws; coordinate with Technical Operations/Supply Chain on ordering, manufacturing allocation, cold-chain logistics, and delivery; support ATC agreement execution; and provide trade and distribution input into pricing changes.
You will serve as the primary point of contact for 3PL, specialty pharmacy partners, and patient assistance hub while translating distribution requirements into operational reality and partnering closely with Finance, Legal, Compliance, Technical Operations, and field teams to ensure every dose is ordered, shipped, delivered, and reconciled without disruption to patient care.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA or related) preferred
- Minimum 10 years' experience in pharmaceutical/biotech trade, channel, distribution, or specialty operations, with at least 5 years in a trade/distribution leadership role
- Direct experience managing 3PL and/or specialty pharmacy relationships and contracts required
- Cell and gene therapy, transplant, or other cold-chain/limited-distribution product experience strongly preferred, including familiarity with chain-of-identity and chain-of-custody requirements
- Strong background in U.S. distribution economics, government channels (340B, VA), government price reporting, and gross-to-net mechanics
- Experience supporting a product launch strongly preferred
- Demonstrated ability to build and operate a distribution model from the ground up and manage external partners to operational milestones
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with Finance, Legal, Compliance, Technical Operations, and field teams
- Strong contract negotiation skills and cross-functional leadership
- Experience in U.S. healthcare marketplace required
- Travel up to 30% required
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and operate with highest ethical standards and professionalism
