Planning Researcher Jobs in Alberta (NOW HIRING)

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.

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.

** Please note this position requires full-time on-site presence.

Key Responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

Integrated Planning & Scheduling

• 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.

Program Cost Modeling - R&D Through to Fill Finish

• Build and own end-to-end program cost models covering every stage of the development and manufacturing journey:
  • R&D, process development, and scale-up - reagents, consumables, equipment time, scientist and technician time, analytical costs.
  • GMP manufacturing - batch materials, labor, QC testing, facility overhead allocation.
• Develop and maintain a standardized program cost model template used for every bid and every program.
• Track actual costs against estimates at each stage gate; reconcile post-program to build institutional cost knowledge.
• Provide bid inputs for every client proposal: materials costing, labor hours, timeline, capacity check, and fill finish cost estimate.
• Partner with Finance on overhead allocation methodology and COGS reporting; own the operational cost inputs, Finance owns the accounting treatment.
• Build the post-project reconciliation process.
• Flag pricing risk to BD and CEO when program scope assumptions in a bid carry material cost uncertainty.

GMP Materials Management & Procurement

• Build the critical materials list for all programs.
• Establish and maintain the Approved Supplier List framework in partnership with QA - own the materials strategy, QA owns the qualification decision.
• Own demand-driven procurement planning for GMP raw materials, reagents, excipients, and single-use assemblies.
• Develop inventory management strategy balancing working capital efficiency against supply risk.
• Drive dual-sourcing strategy for critical and single-source materials.
• Manage supplier relationships for critical materials; escalate qualification and supply risk issues to QA and CTO.
• Interface with shared services for PO processing and vendor payment; shared services executes transactions, does not make GMP supplier decisions.

Pre-Commercial Readiness

• Lead materials readiness workstream for facility commissioning and first GMP batch.
• Map supplier qualification timelines against manufacturing readiness milestones -identify and close gaps.
• Develop SOPs for planning, scheduling, materials management, and program costing processes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Technical Operations on tech transfer timelines - ensure materials, capacity, and cost assumptions are aligned as programs transition between stages.
• Interface with QA on supplier qualification, change control for material or supplier changes, and inventory disposition.
• Provide planning and costing inputs to BD for client timeline commitments and capacity availability conversations.
• Participate in program team meetings as the planning, materials, and cost lead for each active program.

What This Role Is Not

• Not a transactional procurement role. You are not primarily processing purchase orders.
• Not a pure demand planning role. You must be equally comfortable in cost modeling and supply chain.
• Not a role for someone who needs a fully built system. You are building the system.
• Not a finance role. COGS accounting and financial reporting stay with Finance; you own the operational cost inputs.

Qualifications - (Education, Certification, Degree, Skills, Knowledge, etc.)

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 - not just scheduling.
• 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, preferred.
• Experience supporting a facility build, commissioning, or startup -has lived through pre-commercial readiness, preferred.
• Familiarity with drug substance manufacturing and fill/finish, preferred.
• Experience with cost of goods (COG) modeling for pharmaceutical or biotech programs, preferred.
• APICS certification (CPIM or CSCP), SCMP, or equivalent combination of pharmaceutical supply chain experience in a GMP-regulated environment, preferred.

Personal Competencies

• A builder, not a maintainer. You are energized by ambiguity and the opportunity to create structure, not frustrated by it.
• Commercially minded. You understand that accurate costing is as important as on-time delivery in a CDMO context.
• Scientifically curious. You do not need to be a scientist but genuinely engage with the technical context of what they're planning and costing.
• Credible under pressure. You are calm, factual, and solutions-oriented when programs don't go to plan.
• Proactively communicative. You raise issues early, documents decisions, keeps stakeholders informed without being asked.
• Quality-minded. You understand that in a GMP environment, shortcuts in procurement and planning have regulatory consequences.

Working Conditions:

• Required travel between Edmonton API sites.
• This position requires you to be on site.

Additional Required Documents to Support Application

• Applications submitted without a resume AND cover letter will not be reviewed.

Perks and Benefits at API

Comprehensive Health Coverage: At API, we prioritize the well-being of our employees. We offer a comprehensive health coverage plan. Our premiums are 100% covered, ensuring that you and your dependents receive the necessary healthcare support.

Retirement Savings: API offers a RRSP Matching Program. Employees may be eligible to participate, with API matching of contributions up to 1-3% of base salary, in accordance with program terms.

Professional Development Opportunities: We foster a culture of continuous learning and growth. API provides access to various professional development opportunities, including training programs, workshops, conferences, and certifications. We encourage employees to enhance their skills, broaden their knowledge, and stay updated with the latest advancements in the life sciences industry.

Collaborative and Inclusive Environment: At API, we believe in the power of collaboration and diversity. We foster an inclusive work environment that values and respects individuals from all backgrounds. We promote teamwork, open communication, and a supportive atmosphere where everyone's contributions are valued.

Generous Paid Time Off: We understand the importance of taking time off to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance. API offers a generous paid time off (PTO) policy that includes vacation days, medical/personal days, and holidays. We encourage our employees to prioritize their well-being and enjoy quality time away from work.

Green Transit Allowance: Employees based out of an office are eligible to enroll in our green transit program, which promotes the use of environmentally friendly modes of transportation. By participating in the program, you commit to making green transit your primary mode of transportation for at least 75% of your commute to and from work. Green transit includes walking, biking, carpooling, and public transportation.

Work From Home: Eligible employees are entitled to 20 Work from Home days, this is subject to job function, company needs, and manager approval.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter expressing their interest in the position and why they believe they are a strong candidate.

We appreciate all applicants' interest and will only contact those selected for interviews.

If you have any questions about the application process or require accommodations during the hiring process, please contact careers@appliedpharma.ca.

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 in terms of 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.