Devin Gunasekara
Boston,MA
Summary
Strategic sourcing leader with over 14 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Specializes in supporting late-stage clinical portfolios and high-growth environments. Proven track record in developing end-to-end sourcing strategies for R&D and commercial categories, with a focus on vendor selection, contract negotiation, and cost optimization. Recognized for providing strategic input into long-range planning, budgeting, and forecasting. Collaborates effectively across finance, FP&A, and functional teams to align sourcing decisions with broader business and compliance objectives. Possesses strong financial acumen, vendor governance skills, and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. Skilled at constructing scalable sourcing frameworks that enhance operational excellence and deliver measurable impact.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director, Global Strategic Sourcing
Alexion, Astra Zeneca Rare Disease
10.2020 - Current
- Primary business partner for U.S., global commercial and medical affairs organizations supporting key brands: ULTOMIRIS, SOLIRIS, SRENSIQ, KOSELUQ & KANUMA.
- Fully accountable for end-to-end sourcing, procurement, and operations across marketing, commercial operations & effectiveness, market access, patient services, medical affairs, business strategy & governance.
- Oversaw cross functional spend exceeding $500M, ensuring strategic alignment and operational efficiency.
- Consistently outperformed savings targets, achieving 325% of annual goal through innovative sourcing strategies and supplier negotiations.
- Redesigned and restructured the support model for U.S. and global medical affairs organizations, significantly improving service delivery and alignment.
- Sourcing lead for U.S. commercial integration with AstraZeneca. Delivered 12 months ahead of schedule, accelerating synergy capture.
- Sustainability lead for the U.S. and global commercial functions, actively driving initiatives toward the organization’s carbon neutrality goal by 2030.
- Member of U.S. & global sourcing leadership team, contributing to enterprise-level procurement strategy, execution and governance.
Senior Manager, Marketing Operations & Launch Lead
Epizyme Inc. - Acquired by Ipsen
05.2019 - 09.2020
- Served as the corporate launch operations and execution lead for TAZVERIK in both Epithelioid Sarcoma and relapsed/refractory Follicular Lymphoma indications.
- Directed a cross-functional team representing all company functions to develop a comprehensive, company-wide launch playbook and execution plan, ensuring alignment and readiness.
- Led the creation and implementation of a PDUFA action plan encompassing all launch-related deliverables within the critical first 14 days post-approval.
- Designed and facilitated three mock launch workshops to drive launch readiness and executional excellence across teams.
- Successfully completed all launch operations and deliverables within five business days of PDUFA, meeting aggressive timelines without compromising quality of launch.
- Held the role of Head of Marketing Operations, instituting a streamlined promotional review process, including SOP development and system implementation.
- Acted as the strategic lead for major U.S. medical conferences (ASH, ASCO, etc.), managing end-to-end conference planning and execution.
- Oversaw speaker bureau management and strategic operations, ensuring alignment with brand and commercial objectives.
- Maintained strict budget discipline, successfully managing the marketing team budget within a 5% variance.
Senior Manager, Portfolio Strategy - US Hematology
Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc.
03.2018 - 01.2019
- Directed strategic and tactical planning for professional and patient education across the U.S. Hematology franchise, encompassing seven brands.
- Oversaw a network of 20 patient ambassadors supporting five products and managed over 200 customer-facing programs annually.
- Developed and executed a competitive readiness strategy to enhance patient and healthcare provider (HCP) peer-to-peer engagements.
- Collaborated closely with brand leads to drive content development and strategic direction for patient and HCP ambassador initiatives.
- Served as finance and contract lead, managing a $10M budget with full responsibility for monthly reporting and financial close-out processes.
- Led a comprehensive operating expense review across seven brands, achieving over $2M in cost savings through process optimization.
- Directed HCP and key opinion leader (KOL) capacity management and strategic planning at both U.S. and global levels.
- Served as the U.S. HCP engagement franchise lead, delivering cross-functional strategies, resolving challenges, and implementing process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
Associate Director
FluidEdge Life Sciences
02.2017 - 11.2017
- Led a cross-functional team integrating Shire and Baxalta patient services operations to design and launch a high-touch patient services pilot program, resulting in the creation of a new role—Reimbursement Access Manager (RAM).
- Successfully deployed the pilot across seven U.S. territories, which has since been adopted as a standard service within the patient services franchise.
- Partnered with senior leadership to refine internal marketing, business development, and corporate strategies, driving alignment and growth.
- Streamlined recruiting and onboarding processes to foster a dynamic, inclusive corporate culture.
- Served as a core team member managing vendor RFPs, leading sourcing negotiations, and vendor selection to optimize service delivery and cost-efficiency.
Senior Consultant
Polaris Management Partners
03.2016 - 11.2016
- Marketing and business development co-lead for New England.
- Led multiple compliance needs & risk assessment projects for emerging biotech companies.
- Completed multiple FMV methodology implementation projects and provided recommendations for change management.
- Evaluated existing business processes, recommending improvements that led to increased operational efficiency.
- Mentored junior consultants, helping them enhance their skills and contribute more effectively to projects.
Senior Project Manager
Pursuit Solutions – Onsite at Client (Genzyme, Acquired by Sanofi)
01.2012 - 03.2016
- Roles increasing in responsibility and scope within procurement, P2P systems, project management and FP&A (2012-2016).
- Strategic partner for U.S Commercial organization (Multiple Sclerosis).
Education
Political Science
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Amherst, MASkills
- Strategic sourcing & vendor management
- Financial planning & analysis
- Cost management & optimization
- Contract negotiation & compliance
- Spend analysis & procurement analytics
- Budget development & oversight
- Risk management
- ERP & procurement systems
- Supplier and stakeholder performance & relationship management
- Cross functional business partnering
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Sinhalese
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Associate Director, Global Strategic Sourcing
Alexion, Astra Zeneca Rare Disease
10.2020 - Current
Senior Manager, Marketing Operations & Launch Lead
Epizyme Inc. - Acquired by Ipsen
05.2019 - 09.2020
Senior Manager, Portfolio Strategy - US Hematology
Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc.
03.2018 - 01.2019
Associate Director
FluidEdge Life Sciences
02.2017 - 11.2017
Senior Consultant
Polaris Management Partners
03.2016 - 11.2016
Senior Project Manager
Pursuit Solutions – Onsite at Client (Genzyme, Acquired by Sanofi)
01.2012 - 03.2016
Political Science
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Commercial Products:
- ULTOMIRIS
- SOLIRIS
- STRENSIQ
- KOSELUQ
- KANUMA
- TAZVERIK
- ADVATE
- ADYNOVATE
- FEIBA
- OBIZUR
- RIXUBIS
- VONVENDI
- LEMTRADA
- AUBAGIO
- LANTUS
- APIDRA
Indication Experience:
- Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS)
- General Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)
- Hypophosphatasia (HPP)
- Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency (LAL-D)
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Plexiform Neurofibromas (NF1 PN)
- Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)
- R/R Follicular Lymphoma
- Epithelioid Sarcoma
- Hematology (Blood and Bleeding Disorders)
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Diabetes
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