External Supply Partner Manager (m/f/d)

Daiichi Sankyo Co.; München; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Daiichi Sankyo in Munich seeks an External Supply Partner Manager to oversee external CMOs, ensure GMP compliance, and coordinate with SAP S/4HANA and IBP. The role focuses on contracts, supplier relationships, and production alignment.

You will lead supplier selection, negotiate terms, monitor KPIs, and drive continuous improvement across global supply chains. Fluency in English and German is required, with a Master’s in a related field and 3+ years’ pharma experience.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in contract manufacturing or pharma supply chain.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, regulatory compliance and analytics.

Responsibilities

• Oversee external CMOs and manufacturing contracts to meet objectives.
• Lead supplier selection, RfPs, onboarding, and negotiations.
• Monitor KPIs, audits, CAPA, and compliance using SAP analytics.
• Coordinate with QA/Regulatory and IT for data exchange and quality standards.
• Align production planning with global supply and inventory management.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Highly organized

Problem solver

Excellent communication (EN/DE)

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation abilities

Prioritization and multitasking

Education

Master’s degree in SCM / related field

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: External Supply Partner Manager (m/f/d)

Job Requisition ID: 2319

Posting Start Date: 10/9/26

At Daiichi Sankyo, we are united by a single purpose, to improve lives around the world through innovative medicines. With a legacy of innovation since 1899, a presence in more than 30 countries, and more than 19,000 employees, we are advancing breakthrough therapies in oncology, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, and immune disorders. Guided by our 2030 vision to "be an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society", we are shaping a healthier, more hopeful future for patients, their families, and society.

Purpose of the function

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled External Supply Partner Manager (m/f/d) to join our dynamic Europe SCM team. This pivotal role is responsible for managing and overseeing all operational and tactical aspects of contract manufacturing activities with external Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs). You will ensure seamless coordination between Daiichi Sankyo and our manufacturing partners to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical products that meet regulatory standards and company policies.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Contract Manufacturing Oversight

• Manage and oversee the execution of manufacturing contracts with external Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), ensuring alignment with Daiichi Sankyo’s operational objectives.
• Ensure manufacturing activities comply strictly with agreed quality standards, timelines, regulatory requirements, and corporate policies.
• Coordinate with CMOs using SAP S/4HANA production planning modules and related interfaces to plan, schedule, and track production runs, ensuring alignment with demand forecasts and supply plans.
• Collaborate with IT and system integrators to maintain and optimize the seamless data exchange between CMOs and SAP S/4HANA, ensuring real-time visibility and accurate manufacturing data flow.

2. Supplier and CMO Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong, collaborative, and transparent relationships with CMOs to ensure reliability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Lead supplier selection processes, including Requests for Proposals (RfPs), evaluation, qualification, and onboarding of new CMOs.
• Negotiate and manage contracts, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and pricing with CMOs to secure favorable, compliant, and risk-mitigated terms.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, audits, and compliance assessments of CMOs, utilizing SAP analytics and reporting capabilities to monitor KPIs and adherence to commitments.

3. Quality and Compliance Management

• Partner closely with Quality Assurance (QA) and Regulatory Affairs teams to ensure CMOs meet Daiichi Sankyo’s global GMP, quality, and compliance standards.
• Address and resolve quality issues or non-compliance findings promptly to prevent supply disruptions.
• Facilitate and monitor corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) with CMOs, ensuring documentation and follow-up within SAP workflows.

4. Production and Supply Coordination

• Work collaboratively with internal production planning, supply chain, and global supply planners to align contract manufacturing schedules with overall supply plans.
• Leverage SAP S/4HANA Advanced Planning and Scheduling (IBP) capabilities to integrate contract manufacturing activities into global supply chain strategies.
• Facilitate effective and timely communication between internal stakeholders, IT teams, and CMOs to optimize manufacturing efficiency, inventory flow, and supply continuity.

5. Cost and Inventory Management

• Monitor manufacturing costs and collaborate with Finance and Procurement teams to manage budgets, cost control initiatives, and financial reporting related to contract manufacturing.
• Use SAP Material Management (MM) and Inventory Management (IM) modules to optimize inventory levels of contract-manufactured products, balancing availability, lead times, and cost efficiency.
• Support financial reconciliation and invoice verification processes linked to contract manufacturing activities in SAP.

6. Process Improvement and Innovation

• Identify areas for process enhancements and digital transformation opportunities within contract manufacturing operations to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to implement best practices, automation, and innovative solutions in collaboration with CMOs and the IT department.
• Promote a continuous improvement culture with a focus on leveraging SAP and other digital tools to streamline manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Further Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough risk assessments related to contract manufacturing capacity, quality, supply chain disruptions, and data integrity.
• Develop, implement, and maintain mitigation plans and contingency strategies to ensure business continuity and minimize operational impact.
• Collaborate with IT and data security teams to ensure secure and compliant data exchange between Daiichi Sankyo and CMOs.

Reporting and Communication

• Generate and present regular, data-driven reports on contract manufacturing performance, including quality metrics, on-time delivery, cost analysis, and risk status, using SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and other BI tools.
• Provide timely updates and insights to management and stakeholders on manufacturing status, risks, challenges, and improvement initiatives.
• Act as a liaison between CMOs, internal stakeholders, and IT to ensure alignment on system requirements, data accuracy, and issue resolution.

Education & Experience

Education

• University degree: Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Life Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

• Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Life Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in contract manufacturing management or related pharmaceutical supply chain roles.
• Proven experience managing CMOs, supplier relationships, and contract negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, quality standards, regulatory compliance, and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Hands-on experience with SAP S/4HANA modules relevant to manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, quality management, and analytics.
• Familiarity with integrating external manufacturing partners (CMOs) with SAP S/4HANA systems and working collaboratively with IT departments for interface management.
• Skilled in vendor performance management, contract negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience with production planning, inventory management, global supply coordination, and risk management.
• Demonstrated capability in process improvements and digital transformation initiatives.

Skills and additional Requirements

• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and a proactive problem solver.
• Excellent communication skills in English and German; additional languages are a plus.
• Proficient in supply chain tools, SAP modules, Microsoft Office, and data analytics platforms.
• Flexible to work across US and Japan time zones.
• Language skills: English and German.
• Strong team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective in collaborating with stakeholders and high-performing teams.
• Skilled in problem solving and driving process improvements.
• Able to manage conflicting priorities and present convincingly.
• Customer-focused with good negotiation abilities.
• Detail-oriented while maintaining a big-picture view.

Why work with us?

Working at Daiichi Sankyo is more than just a job - it is your chance to make a difference and change patients’ lives for the better. We can only achieve this ambitious goal together. That is why we foster a culture of mutual respect and continuous learning, with a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity. Here, you will have the opportunity to grow, think boldly, and contribute your ideas. If you have a proactive mindset and passion for addressing the needs of patients, we eagerly await your application.