Supply Chain & Inventory Manager - Medical Cannabis Industry

ZipRecruiter; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job description

Job Description

Supply Chain and Inventory Manager

Medical Cannabis Industry / Pharmaceutical Distribution

Old Street, London

The company requires the successful candidate for this role to ordinarily be at the office five days a week, although the company allows flexibility when required.

Industry Context

Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018, with over 50,000 patients currently prescribed medical cannabis through private clinics. These numbers are consistently growing. Over 99% of prescribed medical cannabis products in the UK are imported by distributors and sold to private clinics for patient prescriptions.

Company Overview

Our client, founded in 2023, is an innovative and upcoming medical cannabis importer, distributor, and wholesaler in the UK. Established by a team of experienced founders with extensive experience and a proven track record in the medicinal cannabis space, including importing and distributing medical cannabis, their mission is to become a leading, reliable, and trusted partner for UK healthcare organizations whose patients can benefit from medicinal cannabis. They will import medical cannabis-based medicines from around the world and distribute them to private clinics and pharmacies in the UK that are already prescribing medical cannabis and to the existing pharmacies supplying the private healthcare sector who now want to add medicinal cannabis to their formularies.

As the company is in its early stages, it seeks individuals eager to be part of an empowered, motivated, and cohesive team building something that can have a significant and positive impact on people’s lives. An ideal candidate will be motivated by the opportunity to be hands-on and by the chance to continuously improve systems now and as the business evolves, whilst embodying a disciplined, collaborative, and systematic approach.

Job Summary

Having recently hired a Quality Manager, the client is now looking to hire a Supply Chain and Inventory Manager to join the team. The Supply Chain and Inventory Manager will be responsible for creating a clear supply chain and stock plan to match expected customer demand. This includes executing all operational activities related to the successful and compliant movement and storage of medical products, covering everything from operational production planning with suppliers all the way through to final supply to customers.

The role involves overseeing all aspects of procurement of products to meet forecast demand, coordinating the paperwork and regulatory approvals required to move product and project management of all supply chain and inventory matters. A key responsibility is to develop an order schedule to match demand from customers to ensure demand is met and stock shortages are avoided.

This position requires a deep understanding of the import, distribution and supply chain process, a strong ability to assess expected demand from clinic and pharmacy partners, and excellent organizational and communication skills. You will also be responsible for managing multiple consignments at any given time, ensuring smooth supply chain operations.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain Management

• Manage all activities related to the import, storage, and distribution of goods, ensuring regulatory compliance. You will not be expected to find new suppliers, but once the supplier has been confirmed, it will be your job to build a stable supply chain from that supplier to your customers, which are pharmacies.
• Oversee the procurement of products including managing the required documentation for initiating, executing, and clearing imports.
• Track and manage the status of ongoing imports to ensure a smooth supply chain process.
• Maintain day-to-day oversight of interactions with outsourced warehouse and logistics partners, ensuring accuracy in stock forecasts.
• Ensure stock updates are accurately communicated to the Customer Service Manager.
• Work closely with the Responsible Person (RP) and Quality Manager & Third Party Transport providers to clear goods through quarantine and resolve compliance issues.

Inventory Control

• Monitor stock levels and implement proactive replenishment strategies to prevent shortages or excess inventory.
• Establish a systematic approach to track stock movements and address any discrepancies in coordination with the Quality Manager.
• Apply stringent inventory control measures to minimize product loss, expiry risks, and regulatory non-compliance.

Demand Forecasting & Coordination

• Work with Customer Service Manager(s) and the commercial team to develop accurate demand forecasts using customer insights and market data.
• Implement forecasting models to anticipate demand fluctuations and adjust stock levels accordingly.
• Ensure suppliers’ production schedules are aligned with the company’s demand projections.
• Allocate stock based on customer requirements and adjust management strategies accordingly.
• Coordinate with Customer Service Manager to ensure accurate and timely communication of stock allocations to customers.

Customer & Product Management

• Develop a deep understanding of product availability, demand dynamics, and factors affecting procurement and storage.
• Maintain close communication with the Customer Service Manager to ensure customer needs are effectively met.
• Provide the necessary insights for managing customer expectations in case of supply chain disruptions.

Administrative Management

• Ensure all import-related documents are updated and completed in adherence to GdocP, Data Integrity (DI), and ALCOA Plus requirements.
• Support regulatory compliance by keeping records aligned with operational requirements.
• Assist the Licence Holder/AO in updating the Controlled Drug (CD) register when necessary.

Market Intelligence & Compliance

• Continuously track and analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, and product developments to optimize procurement strategies.
• Maintain compliance with all licensing and regulatory requirements, strictly adhering to the Quality Management System (QMS) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS).
• Work closely with the Quality Manager to ensure operational adherence to compliance frameworks and guidelines.

Qualifications & Skills

• Must have extensive experience in supply chain management, logistics, inventory control, demand planning, or inventory planning with medicinal products / pharmaceuticals. (Experience with medical devices may also be relevant).
• Must have experience with imports of medicinal products / pharmaceuticals, and the procedures that go along with this (Experience with medical devices may also be relevant).
• Ability to work autonomously, whilst being proactive.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Bonus points for experience in startups, younger or smaller businesses or any evidence of willingness to roll up your sleeves.
• Bonus points for experience with unlicensed medicines (Specials), controlled drugs or medical cannabis.

Compensation & Benefits

• £35,000 – £70,000 depending on experience and seniority level (the client is open to candidates at varying levels).
• Above-standard pension contribution.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Work phone & laptop provided.
• Two additional well-being days per year.
• Ongoing training & development opportunities, including an industry-leading Medical Cannabis course to get you up to speed.

Applying

If this sounds interesting and you would like more information, please apply through this site or email your CV to [e-mail]. Referral fees are available if you know someone suitable.

Applicants must be based in the UK and have the right to work. Sponsorship is not available. Successful candidates will undergo DBS & reference checks before employment.