Assistant Director, Sales & Operations Execution Planning

Ionis Brand; Ireland; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. seeks Assistant Director, S&OE Planning to oversee short-term supply plan execution, clinical supply integration, and vendor coordination across Boston or Dublin.

You will drive risk assessment, forecast communication, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure uninterrupted product availability and alignment with commercial and clinical needs. The role requires robust supply chain planning experience, ERP/SAP proficiency, and strong stakeholder management in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field.
• Experience in supply chain planning, operations planning, or logistics.
• Experience with CMOs or external supply partners is a plus.
• Pharma/biotech/manufacturing industry exposure preferred.
• Strong data analysis and Excel skills required.

Responsibilities

• Execute and maintain the short-term supply plan to support demand and inventory targets.
• Monitor supply performance and identify risks to continuity.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to resolve constraints.
• Ensure alignment between demand and supply availability.
• Prioritise supply allocations for commercial and clinical needs.
• Lead vendor relationships and performance reviews.
• Communicate forecasts and changes to external partners.
• Support inventory and batch release processes.

Skills

Excel & data analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Influencing without authority

Proactive mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or related discipline

Tools

SAP ERP

SAP IBP

Job description

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs. With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees.

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive.

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, SALES & OPERATIONS EXECUTION PLANNING

SUMMARY

The Assistant Director, S&OE (Sales & Operations Execution) Planning is responsible for the short-term execution of the supply plan to ensure uninterrupted product availability and optimal inventory management. This role acts as the primary operational liaison between internal stakeholders and external manufacturing and supply partners, driving execution excellence across supply planning, vendor management, material flow, and issue resolution.

They are also responsible for managing supply risks, responding rapidly to supply challenges, coordinating vendor performance, and ensuring accurate execution of supply plans to support customer demand and business objectives.

In addition, the role is responsible for ensuring Clinical Supply requirements are fully incorporated into operational planning processes. This includes monitoring clinical demand forecasts, ensuring product availability for clinical studies, coordinating shipments to clinical depots and study sites, and managing supply risks that could impact clinical trial continuity.

This position may be located in Boston, MA, USA or Dublin, Ireland.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supply Plan Execution

• Execute and maintain the short-term supply plan to support customer demand, clinical requirements and inventory targets.
• Monitor supply performance and proactively identify potential risks to supply continuity.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to resolve supply constraints and execution issues.
• Ensure alignment between demand requirements and supply availability.
• Prioritise supply allocation decisions to support both commercial and clinical needs.

Clinical Supply Planning & Execution

• Serve as the primary supply planning contact for Clinical Supply Operations.
• Ensure clinical demand forecasts and study requirements are incorporated into supply plans.
• Monitor inventory availability to support ongoing and upcoming clinical studies.
• Coordinate the timely shipment of clinical materials.

Vendor Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary operational contact for assigned external manufacturing and supply partners.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to support reliable product supply.
• Lead regular vendor review meetings and operational discussions.
• Escalate and manage supply issues impacting delivery performance.

Forecast Communication

• Issue rolling forecasts to external manufacturing and supply partners.
• Ensure forecast accuracy and timely communication of changes in demand requirements.
• Coordinate forecast reviews and challenge assumptions where appropriate.

Supply Risk Management

• Provide rapid response to supply challenges, shortages, delays, and manufacturing disruptions.
• Lead mitigation planning and coordinate corrective actions with internal stakeholders and vendors.
• Communicate supply risks and recovery plans to management.

Vendor Performance Management

• Develop, monitor, and report vendor performance metrics and KPIs.
• Conduct regular performance reviews with vendors.
• Identify improvement opportunities and drive corrective actions where required.

Financial Support

• Support finance-related supply chain queries.
• Review and approve monthly inventory reconciliations.
• Ensure supply chain data is accurate to support financial reporting requirements.
• Partner with Finance to investigate inventory variances and supply-related transactions.

Batch and Inventory Management

• Monitor batch status across the supply network.
• Coordinate batch release activities and resolve release-related issues with Quality and Manufacturing teams.
• Manage inventory visibility and ensure timely progression of materials through the supply chain.
• Support disposition and prioritization decisions for critical inventory.

Material Tracking and Supply Visibility

• Track materials throughout the end-to-end supply chain.
• Maintain visibility of production, shipment, release, and inventory status.
• Escalate delays and drive resolution to prevent customer impact.
• Provide regular updates on material availability and supply risks.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Quality, Finance, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Logistics, and Commercial teams.
• Support S&OP and Supply Review processes through accurate execution data and risk assessments.
• Lead Business Reviews and Supply Governance Meetings.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

• Customer service level / product availability
• Inventory target attainment
• Vendor on-time delivery performance
• Forecast accuracy to vendors
• Supply issue resolution time
• Batch release cycle time
• Inventory reconciliation accuracy
• Supply plan adherence
• Vendor KPI performance

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or related discipline.
• Minimum of years 8 years + of experience in Supply Chain Planning, Operations Planning, Materials Management, or Logistics.
• Experience working with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) and external supply partners preferred.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
• ERP experience (SAP preferred).
• Experience with planning systems such as SAP IBP.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
• Understanding of inventory management and supply planning principles.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and execution focus.
• Ability to influence internal and external partners without direct authority.
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset.

For Boston, MA/USA candidates, the pay scale for this position is $97,090 to $141,725

For Dublin, Ireland/EU candidates, salary will be relevant to skills and experience.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.