EU Distribution Transformation Lead (Project Manager)

ISR Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ISR Recruitment Ltd is recruiting an experienced EU Distribution Transformation Lead for a 12-month contract with hybrid working in London and across Europe. The role involves managing a major European distribution transformation, coordinating across markets, QC, regulatory, IT and external logistics providers to translate strategy into deployment plans.

The candidate will drive a complex, multi-country programme to improve service, resilience, and cost efficiency while establishing a consistent

Qualifications

• 10+ years of programme or project management experience.
• Experience delivering complex multi-country transformation programmes in pharma/life sciences.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical distribution, quality and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the integrated European implementation plan with milestones and dependencies.
• Lead country and functional impact assessments across operational, regulatory and systems domains.
• Coordinate multi-country distribution transitions and external logistics provider implementations.
• Develop and manage market cutover, readiness plans and go/no-go decisions.
• Establish programme governance, manage risks and provide progress updates to senior leadership.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, communications, and change adoption across markets.
• Oversee post-implementation hypercare and transition to BAU operations.

Skills

Programme management

Multi-country delivery

Pharma distribution knowledge

Regulatory & quality awareness

Stakeholder management

SAP hands-on (order-to-cash)

Tools

SAP

Job description

• Contract: 12 months
• Client: Global Pharmaceutical Organisation
• Working Arrangements: Hybrid-Working (London + WFH), with travel across Europe as and when required

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced EU Distribution Transformation Lead to manage the implementation of a major European distribution transformation programme throughout 2027.

Working with senior stakeholders across European markets, global supply chain, quality, regulatory, finance, procurement, IT and external logistics providers, you will translate the agreed distribution strategy into executable country deployment plans.

The programme aims to improve service, strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce logistics costs and transportation miles, and establish a more consistent European operating model.

Role and Responsibilities

• Own and manage the integrated European implementation plan, including market sequencing, milestones, dependencies, resources and critical path.
• Lead country and functional impact assessments, identifying operational, regulatory, quality, systems and business-continuity requirements.
• Coordinate multi-country distribution transitions and external logistics provider/supplier implementations.
• Develop and manage market cutover, transition and operational readiness plans, including rehearsals, go/no-go decisions and contingency arrangements.
• Establish programme governance, manage risks and dependencies, and provide clear progress updates and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, communications, training and change adoption across European markets.
• Oversee post-implementation hypercare, performance tracking and transition into business-as-usual operations.

Skills and Experience

• 10+ years' programme or project management experience, ideally within pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or life sciences supply chain and distribution.
• Proven delivery of complex, multi-country transformation or operational deployment programmes across Europe.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical distribution, logistics, quality, regulatory requirements and supply continuity.
• Experience managing supplier transitions, operating-model implementation, cutover and operational readiness.
• Ability to coordinate multiple functions, markets and external partners, balancing strategic objectives with detailed delivery.
• Experience of SAP-enabled order-to-cash, warehouse, logistics or master-data processes is advantageous.