Supply Operations Manager

Chiesi Group; Parma; On-site; EUR 46,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Private medical insurance

Wellbeing programme

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Chiesi Group, based in Parma, Italy, is seeking an R&D Supply Operations Manager to coordinate governance and continuous improvement of Material Supply and Shipping Operations within the new R&D Supply Chain organization.

You will lead an operational team, oversee domestic and international shipments, ensure regulatory compliance (GMP/cGMP where applicable), and collaborate with Integrated Planning, Procurement, Warehouse, Quality, HSE, Transport, Import/Export and R&D stakeholders to strengthen

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Solid experience in Supply Chain, Logistics, Shipping or Operations, preferably in pharma.
• Good knowledge of domestic and international shipping, HS/classification.
• Good knowledge of customs processes and HS/commodity codes.
• Ability to manage risks and priorities in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication.
• Excellent command of English and familiarity with ERP/digital tools.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise Supply Operations team, set priorities and training.
• Oversee day-to-day Material Supply and Shipping Operations, balancing workload.
• Manage end-to-end domestic and international shipments, documentation, tracking.
• Provide guidance on transport, import/export and customs requirements.
• Oversee SAP master data updates and related documentation.
• Act as escalation point for operational issues and risks.
• Define standards, governance rules and KPIs to drive improvement.
• Ensure GMP/cGMP compliance and safety rules.
• Build relationships with internal functions, suppliers and logistics partners.
• Author/review SOPs and support system evolution.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem-solving

Decision-making

English proficiency

ERP tools

Digital tools

Education

Bachelor's/Master's degree in Management, Economics, Chemistry, Pharma

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

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Department: GTD Global Technical Development

Business Area: R&D, Pharmacovigilance & Regulatory Affairs

Job Type: Direct Employee

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Parma, IT

About us

Chiesi is an international research-focused biopharmaceutical group with 90 years’ experience, operating in more than 30 countries, with its Headquarter in Parma, Italy. More than 8,000 employees across the group are united by a singular purpose: promoting a healthier world for our people, patients, and the planet. This is what drives us as we research, develop, and market innovative drugs across our main therapeutic areas. Discover more here.

At Chiesi we are thinking generations ahead, driving sustainable innovation with purpose. This fosters a culture of reliability, transparency, and ethical behaviour at every level. As a Benefit Corporation and a certified B Corp, we have embedded sustainability in our bylaws and continuously measure our impact.

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of who we are. We believe our differences make us stronger. We are a vibrant ecosystem of passionate, talented individuals united by strong values, each bringing unique perspectives that help us to continuously challenge the status quo for the better.

Chiesi Research & Development

Our R&D team represents a fundamental asset for the business. It is divided into integrated functional areas focusing on pipeline projects including discovery and preclinical research, global technical development, drug delivery technology, clinical development, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, intellectual property, quality assurance, R&D project and portfolio management. Headquartered in the new purpose-built and fully integrated Research and Development Centre in Parma (Italy), the team also has important operations in Paris (France), Chippenham (UK), Cary (US), Stockholm (Sweden), Toronto (Canada) and Shanghai (China).

Who we are looking for

This is what you will do

As part of the new R&D Supply Chain organization, the R&D Supply Operations Manager will coordinate the governance and continuous improvement of Material Supply and Shipping Operations. The role will oversee a sizeable operational team, supporting clear priorities, balanced workloads, capability development and business continuity.

A key part of the position is the governance of domestic and international shipments. The role requires good knowledge of transportation, import/export and customs processes, including familiarity with customs classification and HS or commodity codes. Close collaboration with Integrated Planning, Procurement, Warehouse, Quality, HSE, Transportation, Import/Export and R&D stakeholders will be essential.

You will be responsible for

• Coordinating and supporting the Supply Operations team, setting priorities, allocating resources and promoting adequate training, backup coverage and cross-skilling.
• Coordinating day-to-day Material Supply and Shipping Operations, balancing workload, capacity and priorities across coded and uncoded material flows.
• Overseeing end-to-end domestic and international shipments, including request intake, documentation, system processing, carrier coordination, tracking and post-delivery activities.
• Providing operational guidance on transport, import/export and customs requirements, including support in the assessment of customs classifications and HS or commodity codes.
• Overseeing material supply processes, including purchasing requests, supplier follow-up, requests for the creation or update of SAP master data, Transfer Orders and supporting documentation.
• Acting as escalation point for operational issues and risks affecting material availability, shipment execution, compliance or business continuity.
• Defining operating standards, governance rules and responsibility splits, and monitoring KPIs, backlog and service levels to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensuring compliance with corporate quality requirements, GMP or cGMP where applicable, safety regulations, import/export rules and internal procedures.
• Building effective relationships with internal functions, suppliers, carriers, freight forwarders and logistics partners, while contributing to resource, capacity and budget planning.
• Authoring, reviewing or approving relevant SOPs, Work Instructions and process documentation, and supporting the evolution of systems and digital tools.

You will need to have

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Management Engineering, Business, Economics, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or another relevant field related to the role.
• Solid experience in Supply Chain, Logistics, Shipping, Import/Export or Operations, preferably in pharmaceutical, life-science or another regulated environment.
• Good knowledge of domestic and international shipping, transport coordination, shipment documentation and complex or non-standard flows.
• Good working knowledge of customs and import/export processes, with familiarity in customs classification and HS or commodity code assessment.
• Ability to manage operational risks, escalations and competing priorities in a complex cross-functional environment.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and good knowledge of ERP and digital tools.

We would prefer for you to have

• Experience in pharmaceutical R&D, clinical supply, pharmaceutical logistics or another GxP-regulated environment.
• Experience in managing or coordinating an operational team, supporting priorities, capability development and effective resource allocation.
• Experience with SAP supply and shipping processes and with international logistics providers.
• Experience in operational excellence, process standardization or organizational transformation initiatives.

Location

The position is based in Parma, Italy, with working arrangements aligned with the applicable company policy.

Compensation Range

The budgeted salary range approved for this role is between € 46.000 and € 57.500. This range reflects the typical compensation expected for candidates with the experience and expertise required for the position.

Final offer may vary based on the selected candidate's skills, experience, qualifications, overall profile, and internal equity considerations.

This role is eligible to participate in an annual bonus scheme, subject to company and individual performance.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including pension, private medical insurance, wellbeing programme, flexible benefits programme, and more.

What we offer

No matter where your path starts at Chiesi, it leads to inspiring possibilities. Your future is our focus, and we are committed to nurturing your development in our dynamic, friendly environment with access to resources and training every step of the way.

We provide top-class benefits, including comprehensive healthcare programs, work-life balance initiatives, and robust relocation support. Our salary package is competitive, comprising a basic salary, performance bonuses, and benefits benchmarked against the external market. Additionally, we offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and tax assistance services for foreign colleagues, all designed to help you thrive.

Chiesi is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of our business. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment based on attitude and merit, without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.