Manager, R&D Business Operations

ICON plc

. Create, generate, and manage purchase orders in Ariba/SAP following full contract execution .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeRemote • North Carolina • United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing purchase orders and financial operations within Ariba and SAP, ensuring compliance with procurement procedures and financial controls. Proficient in analyzing contract terms and translating them into operational requirements while supporting cross-functional collaboration and process improvements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Purchase Order ManagementAriba/SAP ExpertiseProcure-To-Pay (P2P) ProcessesFinancial AnalysisRegulatory Compliance in Pharmaceutical/Biotech

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Purchase Order CreationFinancial ReconciliationBudget TrackingInvoice MatchingAccrual ValidationProcess ImprovementData ReportingContract InterpretationChange Order ProcessingFunding Allocation

Soft Skills

Strong Analytical SkillsOrganizational SkillsAttention to DetailCross-Functional CollaborationEffective Communication

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeSAPAriba

Industry Keywords

Pharmaceutical OperationsBiotech OperationsProcurement OperationsContract ManagementFinancial Controls

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Create, generate, and manage purchase orders in Ariba/SAP following full contract execution
Translate contractual payment terms, milestones, and fee structures into accurate purchase order structures
Review executed agreements for financial setup, funding allocations, payment schedules, and budget tracking
Process change orders, PO amendments, closures, and funding adjustments
Partner with R&D, Finance, and Strategic Sourcing to resolve system or budget discrepancies
Monitor PO lifecycle activities, including invoice matching, goods receipt confirmations, accrual support, and PO reconciliation
Ensure compliance with financial controls, delegation of authority policies, and procurement procedures
Serve as system subject matter expert for Ariba/SAP purchase order workflows
Train business partners on purchase requisition and PO processes
Facilitate operational status meetings related to PO issuance, budget tracking, and financial metrics
Generate reports and dashboards for PO cycle times, open commitments, spend against budget, and operational KPIs
Support month-end and year-end close activities, including accrual validation and financial reconciliation
Identify and implement process improvements
Support audit requests and compliance reviews related to procurement and purchase order activities

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
Minimum 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical/biotech business operations, procurement operations, finance operations, or contract-to-PO management
Demonstrated experience creating and managing purchase orders within enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba)
Strong understanding of procure-to-pay (P2P) processes, including requisitioning, PO generation, invoice matching, and accruals
Experience working cross-functionally with R&D, Finance, Strategic Sourcing, Legal, and Accounts Payable
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret contract financial terms and translate them into operational system requirements
Working knowledge of pharmaceutical/biotech regulatory and compliance considerations impacting vendor payments and financial controls
Ability to identify financial discrepancies or operational risks and escalate appropriately
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple purchase orders, vendors, and deadlines simultaneously
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with strong Excel skills for financial tracking and reporting
Experience supporting internal or external audits related to procurement or financial operations
Strong attention to detail and ability to interpret and apply company financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
Legal right to work in the country where the role is based

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive base salary and performance related incentives
Health and wellbeing programmes including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable
Retirement and pension plans
Life assurance and disability coverage
Employee assistance programmes and wellbeing resources
Learning and development opportunities through structured training and career pathways