US Distribution Executive Director

Ladders; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 233,000 - 433,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation benefits

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a US Distribution Executive Director in South San Francisco. The role shapes and executes distribution strategy across a multi-node network with emphasis on resilience, compliance and service excellence.

Leads cross-functional teams including logistics and IT to align operations with financial goals and product flows in a highly regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 15+ years in pharma/biotech/distribution.
• Senior leader experience overseeing warehouse and distribution operations.

Responsibilities

• Set and drive a distribution strategy for a multi-node network.
• Lead a culture of trust, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Oversee network performance to ensure compliance and meet KPIs.
• Manage supply chain resilience with risk mitigation and serialization plans.
• Optimize SAP TMS and EWM interfaces with IT/logistics teams.
• Advise senior management on risks and improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven

Cross-functional communication

Operational excellence

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or related field

MBA/Master’s preferred

Tools

SAP TMS

EWM

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a US Distribution Executive Director to join the team of a leader in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech space. This senior operations leader will shape and execute distribution strategy across a multi-node network, with a focus on resilience, compliance, and service performance. The role partners closely with logistics, IT, and senior leadership teams to strengthen warehouse and distribution operations and drive continuous improvement. You will also help ensure the network is aligned to operational and financial goals while supporting critical product flows in a highly regulated environment.

Location: South San Francisco, CA - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $232,900 – $432,500 annually

Responsibilities

• Set and drive a distribution strategy for a multi-node network to create competitive advantages
• Provide leadership to cultivate a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Oversee network performance to ensure compliance and meet operational and financial metrics
• Manage supply chain resilience with risk mitigation, serialization compliance, and business continuity planning
• Optimize systems and interfaces, including SAP TMS and EWM, with IT and logistics teams
• Evaluate and advise senior management on network risks and improvement initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred
• 15+ years of total supply chain or distribution experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device sectors; FMCG experience a plus
• Proven experience as a senior leader of senior leaders, including experience as site head of warehouse and distribution operations
• Extensive knowledge of managing multi-node networks and cold chain products, as well as 3PL management
• Strong understanding of cGMP, DSCSA serialization, and operational excellence frameworks, with Lean or Six Sigma certifications preferred
• Exceptional cross-functional communication skills and a data-driven approach to operational challenges

Benefits

• Approved relocation benefits to assist with moving for the job
• Potential discretionary annual bonus based on individual and company performance

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.