Senior Director, Global Packaging Category Head

Teva Pharmaceuticals; Harlow; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company seeks an experienced Global Packaging Category Head. This senior role is responsible for developing long-term strategies for sustainable packaging solutions and steering supplier innovation. With at least 8 years of procurement experience, candidates should excel in stakeholder management and have a strong understanding of packaging technologies. Location is in the United Kingdom, and the role involves leading a team and influencing executive strategy. Join to make a significant impact in patient medicine delivery.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of procurement experience in complex, global environments.
• Experience in big pharma or FMCG industries is a strong advantage.
• Familiar with packaging technologies and materials.

Responsibilities

• Define long-term category strategy for packaging.
• Champion adoption of new procurement tools and technologies.
• Shape initiatives to meet global sustainability commitments.
• Influence product launches and supply continuity.
• Manage P&L alignment and spend savings.
• Lead a team of 7fte for effective coordination.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Change management

Risk management

Digital transformation

Education

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

Job description

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, Supply Chain, 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

Enjoy a more rewarding choice

Make a difference with Teva Pharmaceuticals