Supply Chain Manager

AstraZeneca plc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in London is seeking a Supply Chain Manager to design and optimise UK supply models, ensuring patient access and regulatory compliance. You will lead cross-functional teams, manage stock and launches, and partner with distributors to deliver reliable product availability while minimising waste and risk.

The role emphasizes Lean methods, GDP/GMP governance and new delivery models such as home delivery and hub-and-spoke, with a clear focus on patient outcomes and continuous

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills; numerate.
• General IT literacy.
• Related systems (SAP).
• Strong working knowledge of distribution models (w/s agency).
• Stock control/management.
• Forecasting.
• Managing and influencing remote relationships.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Supply Model Design: Support the development and design of new supply models including bridging schemes, home delivery and hub-and-spoke; lead implementation to realise patient access, compliance and efficiency benefits.
• Regulatory and Quality Leadership: Serve as GDP and GMP lead for GxP activities; maintain validated customer databases per GDP requirements; ensure team training is current; attend quarterly forums and support audits to uphold licence and regulatory obligations.
• Stock and Inventory Optimisation: Partner with global operations to set and review stock parameters that meet UK patient needs; manage inventory to minimise obsolescence, damage and write-offs; ensure robust financial controls and reconciliation.
• Portfolio Transitions and Launches: Identify products for range rationalisation and manage orderly withdrawals of discontinued/divested lines; lead the supply chain workstream for new product introductions and launches to secure on-time readiness.
• Distribution Excellence and Partner Performance: Ensure UK distribution requirements are met in conjunction with Finance and Operations; maintain SLA adherence in wholesaler models, investigate and resolve any breaches; support development of new distribution solutions including bridging schemes, speciality services and home delivery.
• Inbound Supply and Incident Management: Manage the SLA with global operations, monitoring performance against agreed KPIs; lead UK supply chain inputs and actions related to incident management to protect continuity of supply.
• Relationship Management: Build strong internal relationships with global operations, finance business partners, regulatory, manufacturing and GxP functions; own external relationships with key wholesale partners; collaborate with franchises and internal teams to improve ways of working with homecare providers and compounders.
• Team Leadership and Capability Building: Recruit, develop and retain high-calibre talent; mentor and coach direct reports; provide training in supply chain, logistics, forecasting and IBP to broaden capability; create a culture that encourages innovation, challenges the status quo and provides clear accountability; invest in your own leadership growth.

Skills

Analytical skills

IT literacy

Distribution models knowledge

Stock control

Forecasting

Remote relationship management

End-to-distribution knowledge

Supply chain software knowledge

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Title: Supply Chain Manager

Location: London

Competitive salary and benefits

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to ensure uninterrupted access to life-changing medicines for patients across the UK? Do you want to lead a supply chain that balances resilience, compliance and cost, while shaping new models that move faster and smarter?

This role places you at the centre of how we plan, source and deliver. You will steward critical partnerships, shape new supply models such as home delivery and hub-and-spoke, support the UK’s Integrated Business Planning process. Working with supply chain co-ordinator, global and regional colleagues, and our distribution partners, you will translate demand signals into reliable product availability, safeguarding continuity of supply while minimising waste and risk.

You’ll thrive in a setting that values standardised, Lean ways of working and practical problem-solving. Your leadership will bring structure to complexity, strengthening GDP/GMP compliance, and helping introduce new products safely and efficiently—all with a direct line of sight to patient impact.

Accountabilities:

• Strategic Supply Model Design: Support the development and design of new supply models including bridging schemes, home delivery and hub-and-spoke; lead implementation to realise patient access, compliance and efficiency benefits.
• Regulatory and Quality Leadership: Serve as GDP and GMP lead for GxP activities; maintain validated customer databases per GDP requirements; ensure team training is current; attend quarterly forums and support audits to uphold licence and regulatory obligations.
• Stock and Inventory Optimisation: Partner with global operations to set and review stock parameters that meet UK patient needs; manage inventory to minimise obsolescence, damage and write-offs; ensure robust financial controls and reconciliation.
• Portfolio Transitions and Launches: Identify products for range rationalisation and manage orderly withdrawals of discontinued/divested lines; lead the supply chain workstream for new product introductions and launches to secure on-time readiness.
• Distribution Excellence and Partner Performance: Ensure UK distribution requirements are met in conjunction with Finance and Operations; maintain SLA adherence in wholesaler models, investigate and resolve any breaches; support development of new distribution solutions including bridging schemes, speciality services and home delivery. Run weekly wholesaler catch-ups and act as the point of contact for monthly joint operating committees to drive shared performance.
• Inbound Supply and Incident Management: Manage the SLA with global operations, monitoring performance against agreed KPIs; lead UK supply chain inputs and actions related to incident management to protect continuity of supply.
• Relationship Management: Build strong internal relationships with global operations, finance business partners, regulatory, manufacturing and GxP functions; own external relationships with key wholesale partners; collaborate with franchises and internal teams to improve ways of working with homecare providers and compounders.
• Team Leadership and Capability Building: Recruit, develop and retain high-calibre talent; mentor and coach direct reports; provide training in supply chain, logistics, forecasting and IBP to broaden capability; create a culture that encourages innovation, challenges the status quo and provides clear accountability; invest in your own leadership growth.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Strong analytical skills; numerate.
• General IT literacy.
• Related systems (SAP).
• Strong working knowledge of distribution models (w/s agency).
• Stock control/management.
• Forecasting.
• Managing and influencing remote relationships.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Knowledge of the end to distribution (pre-wholesale to Pharmacy).
• Knowledge of supply chain software solutions.

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, your work connects directly to patients—and to a team that blends scientific ambition with practical delivery. You’ll join a diverse group that brings Lean methods to life, standardising where it counts and freeing you to be creative where it matters. Picture unexpected teams in the same room, testing ideas, streamlining flows and pushing for better ways to launch and deliver new medicines. We value kindness alongside ambition, encourage smart risk-taking and invest in the tools and know-how to stay ahead. With new products and constant evolution, you’ll shape how modern supply chains perform—sustainably, digitally and collaboratively—while growing a career with real depth and purpose.

Date Posted: 28-Oct-2026

Closing Date: 10-Nov-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.