Manager – Manufacturing Logistics – 3PL Operations

Eli Lilly and Company; China Grove (NC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is seeking a Manager of Manufacturing Logistics - 3PL Operations to lead external logistics for Concord and RTP NC facilities and the Salisbury warehouse with DHL. You will drive outbound planning, KPI governance, and cross-functional collaboration with QA and site leaders.

Responsibilities include maintaining cGMP compliance, onboarding 3PL staff, and optimizing logistics performance across multiple sites, with travel to Indianapolis during onboarding and occasional site visits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• 3+ years managing an external 3PL or contract warehousing partner.
• Experience with SAP or WMS platforms and operational reporting.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Responsibilities

• Act as the single point of contact for external logistics supporting two NC facilities.
• Coordinate outbound shipment planning, storage capacity, returns, and overflow strategies.
• Build trusted relationships with site leaders and translate needs into logistics plans.
• Lead DHL relationship, set expectations, and review KPI performance.
• Chair daily operations huddle across DHL, RTP, and Concord; manage escalations.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP and participate in CARTS reviews with QA and DHL.
• Oversee onboarding/offboarding for 3PL personnel and maintain site IT tools.

Skills

External 3PL management

Cross-functional coordination

Logistics planning

Quality & compliance focus

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, or related field

Tools

SAP / WMS systems

Job description

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We're looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Why This Role Matters

Lilly is scaling its manufacturing network to meet demand for some of the most important medicines in the world. Behind every product that ships from our North Carolina facilities is a logistics infrastructure that has to work - every day, across multiple sites, in a regulated environment where quality and supply continuity are non-negotiable.

This role is the operational anchor for that infrastructure in NC. As Manager of Manufacturing Logistics - 3PL Operations, you will serve as the primary logistics partner for our Concord and RTP manufacturing sites and lead day-to-day operations at Lilly's Salisbury shared warehouse in partnership with DHL. You will not just manage a warehouse - you will help shape how a major pharmaceutical company executes external logistics at scale.

What You Will Own

Site Logistics Partnership - Concord & RTP

• Act as the single point of contact for all external logistics activities supporting two North Carolina manufacturing facilities
• Proactively coordinate outbound shipment planning, bulk storage capacity, return material flows, and overflow strategy - before problems reach the plant floor
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with site supply chain, QA, and distribution leaders; translate operational needs into logistics execution plans

3PL Performance & Accountability

• Lead the DHL operating relationship at the Salisbury shared warehouse - setting expectations, measuring performance, and driving accountability through structured KPI review and countermeasure cycles
• Chair the daily operations huddle across DHL, RTP, and Concord; own escalation decisions when site priorities compete
• Represent logistics performance in monthly finance reviews and ensure DHL's cost and service commitments stay aligned with Lilly's operational targets

Compliance, Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Operate as a quality-conscious logistics leader - owning SOP content, serving as business approver, and actively participating in CARTS reviews with QA and DHL
• Identify and lead continuous improvement efforts across safety, quality, and cost in collaboration with DHL and internal stakeholders
• Ensure the Salisbury warehouse operates in full compliance with cGMP standards, with documentation and procedures that hold up to regulatory scrutiny

People & Systems Enablement

• Manage the full onboarding and offboarding lifecycle for 3PL personnel - from Beeline requests through system access and learning plan completion - ensuring no operational gaps during workforce transitions
• Maintain the operational infrastructure of the Salisbury site: IT tools, scan guns, printers, and dedicated equipment are available and functioning for the team that depends on them

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or a related field
• 3+ years managing an external 3PL or contract warehousing partner, with ownership of service performance, escalation resolution, and cross-functional coordination
• Experience in SAP and/or a WMS platform, with hands-on experience in inventory transactions, access administration, and operational reporting
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.

Additional Preferences

• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences manufacturing logistics with direct exposure to cGMP compliance requirements and QA interface
• APICS CLTD certification preferred; CPIM or CSCP also considered
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical serialization and DSCSA compliance requirements at the warehouse or shipment execution level
• Experience supporting or leading a logistics or warehouse digitization initiative (WMS go-live, scan/RFID deployment, or transition from manual to digital inventory tracking)
• Comfortable building and presenting operational performance materials independently - dashboards, KPI summaries, and executive-ready presentations without requiring significant support
• Track record of coordinating logistics across more than one manufacturing site or stakeholder group simultaneously, with demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities constructively

Additional Information

• This position is based in Salisbury, NC with regular coordination responsibilities supporting Concord and Research Triangle Park (RTP) manufacturing sites
• Travel to Indianapolis, IN will be required during onboarding and initial training
• Up to 15% travel possible to visit other sites and 3PL partners

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women's Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is

$58,500 - $137,500

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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