Head of Supply Chain, Indianapolis (Associate Director)

Novartis Contract Manufacturing; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 138,000 - 258,000; Full time

Job summary

A global pharmaceutical company in Indianapolis is seeking a Supply Chain Head to oversee its supply chain operations. The ideal candidate will manage procurement, inventory, and logistics to ensure operational excellence. This role requires a minimum of 5 years experience in supply chain management and a strong understanding of the Nuclear Medicine industry. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Full range of benefits (medical, financial, 401(k), paid time off)

Sign-on bonus

Restricted stock units

Discretionary awards

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience in a leadership role within supply chain management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Nuclear Medicine industry.
• Proven experience in driving Operational Excellence initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Ensure robust site supply chain processes from procurement through delivery.
• Lead demand and production planning with capacity and scheduling oversight.
• Optimize inventory levels and logistics platforms to meet service and cost targets.
• Manage vendor contracts in collaboration with Global Procurement.

Skills

Supply chain management

Operational excellence

Inventory management

Procurement

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or Engineering

MBA

Job description

Overview

Summary: At Novartis, we are pioneering the future of cancer treatment through Radioligand Therapy (RLT). As we expand our global RLT manufacturing footprint, we are seeking passionate, purpose-driven individuals to join our mission of delivering life-changing therapies to patients around the world.

The Supply Chain Head is accountable for overall ownership of the site’s Supply Chain operations, ensuring that processes and systems are executed consistently and improved to operate at effective and efficient levels. This role enables seamless operations with a focus on inventory management, procurement, resource planning, and delivery to achieve operational excellence. The Supply Chain Head is responsible for the detailed scheduling and coordination of resources required to meet production demands for therapeutic commercial products and clinical studies. This involves planning and managing time, people, materials, and equipment to ensure production requirements are met. The role includes oversight of product delivery to customers, with a focus on maintaining a balanced and optimized inventory to sustain operations without interruptions while achieving short-term operational excellence. The position ensures a reliable supply of materials is available on time to meet production schedules, while maintaining appropriate inventory levels to support uninterrupted operations. The Supply Chain Head is responsible for managing inventory to ensure an optimal cash flow and oversees shipping and receiving processes for materials and finished products. This role also includes responsibility for establishing and managing the procurement process for both direct and indirect materials and services, ensuring compliance with company policies and standards. By driving efficient and compliant procurement operations, the Supply Chain Head ensures the site’s supply chain functions remain aligned with overall business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure robust site supply chain processes from procurement through delivery.
• Lead demand and production planning, including capacity and scheduling oversight.
• Optimize inventory levels and logistics platforms to meet service and cost targets.
• Oversee shipping/receiving, internal/external warehousing, and material movement.
• Manage vendor contracts in collaboration with Global Procurement.
• Maintain budgetary controls across procurement and logistics functions.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a diverse, high-performing team (5–10 direct reports).
• Build team capabilities in supply chain, OpEx, and GMP operations.
• Support succession planning, onboarding, and technical training.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or Engineering. MBA is preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience in a leadership role within supply chain management or operations, preferably in a similar capacity.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Nuclear Medicine industry, including industry-specific supply chain challenges, regulatory requirements, and operational standards.
• Proven experience in driving Operational Excellence initiatives, including implementing systems and processes that enhance efficiency, quality, and cost optimization.
• Extensive experience managing end-to-end supply chain operations, including procurement, inventory management, production scheduling, and logistics oversight.
• Highly proficient in organizational skills, with a strong orientation toward process management and project management to ensure seamless execution of supply chain activities.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates unwavering personal ethics, integrity, and a strong sense of accountability for achieving organizational goals and driving the purpose of the team and business forward.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $138,600 and $257,400 per year. Salary ranges may be adjusted during the year due to market factors. Final pay determinations depend on location, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. The total compensation package may include additional elements such as a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, discretionary awards, and a full range of benefits (medical, financial, 401(k), paid time off). Details of participation in benefit plans will be provided if an offer is made. The role is at-will and the company reserves the right to modify compensation and programs at any time, including for performance or market factors.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people who collaborate and support each other to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.

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Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

EEO Statement: The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations: The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or to perform the essential functions of a position, please email [e-mail] with your request and contact information, including the job requisition number.