Director, Supply & Demand Chain

On behalf of our client, a global pharmaceutical manufacturing organisation, we are seeking an experienced Director, Supply & Demand Chain to lead a large, multidisciplinary supply chain function within a UK-based global manufacturing operation.

This is a senior, high-impact leadership role with responsibility for ensuring reliable, compliant, and agile supply of medicines to global markets across EMEA, Asia, China, Japan, and emerging regions.

As a key member of the Manufacturing Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across supply chain management, demand planning, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain systems.

You will ensure factory demand is accurately derived and aligned with stock policies, while driving efficiency, resilience, and responsiveness in a complex global supply network.

The role also acts as the primary interface between manufacturing and commercial organisations, ensuring alignment between market demand and production capability.

• Lead and develop multi-disciplinary teams across Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Logistics, Warehousing, and Supply Chain Systems (ERP, Serialisation, Planning)
• Own end-to-end sales & demand planning, capacity-constrained production planning, and inventory strategy
• Sponsor and deliver strategic projects including ERP (SAP), serialisation, business transformation, and new product introductions
• Define and execute global supply strategies that meet quality, regulatory, fiscal, and legislative requirements
• Provide strategic oversight and governance of key suppliers, CMOs, logistics and distribution partners
• Ensure full compliance with GMP, GDP, GxP, international trade regulations, and INCOTERMS
• Lead risk management and business continuity planning, including response to geopolitical disruption, sanctions, tariffs, and supply shocks
• Define, monitor, and improve supply chain KPIs (service level, OTIF, inventory, cost, resilience)
• Manage budgets, headcount, cost of goods (CoGs), and contribute to carbon footprint reduction and sustainability goals
• Represent the manufacturing organisation at senior EMEA and global forums

• Senior leadership experience in pharmaceutical or life sciences supply chains
• Proven track record leading complex, global supply chain organisations
• Deep expertise in demand planning, logistics, warehousing, ERP/SAP, serialisation, and global trade
• Strong understanding of GDP/GMP, regulatory compliance, intercompany supply, and risk mitigation
• Experience managing CMOs, strategic suppliers, and third-party logistics providers
• Data-driven leader with strong capability in KPI design, performance management, and continuous improvement
• Confident senior stakeholder manager, able to influence at executive and C-suite level

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related discipline
• Extensive senior-level experience within pharma or regulated manufacturing environments

• Visionary, inclusive leader with strong coaching and talent development capability
• Proven change leader, able to drive adoption of new processes and technologies
• Commercially astute, resilient, and calm under pressure
• Strong negotiator with experience in vendor, contract, and budget management
• Values-led, with a strong commitment to quality, patient safety, sustainability, and ESG

This role offers the opportunity to shape global supply strategy, lead large-scale transformation, and play a critical role in ensuring patients worldwide have reliable access to life-changing medicines — all within a values-driven, inclusive culture.