Senior Vice President, Manufacturing and Supply

Senior Vice President (SVP) of Manufacturing and Supply

Kyverna is a pioneering cell therapy company dedicated to engineering and developing a new class of curative living medicines for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Building upon established knowledge in Oncology, Kyverna is adapting proven CAR T technology to target pathogenic cells implicated in autoimmune conditions. Our mission is to create therapies that are selective, potent, and durable, effectively managing autoimmunity.

Kyverna is seeking an SVP of Manufacturing and Supply to join its Technical Operations organization. In this critical role, you will establish and lead the Manufacturing and Supply Chain functions, cultivating strategic partnerships with external manufacturing and supply providers while building internal capabilities to advance our pipeline and bring transformative therapies to patients with significant unmet medical needs. You will contribute to our overarching goals of navigating the future of immunology and cell engineering, embodying our core values: bring intellectual humility, elevate each other, and stay true to why.

Department: Technical Development
Location: Remote
Reports To: Chief Technology Officer

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer, you will:

• Evaluate, source, and manage a network of contract manufacturers, cell collection centers, and contract development organizations.
• Negotiate and implement key contracts for global manufacturing, procurement, and logistics management of autologous and allogeneic CAR T therapies.
• Build and lead the manufacturing and supply chain functions, overseeing relationships, technical management, contract negotiation, and oversight of external manufacturing and supply partners.
• Develop and lead the organization responsible for clinical supply, materials management, sourcing, and strategic procurement for Kyverna's cell therapy pipeline (both autologous and allogeneic).
• Recruit, hire, and mentor team members, assessing and implementing the necessary structure and capabilities for functional growth in alignment with Kyverna’s strategic expansion.
• Source and lead the evaluation of qualified organizations for critical services, materials, or products. Provide strategic input, including capital planning, capacity management, and information supporting global footprint expansion. Assist teams in developing comprehensive business cases with risk assessments, opportunities, and recommendations.
• Lead Supply and Operations planning for all Kyverna products, aggregating demand and ensuring robust, agile supply strategies.
• Act as a key member/leader for Kyverna on Joint Steering Committees (JSCs) with external supply chain partners.
• Develop and lead Business Operational Reviews for the manufacturing and supply of all Kyverna products, assessing and communicating supply chain performance and actively mitigating high-risk conditions.
• Ensure network readiness for pivotal/registrational studies and commercial launch supply activities.
• Develop and manage manufacturing and supply chain operational budgets.
• Provide scientific and technical guidance, serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for manufacturing processes and technology adoption.
• Establish and build processes for monitoring manufacturing process performance across multiple supply points, setting performance expectations and managing the team to respond to deviations.
• Implement and operate supply orchestration systems to track, trace, and manage the end-to-end patient journey, optimizing scheduling and patient experience.
• Support CMC and product development teams by collaborating on product history files, master files, site master plans, and validation plans.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of GMP/GTP regulations, guidance documents, industry standards, and trends applicable to cell therapy development and operations.
• Provide key strategic compliance best practices to projects and cross-functional teams, supporting process development, manufacturing implementation, IMPD/IND preparation, and regulatory interactions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, technology transfer, or process development, with at least 5 years in leadership roles. Prior experience in Cell Therapy Manufacturing and Supply Chain management is essential.
• Expertise in cGMP manufacturing and regulatory requirements for biopharmaceutical products and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex relationships within a CMO network.
• Demonstrated ability to design and build a manufacturing and supply function.
• Deep knowledge and experience in managing manufacturing and supply operations for clinical trial products and aseptic processes, particularly with cell therapies.
• Critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to function efficiently and independently in a dynamic environment.
• Self-motivated with a willingness to take on responsibilities beyond the initial job description.
• Proven ability to manage and advance multiple projects simultaneously, with dynamic reprioritization skills.
• Demonstrated success in leading high-performing teams.
• Creative problem-solving abilities when addressing complex situations.
• Effective communication skills with Kyverna leadership, clinical teams, pre-clinical scientists, external business partners, and regulatory authorities.
• Self-starter with strong teamwork capabilities.

The national salary range for this position is $365,000 to $400,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay for this position, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation individual education, experience, tenure, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is also eligible for bonus, benefits, and participation in the Company’s stock plan.