Senior Director, Global Packaging Category Head

Tevapharm; Harlow; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A major pharmaceutical company in Harlow is seeking a Senior Director, Global Packaging Category Head. You will lead strategic initiatives for innovative and sustainable packaging, influence senior stakeholders, and drive digital transformation in procurement. The ideal candidate will possess substantial experience in procurement, particularly within the pharmaceutical or FMCG sectors, and demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills. This role provides an opportunity to make a significant impact in a senior leadership position.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of Procurement experience, preferably in pharma or FMCG.
• Experience leading packaging in a complex global environment.
• Strong understanding of packaging technologies and trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead category transformation towards innovative packaging solutions.
• Drive technological innovation across the packaging value chain.
• Influence senior stakeholders on product launches and supply continuity.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Digital transformation

Change management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Chemistry/Biology

Tools

Digital procurement tools

Analytics platforms

Job description

Senior Director, Global Packaging Category Head

Date: Jan 22, 2026

Location: Harlow, United Kingdom, 00

Job Id: 66059

The opportunity

As the Global Packaging Category Head, you will take responsibility for one of the organisation’s most strategically significant spend categories. In this position, you will have the opportunity to shape how medicines are delivered to patients, advance global sustainability objectives, and drive category transformation by developing long-term strategies. This includes overseeing the transition from conventional materials and processes to innovative, patient-focused, and environmentally sustainable solutions.

It is a highly visible, senior leadership role requiring the ability to influence at executive levels, drive complex cross‑functional change, and orchestrate global category strategies across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, R&D, Quality, Commercial, Regulatory, Portfolio, and Finance. You will act as a thought leader in technology, sustainability, and supplier innovation, steering Teva’s packaging strategy toward future‑ready solutions.

Location: The role can be carried out from any Teva EU location except France and Switzerland.

We are looking for a seasoned procurement leader with a global mindset, exceptional stakeholder management capability, and the strategic depth required to transform a mission‑critical category in a complex, multinational environment.

How you’ll spend your day

• Lead a category transformation – you will define the long-term category strategy and lead the shift toward smarter, greener and more resilient packaging solutions
• Drive digital and technological innovation – you will champion the adoption of new tools, data driven decision making and advanced technologies across the packaging value chain
• Deliver meaningful sustainability impact – you will shape initiatives that will ensure we meet global environmental commitments
• Influence at executive level – you will work closely with senior stakeholders across Manufacturing, R&D, Quality, Portfolio, Commercial, Regulatory. Your insights will directly influence product launches, supply continuity, cost competitiveness and patient experience
• Build a high-performing global supplier network – you will lead strategic supplier partnerships, drive innovation pipelines and ensure resilience and quality of our global packaging supply base
• Drive value creation initiatives, identify cross-functional synergies, and contribute to continuous improvement in procurement processes by challenging the status quo.
• Manage P&L alignment and Spend savings, developing strategic plans to reduce total cost of ownership.
• Strategically oversee the interconnected risks between business operations and procurement activities, ensuring a proactive and unified approach to risk mitigation across the organization.
• Persistently refine and optimize the interplay of business processes between procurement and different business functions, focusing on fostering seamless collaboration and maximizing efficiency in all procurement-related activities.
• Directly manage a team of 7fte that enables effective coordination and partnership with business stakeholders, ensuring alignment and collaboration across business functions

Your experience and qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree: Business, Supply Chain/ Procurement, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Chemistry/Biology or like degree
• Procurement experience: 8+ years of Procurement
• Experience in the big pharma or FMCG industries is a strong advantage
• Proven experience leading packaging or related categories in a complex, global environment
• Strong understanding of packaging technologies, materials, and industry trends
• Experience implementing digital procurement tools, advanced analytics, or AI‑enabled decision‑making
• Demonstrated ability to drive digital transformation and adopt new technologies
• Strategic thinker with a track record of delivering category transformation
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior levels
• Strong change‑management skills, with the ability to bring teams along on a digital and sustainability journey
• Understanding of risk management, supply‑chain resilience, and dual‑sourcing strategies
• Exposure to data‑driven supplier performance management or digital supplier collaboration platforms
• Understanding of regulatory requirements across major markets (EU, US, APAC) for pharmaceutical packaging
• Familiarity with quality systems, GMP environments, and supplier audits
• Familiarity with packaging automation, Industry 4.0, and digital manufacturing environments
• Track record of leading innovation partnerships with suppliers

Reports To

VP Direct Procurement

Teva’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment

Teva Pharmaceuticals is committed to equal opportunity in employment. It is Teva's global policy that equal employment opportunity be provided without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, veteran status, national or ethnic origin or any other legally recognized status entitled to protection under applicable laws. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to support you throughout the recruitment and selection process. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.