We’re here for one reason and one reason only – to cure cancer. Every moment is dedicated to developing treatments and every action moves us one step closer to our goal. We’ve made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But we're not finished yet.
Join Kite, as we make even bigger advances in cancer therapies, and help shape where our business and medical science goes next.
We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Kite and help create more tomorrows.
The Clinical Logistics Associate is responsible for end-to-end clinical cell therapy logistics execution, including patient enrollment readiness, apheresis coordination, manufacturing tracking, and final product delivery for pivotal trials. The role ensures chain of identity/custody integrity, manages orders and critical supplies, and works closely with clinical, manufacturing, global trade compliance, and 3rd party logistics (3PL) couriers. The associate tracks shipments and risks, serves as the primary point of contact for logistics product status, and proactively resolves issues to ensure the safe and timely delivery of Kite’s lifesaving therapies.
This position requires 24/7 On Call Rotation
Responsibilities
End-to-end Cell Journey Execution
- Works with the clinical logistics digital systems manager and change manager to ensure enrollment readiness
o Works with the CRO to acquire trial site information to pass to digital systems for configuration
- Participates in trial Site Initiation Visit (SIV) training
- Executes dry runs for trial sites that require it
o Travel as needed for in-person dry runs
- Facilitates trial participant registration in the Salesforce cell journey orchestration platform
- Ensures the trial participant meets clinical trial eligibility criteria prior to arranging apheresis collection
- Ensures supply is at the trial site to facilitate apheresis collection
o Works with 3PLs to arrange transport of apheresis material to Kite manufacturing
o Uses the cell journey orchestration platform, 3PL systems, and communication with trial site to ensure product traceability and unbroken chain of identity (CoI) and chain of custody (CoC).
- Tracks customs clearance and confirms delivery of apheresis product at manufacturing
- Tracks manufacturing status and relays status and potential delays to the clinical trial site
- Works with manufacturing Site Planning and QA Product disposition to arrange timely transport of QA released final IP back to the clinical trial site
- Communicates expected delivery date to the clinical trial site and Study Management Team (SMT)
- Tracks product pick-up, transit, and delivery of the final IP to the clinical trial site using the Salesforce cell journey orchestration platform, 3PL systems, and direct communication with the trial site and 3PL.
Cell Order Management
- Uses the ERP to submit and book cell order for manufacture
- Verifies cell order bookings to ensure accuracy and completeness in concert with other logistics staff
Supply Orders
- Tracks and orders apheresis shipper kits for clinical trial sites to ensure clinical trial enrollment readiness
- Ensures on-site (trial site) apheresis shipper kits are not expired using tools provided by clinical logistics management as well as by direct confirmation with trial site CRCs
- Works with manufacturing Site Planning to order liquid nitrogen (LN2) dewars to enable shipment of final IP
o Ensures LN2 dewars are ordered early enough to ensure smooth operations and ensures dewars are returned immediately after use
Development Engagement
- Participates in clinical trial Study Management Team meetings
o Ensures SMT established clinical trial milestones are met
o Provides updates to the SMT on IP delivery status and logistics readiness
Manufacturing Engagement
- Works with various functions at manufacturing to ensure smooth operations
o Negotiates slot and confirms slot allocation with Site Planning
o Works with QA accessioning in the event of apheresis receipt issues
o Work with QA Product disposition to resolve events impeding timely final IP release and distribution
o Regularly communicates with Site Planning to discern final product status for communication back to the clinical trial site in the event of a manufacturing delay
Customs and Health Authority Compliance
- Uses clinical logistics systems to generate customs invoices to ensure smooth cross-border transport of apheresis and final product IP
- Works closely with GTC to provide visibility to all incoming and outbound cross-border shipments
o Notifies and works with GTC to resolve customs issues that arise in real-time an international border
- Works with manufacturing QA and RA as needed to facilitate country specific health authority shipment requirements
- Communicates with QP in countries that require in-country release to ensure timely delivery of final product
Operational Readiness and Coverage
- Escalates execution risks and process gaps to management for awareness
- Ensures logistics documentation is inspection ready and filed in accordance with applicable SOPs and eTMF requirements
- Maintains complete and accurate CoI and CoC documentation for all shipments
- Anticipates logistics risks and works with 3PLs and clinical logistics management to mitigate
- Monitor active shipments, identify risks or deviations, and proactively triage and resolve logistics issues impacting patient treatment timelines.
- Serve as the day-to-day logistics point of contact for clinical trial sites, CROs, manufacturing sites, and internal stakeholders.
- Participate in the Clinical Logistics 24/7 on call rotation to support time critical logistics events outside standard business hours.
Basic Qualifications
OR
OR
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Supply Chain, Business, Information Technology or related field preferred
Experience in clinical logistics, clinical operations, or clinical supply chain within the biopharmaceutical industry.
Basic understanding of end-to-end clinical trial operations, including patient-specific logistics, global trial execution, and their impact on systems and operations.
Any experience with cold-chain logistics or temperature-controlled biologics
Any experience with ERP systems (EBS, SAP, etc.)
Any experience with clinical trial tools and systems (CTMS, EDC, eTMF, IRT, IXRS, etc.)
Any experience with DCS and QMS systems (Veeva, Agile, etc.)
Basic knowledge of GCP, GMP, GxP, ICH, IATA principles and regulatory requirements.
Excellent communication, and collaborative skills.
- Strong problem-solving abilities.
Ability to manage complexity and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Smartsheet, and other business systems
The salary range for this position is: $69,445.00 - $89,870.00. Kite considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.
For additional benefits information, visit:
https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing
- Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.
Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid, long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune system's ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA.
NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Kite Pharma will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.
Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.
Kite Pharma provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.
Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
