Senior External Manufacturing Lead

LEO PHARMA A/S; Ballerup; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

LEO Pharma A/S seeks an experienced professional to own external high-value supply chains for custom products, working with CMOs and cross-functional partners in a global setting.

You will lead supply chain execution, negotiate with external partners, and ensure quality, compliance, and cost targets while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in supplier relationship management within a global pharma context.
• Ability to work across cross-functional supply chains and functions.
• Proven track record in strategic sourcing, contract manufacturing, and CMOs.

Responsibilities

• Manage external high-value supply chains with contract manufacturers.
• Lead cross-functional supply chain execution teams (Quality, Regulatory, Planning, Procurement).
• Ensure compliant supply, quality, and cost through partnerships and continuous improvements.
• Escalate to senior management as needed and drive risk management.

Skills

Supplier relationship mgmt

Global context

Cross-functional coordination

Pharma manufacturing

Stakeholder communication

Education

MSc or related field

Job description

Field of work: Engineering & Manufacturing

Posting Date: 26 Aug 2026

Application deadline: September 20th, 2026
Location: Ballerup 2750, Denmark, Denmark
Contract type: Permanent
Job ID: 4803

Shape the future of manufacturing at LEO Pharma and make a global impact. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with emerging technologies and high profile products that are at the core of LEO Pharma’s strategy.

You will be part of a dedicated and highly skilled External Manufacturing team based in Ballerup, Denmark. Our team collaborates across functions, including Pharmaceutical Development, Supply Chain, Procurement, Commercial, Global Quality, and Regulatory, to deliver strategic projects and products that drive LEO Pharma’s success. We value teamwork, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence. The external manufacturing is a significantly growing area in LEO Pharma with many exciting projects in progress.

Your role

You will be accountable for external high value supply chains of custom made products from our external partners that are critical to LEO Pharma’s supply to market. You will work across functions and with external partners to ensure robust compliant supply, at the right quality and cost, driving continuous improvements, and building strong partnerships.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring uninterrupted product supply and effectively manage strategic relationships and activities to gain the highest possible value from our contract manufacturing partners (CMOs) through continuous improvement work.
• Lead cross-functional supply chain execution teams (Technical, Quality, Regulatory, Planning, Procurement, Finance).
• Ensure a smooth transition of supply chain accountability from our project managers to commercial supply.
• Ensure complaints, deviations and change controls in compliance with GxP and regulatory filings are managed.
• Risk management.
• Negotiate with external partners and represent LEO Pharma in strategic collaborations.
• Supply chain strategy for the relevant portfolio.
• Primary representative for escalations to senior management for relevant portfolio.

In addition to these tasks, you will contribute to the continuous optimisation and standardisation of department processes, ensuring excellence in execution.

Your qualifications

We are looking for an experienced supplier relationship manager who has worked in a global context and interacted with stakeholders at all levels. Someone who can bring knowledge of manufacturing in Pharma and navigate in complex, cross-functional supply chains.

Your background:

• University degree or Master of Science, Engineering, or Business related field with minimum 10 years’ relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Solid business acumen and significant experience of a pharmaceutical production and supply chain.
• Experience working within a cGMP, quality and highly regulated environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, global, cross-functional initiatives, with or without direct reports.
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Able to build respectful, trusting relationships across cultures, functions, and organisational levels.
• Problem solving capability, can effectively resolve issues in a collaborative and effective manner.
• Knowledge and experience in Biologics manufacturing is a benefit.

You will thrive in this roleif you are looking for a challenging position that offers broad collaboration and alignment focus, dynamic environment where adapting to change is needed and embark on an innovative journey with us.

Contact and application

For additional information, please contact hiring manager Senior Director External manufacturing, Kristina Kölerud at

You do not need to upload a cover letter, but feel free to add a few sentences in your resume or CV on why this position has your interest.

Beyond the skin

Join LEO Pharma, a global leader in medical dermatology, as we go beyond the skin to make a lasting impact. Our innovative approach sets us apart. We are dedicated to leaving a legacy that positively impacts patients, colleagues, and our planet.

At LEO Pharma, we believe in the power of individuals to drive change. Our flat organizational structure empowers you to make a visible impact and offers versatile roles for professional growth. We value diversity and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, recognizing that our different perspectives, backgrounds, and attitudes enable us to make the best decisions. Join our passionate team at LEO Pharma and be yourself as we work together to make a difference.

For certain positions, LEO Pharma might complete a background check conducted by a third party.

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