Supply Chain Manager

The role

This role is a client-facing Supply Chain position focused on full ownership of supply chain operations within a regulated environment (primarily pharma or similar). It combines relationship management with hands on operational execution.

Key Responsibilities Client Facing Supply Chain Ownership

Act as the primary Supply Chain contact for a portfolio of clients, ensuring a consistent, high quality, and responsive client experience across all interactions. Lead and support client calls, including presenting updates, explaining operational decisions, and proactively proposing solutions with clarity and confidence. Build and maintain strong, trust based client relationships through proactive communication, reliability, and end to end ownership of service delivery performance. Translate operational complexity into clear, client friendly communication, especially during escalations or service disruptions.

Operational Execution (Storage & Distribution)

Coordinate end to end shipment execution and storage activities, including products with strict handling requirements (e.g., temperature controlled, time critical, or high risk shipments). Ensure shipments are executed in alignment with defined requirements including lane selection, packaging, temperature range, route risk, lead time, and monitoring requirements. Support decision making around shipping strategies, including courier selection, service level optimisation, and risk mitigation planning. Actively monitor shipment performance and intervene where needed to protect service levels and compliance standards.

End to End Client Supply Chain Management (E2E Ownership)

Experience managing elements of an end to end supply chain (planning through execution), ideally in a client service or outsourced supply chain environment. Exposure to monthly planning and execution cycles such as S&OP and/or S&OE, including demand/supply review participation, constraint identification, and action tracking. Contribute to aligning demand, supply, and logistics execution to ensure service continuity and customer satisfaction.

Quality & Compliance (Regulated Environment)

Participate in and/or lead Supply Chain deviation investigations, including documentation, root cause analysis, and CAPA implementation where applicable. Manage Change Controls impacting Supply Chain activities (e.g., courier changes, lane changes, packaging or process modifications). Ensure compliance with internal procedures and applicable regulatory expectations, including Good Distribution Practice (GDP) requirements and documented quality systems. Ensure audit readiness through accurate documentation and adherence to controlled processes.

Vendor & Contract Management

Uphold Supply Chain related contracts and service terms, including SLA adherence, scope of services, and pricing/rate cards. Monitor courier and warehouse performance through KPI reporting, trend analysis, and service reviews; identify issues and drive corrective actions. Support vendor relationship management through structured governance routines and continuous improvement initiatives. Escalate and/or resolve vendor performance issues in a structured and timely manner.

Process Excellence & Documentation

Create, update, and maintain SOPs and Work Instructions related to Supply Chain operations and client workflows. Contribute to process improvement initiatives aimed at reducing deviations, improving service levels, and increasing scalability. Support internal standardisation across client operations, including templates, checklists, and documented workflows. Drive simplification and consistency across operational processes.

Required Experience & Qualifications

3-5 years of Supply Chain experience in the pharmaceutical industry, OR 4-6 years in another regulated or complex environment (e.g., medical devices, biotech, FMCG with strict quality requirements, aerospace, etc.). Proven experience operating in a regulated environment with strong adherence to documented procedures and quality systems. Demonstrated experience working directly with clients/customers, including handling structured calls, updates, escalations, and issue resolution.

Technical & Functional Knowledge

Experience managing shipments/storage with defined handling parameters, including temperature controlled logistics (ambient, refrigerated, frozen where applicable), time critical shipments and special handling requirements, packaging coordination and monitoring solutions. Strong understanding of Incoterms and their impact on ownership, risk transfer, and responsibility; shipping rates, lane structures, and courier service levels; vendor contracts, SLAs, and performance KPI frameworks. Working knowledge of supply chain execution systems (e.g., ERP/WMS/TMS platforms such as SAP or equivalent).

Core Competencies & Experience

Client oriented with the ability to build trust quickly and represent Supply Chain externally. Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to connect operational, commercial, and compliance considerations. Solutions oriented mindset, focused on options, trade offs, and practical execution decisions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly under pressure or during escalations. Experience with deviations, change control, CAPA, or quality systems aligned to distribution operations. Exposure to GDP/GxP environments and audit processes. Experience with vendor governance frameworks and performance scorecards.

Working Environment

Flexible work arrangement with possibility of remote work and hybrid working philosophy; some face to face meetings may be required in other locations. Flexibility to adapt to client time zones and shifting responsibilities beyond typical 9 to 5 hours.

Uniphar is an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate and welcome all responses.