Logistics & Distribution Manager

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Manager, Temperature Controlled Logistics to design and improve a robust cold-chain network across the Global Supply Chain. You will create processes, partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing and external providers to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity.

Responsibilities include SOPs, packaging instructions, deviations, validation plans, KPI reporting, and leading cross-functional workshops to enable scalable, compliant shipments worldwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline.
• 5-7+ years progressive experience in Engineering, Quality and/or Manufacturing roles in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Master's degree in business (implied)

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain SOPs and packaging instructions for compliant logistics.
• Ensure temperature-controlled processes support product quality and regulatory requirements; serve as audit contact.
• Manage quality-system activities including deviations and CAPAs.
• Develop and maintain Logistics Validation Master Plans across modalities.
• Partner with Product and Program Teams for launches and lifecycle management.
• Support supplier qualification, lane selection, risk assessments, and packaging decisions.
• Maintain the internal Logistics Risk Assessment tool with lane/route data.
• Collaborate to enhance logistics information systems.
• Define and communicate KPIs for temperature-controlled logistics.
• Lead investigations and remediation for cold-chain issues.
• Lead process redesign workshops and change management.
• Coordinate external workforce and budgets; manage subcontracted services.

Skills

Temperature-controlled logistics

Quality system management

Cross-functional collaboration

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline

Master's degree in business

Job description

General Summary:

The Manager, Temperature Controlled Logistics (TCL) is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of processes and procedures that enable reliable, compliant temperature-controlled logistics operations across Vertex. This role partners closely with Logistics Operations teams across all modalities, Logistics Service Providers, Quality Assurance, Packaging Engineering, Supply Chain, Technical Operations, Trade Compliance, Sourcing & Procurement, and internal and external manufacturing organizations to ensure product quality, regulatory compliance, and evolving business needs are consistently met.The successful candidate will help design, build, and sustain a robust logistics network that supports pipeline and commercial programs. Key responsibilities include evaluating and deploying innovative active and passive packaging solutions; assessing IoT-enabled monitoring devices and temperature data loggers; and evaluating vendor systems and data capabilities to enable real-time monitoring of shipment integrity and temperature conditions. The Manager will also oversee logistics quality-system activities, including change controls, from initiation through closure.This position requires a collaborative, data-driven leader with a strong quality and compliance mindset, deep cold-chain logistics expertise, and the ability to anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve complex operational issues in a fast-paced environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, and packaging instructions that enable compliant logistics activities across the Global Supply Chain and Internal and External manufacturing network, in alignment with Logistics Service Providers.
• Ensure temperature-controlled logistics processes consistently support product quality, regulatory requirements, and business objectives. Serve as the primary point of contact for shipping and validation activities during Health Authority inspections and internal audits.
• Manage logistics related quality system activities, including deviations, corrective and preventive actions, after-action reviews, and associated remediation activities.
• Own the development and maintenance of Logistics Validation Master Plans supporting the validation of shipping and storage activities across modalities and product types throughout the product lifecycle, from clinical development through commercial operations.
• Partner with Product and Program Teams to support product launches, lifecycle-management activities, and evolving temperature-controlled logistics requirements.
• Support supplier qualification, transportation lane selection, risk assessments, and transportation mode decisions for temperature-controlled shipments, including the selection of qualified active and passive packaging solutions.
• Own the periodic review and maintenance of the internal Logistics Risk Assessment tool, including lane and route data, in close partnership with Logistics Operations teams and Logistics Service Providers.
• Collaborate with Logistics Operations, DTE, Quality, and other cross-functional stakeholders to evaluate, implement, launch, and continuously enhance logistics and supply chain information systems.
• Define, measure, analyze, and communicate temperature-controlled logistics key performance indicators and supporting metrics to assess logistics and distribution performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Participate in quality exception investigations and lead the resolution of complex cold-chain and logistics issues, including implementation of remediation and preventive measures.
• Lead process redesign workshops, manage process changes, and identify opportunities to improve operational performance, compliance, and scalability.
• Facilitate cross-functional process workshops to gather requirements, align stakeholders, and translate business needs into sustainable, scalable process improvements.
• Champion change management activities by educating stakeholders and supporting business users responsible for operating logistics processes, newly implemented capabilities, and temperature-controlled solutions.
• Establish work plans and prioritize activities for external workforce resources and third party companies supporting shipping validation studies. Ensure work is delivered in accordance with internal policies and procedures, required timelines, and approved budgets.
• Support the development and coordination of statements of work for applicable subcontracted services and monitor invoices for related activities.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline
• 5-7+ years progressive experience in Engineering, Quality and/or Manufacturing roles in the pharmaceutical industry - Experience with Clinical/Commercial drug, device and/or combination products across Biologics and Genetic and Cell Therapy technologies.
• Master's degree in busine