About Kamau Therapeutics, Inc.

Kamau Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech founded by a deeply collaborative team of hematologist-oncologists and engineers. We are pioneering a precision homology-directed repair (HDR) gene editing platform to create definitive autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapies. Our mission begins with our lead program: a first- and best-in-class curative treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD). This program now serves as our powerful proof point, establishing a core competence in site-specific genome editing of HSCs. We are next leveraging this mastery to engineer myeloid and lymphoid lineages, fueling a growing pipeline of next-generation therapies for cancer immunotherapy, autoimmune disease, and neurodegeneration. We operate with a high-impact, collaborative spirit, focused on redefining the speed and reach of therapeutic development.

Role Summary

This role drives sourcing, contracting, and securing supply of the critical raw materials our clinical manufacturing program depends on. It coordinates lead times and supply with external partners (CDMO) and internal dependencies (PD, QC, etc.) so that materials are available on time, and it stands up the systems needed to manage a growing materials portfolio as the organization scales. Supply Chain collaborates closely with Manufacturing, Quality and Analytical Development to ensure smooth alignment across raw material release and supplier qualification and approval. Agreements for critical gene-editing reagents run against long vendor lead times that gate material availability, so this role has immediate, visible leverage on the program.

This is a ‘roll-up-your-sleeves’ role for a builder who thrives in a fast-paced, unstructured, and highly collaborative startup environment. The ideal candidate approaches work with curiosity, humility, and a growth mindset, taking initiative and contributing across functions and levels. At Kamau, we’re building a mission-driven culture where scientific rigor, creativity, and collaboration power both personal and company growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing and negotiation of commercial agreements, and support execution of supply, quality, and technical agreements (MSAs, QTAs, and SOWs) for critical GMP reagents, prioritizing long-lead gene-editing materials.
• Support qualification and own supply of critical components and reagents across the process, including gene-editing nuclease, guide RNA, viral vector, cytokines, culture media and supplements, cryopreservation solution, and human-derived materials.
• Drive the raw-material qualification and release-specification process, and tier ancillary materials per the USP risk-based framework.
• Identify and develop second sources for single-sourced critical materials, and support vendor change control and vendor-initiated changes affecting critical materials.
• Own procurement, inventory management and supply chain logistics for critical materials to ensure compliant, traceable, and uninterrupted supply, and coordinate lead times and supply with all external partners (CDMO) and internal dependencies (PD, QC, etc.) to ensure materials are available on time.
• Manage single-use and consumable supply tied to the closed-system equipment platforms used in manufacturing, including tubing sets, bag sets, processing assemblies, culture vessels, and cryopreservation containers.
• Build phase-based demand plans and run sales-and-operations planning for GMP materials as volumes scale from clinical through commercial supply, accounting for the patient-specific scheduling demands of an autologous product.
• Negotiate volume-tiered pricing, yield-linked terms, and capacity commitments, and run a regular business review cadence with the CDMO and key suppliers.
• Support supplier quality audits and vendor accountability and bill-of-materials cost reduction as the process locks.
• Maintain Master File references, Certificates of Analysis, and TSE/BSE and animal- or human-origin documentation for materials feeding regulatory submissions, and support raw-material sections of CMC documentation.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and external partners, working in a shared and flexible manner, to ensure smooth alignment across raw material release, supplier qualification and approval, specifications and test methods, commercial terms, and supply and inventory needs for development, clinical, and commercial manufacturing.
• Build the internal systems, tracking, and documentation needed to manage a growing raw-materials portfolio as the CMC organization scales, run category-level sourcing strategy and gate reviews across reagent workstreams, and maintain compliance with company SOPs.

Required Qualifications

• BS in a relevant scientific, engineering, or supply-chain discipline, with 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain within biotech or pharma; level and title will be set to match experience.
• Direct experience negotiating and executing MSAs and QTAs for GMP raw materials.
• Familiarity with supplier quality audits, vendor qualification, Master File referencing, and supplier Certificate of Analysis review.
• Working knowledge of USP ancillary-material risk tiering or equivalent raw-material risk frameworks.
• Experience with demand planning and sales-and-operations planning for GMP materials, and with ERP or equivalent inventory management systems.
• Experience managing cold-chain and GDP-compliant logistics for temperature-sensitive materials.
• The ideal candidate will maintain an active pulse of end-to-end supply chain inventory, ensuring optimal stock levels, high forecast accuracy, and seamless cross-functional alignment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in cell or gene therapy, and familiarity with oligonucleotide, viral vector, or gene-editing reagent supply chains.
• Experience sourcing high-value, long-lead, or single-source GMP materials (e.g., biologics, viral vectors, or cell and gene therapy inputs); oligonucleotide or gene-editing reagent experience is a plus but not expected.
• Working literacy in the analytics used to specify and release oligonucleotide and vector materials, enough to hold a technical conversation about release specification.
• Experience building a supply chain function from the ground up in a startup environment.

The Right Candidate Will

• Be a high-agency, do-what-it-takes contributor. You don’t wait for instructions; you identify the critical path, flag risks, and build solutions.
• Be relentlessly output-focused. You are driven by delivering a robust, scalable process, not by ‘doing tasks or process’ for its own sake.
• Be a fluid and pragmatic collaborator. You understand that in a small company, titles are secondary to the mission. You are eager to contribute across functions and levels.

Compensation

The expected base salary range for this position is $150,000–$225,000, depending on whether the role is filled at the Senior Manager or Associate Director level.

Actual compensation will depend on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. This position is also eligible for an annual target bonus and equity in the form of stock options.

In addition to base salary and equity, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program including health, dental, and vision coverage, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

Work Requirements

The role is based in South San Francisco and/or Redwood Shores, CA. It requires five days per week onsite and involves periodic travel within the US to CDMOs to support project demands. This role is primarily performed in an office environment, with periodic time in laboratory and GMP manufacturing areas requiring gowning and appropriate personal protective equipment.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kamau Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law, and we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Additional Information

Employment is contingent on a background check conducted only after a conditional offer. Consistent with the California Fair Chance Act, we consider qualified applicants with criminal histories and conduct an individualized assessment of any conviction history. Kamau Therapeutics participates in E-Verify. See our Applicant Privacy Notice.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications associated with the role.

Recruiter Policy

Kamau does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Services Agreement, Kamau will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee.

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