About The Job
Lead end-to-end warehousing and logistics operations for our new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. This role requires establishing operational systems from the ground up, implementing regulatory-compliant processes, and building a high-performing logistics organization. You will design and execute logistics strategies that support rapid business growth while maintaining pharmaceutical quality standards. This greenfield opportunity demands both strategic planning capabilities and hands-on operational leadership in a fast-paced startup environment.
Core Responsibilities
MATERIALS FLOW AND SHIPMENTS MANAGEMENT
- Manage the complete flow of materials from supplier receipt through customer delivery. Deploy team members, equipment, and resources to establish efficient operations capable of handling high-volume throughput.
- Implement processes that optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure regulatory compliance. Establish control parameters and performance metrics focused on delivery excellence.
- Manage customs clearance and regulatory requirements for international shipments. Develop documentation systems that minimize delays and facilitate border crossings.
- Apply and hold required customs and storage licenses
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
- Ensure on-time, in-full delivery to manufacturing operations and customers through effective inventory control. Implement monitoring systems that provide real-time visibility into stock positions and enable rapid corrective action.
- Execute annual physical inventory processes with high accuracy standards. Develop systems to identify and address potential obsolescence issues.
- Create dashboards that provide visibility into stock coverage, inventory turns, and key performance metrics to support data-driven decision making.
TEAM LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT
- Build, develop, and lead a high-performing logistics team in a startup environment. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations aligned with organizational objectives.
- Create individual development plans for team members that enhance technical capabilities and leadership skills. Implement mentoring programs and cross-training initiatives to build organizational resilience.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation. Provide regular coaching and feedback to accelerate team performance and professional growth.
- Lead through ambiguity and change, helping team members navigate the evolving demands of a growing organization while maintaining focus on core deliverables.
QUALITY AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
- Develop and execute 3PL governance frameworks that include regular performance reviews, continuous improvement initiatives, and relationship-building activities. Create collaborative partnerships that drive mutual value and operational excellence.
- Establish asset management programs including preventive maintenance and calibration protocols. Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers, ensuring adherence to service level agreements and pharmaceutical quality standards.
- Lead shipping validation processes that ensure product releases meet quality standards and timeline requirements.
- Own and implement logistics related change controls
- Lead logistics related deviation investigations such as temperature excursions and damages.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies that identify and address potential operational disruptions.
WAREHOUSE PLANNING
- Develop warehouse strategies and implementation plans that address current operational needs while anticipating future growth. Identify and prioritize initiatives that support critical business requirements.
- Provide visibility into future capacity needs and translate forecasts into actionable projects with defined timelines and resource requirements. Execute warehouse optimization initiatives on schedule.
- Balance resource allocation across competing priorities to maximize efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
- Monitor and optimize operational budgets for warehouse operations and transportation. Drive cost efficiency initiatives while maintaining quality standards and service levels.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities through process improvement, technology implementation, and operational redesign.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives that enhance end-to-end supply chain performance. Develop effective working relationships with key stakeholders across manufacturing, quality, procurement, and commercial functions.
LOGISTICS IT SYSTEMS AND MASTER DATA
- Implement and optimize logistics information systems that enable tracking, documentation, and analytics. Drive system enhancements that improve execution speed and performance visibility.
- Manage logistics master data ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with governance requirements. Lead digital transformation of logistics operations.
- Be one of the SAP key users for logistics and warehousing modules
Required Qualifications
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
- Demonstrated achievement of on-time, in-full delivery performance exceeding 95% in pharmaceutical environments
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical regulations including GDP, GMP, and international shipping requirements
- Proven ability to reduce lead times while maintaining quality control standards
- Strong problem-solving skills with expertise in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions
- Strong competency in writing standard operating procedures, working instructions, and deviation investigation reports.
- Warehouse capacity planning experience with ability to anticipate needs and implement mitigation strategies
- Experience managing 3PL relationships and driving performance through effective governance
Leadership Capabilities
- Ability to build high-performance teams focused on accountability and execution
- Experience making informed decisions that balance speed with compliance requirements
- Track record leading cross-functional teams to deliver process improvements
- Commitment to continuous improvement with ability to drive teams toward performance targets
- Demonstrated success in developing and mentoring logistics professionals
- Change management expertise with ability to lead teams through ambiguity
- Strong stakeholder management skills with ability to influence across organizational boundaries
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
DELIVERY METRICS
- On-Time, In-Full Delivery: Achieve >95% performance
- Order Cycle Time: Reduce processing times through process optimization
- Warehouse Turnaround Time: Meet or exceed service level agreement commitments
COMPLIANCE AND QUALITY
- Audit Performance: Achieve minimal findings in regulatory inspections
- Deviation Response Time: Meet established timelines for investigation and resolution
- Documentation Accuracy: Maintain compliance rates exceeding regulatory requirements
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
- Warehouse Capacity Utilization: Optimize space usage without compromising efficiency or safety
- Inventory Turnover Rate: Exceed industry benchmarks
- Stock Accuracy: Maintain >99% inventory accuracy
- External Warehouse Spend: Operate within budget parameters
- Obsolescence Rate: Maintain levels below established thresholds
TEAM PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPMENT
- Employee Engagement: Achieve top-quartile engagement scores within the organization
- Training Completion: Ensure 100% completion of required technical and compliance training
- Talent Development: Implement individual development plans for all team members
- 3PL Performance: Drive continuous improvement in partner performance metrics
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Achieve positive stakeholder feedback on logistics team effectiveness
This role offers the opportunity to establish logistics operations for a growing pharmaceutical startup. The position requires operational expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to execute effectively in a demanding, fast-paced environment while building and developing a high-performing team that will shape the organization's logistics capabilities.
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