Senior Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Manager

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid leave

Leadership training

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Manager in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Lead end-to-end supply chain, from manufacturing to patient delivery, with focus on inventory, logistics, demand planning and supplier relationships.

You will drive S&OP processes, ensure GDP and regulatory compliance, and mentor a team of supply chain professionals in a hybrid work setup balancing on-site duties in Nelspruit with remote collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; master's preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive supply chain leadership in pharma/healthcare.
• Strong expertise in demand planning, inventory, logistics, and international trade.
• Familiarity with GDP, cold chain, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with SAP and supply chain planning tools.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement supply chain strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Optimize inventory while controlling costs and ensuring product availability.
• Oversee logistics, warehousing, and cold chain operations.
• Lead S&OP processes with commercial and manufacturing teams.
• Manage supplier relationships and 3PL performance.
• Ensure compliance with pharmaceutical regulations and quality standards.
• Drive process improvements to reduce lead times and costs.
• Mentor and develop a team of supply chain professionals.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, QA, and regulatory teams to ensure end-to-end alignment.

Skills

Supply chain management

Demand planning

Inventory management

Logistics

SAP

GDP compliance

Leadership

3PL management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Supply Chain Management

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

S&OP software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent global pharmaceutical company with a significant presence in **Nelspruit, Mpumalanga**, is looking for a strategic and experienced Senior Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Manager. This critical role will oversee and optimize the end-to-end supply chain operations, ensuring the efficient and reliable delivery of pharmaceutical products from manufacturing to patients. Responsibilities include managing inventory, logistics, demand planning, supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical regulations and quality standards. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of pharmaceutical supply chain complexities, and a proven ability to implement innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and reduce costs. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead and shape supply chain strategy within a leading organization committed to improving global health.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement robust supply chain strategies to support the company's business objectives.
• Manage and optimize inventory levels across the supply chain, ensuring product availability while minimizing costs.
• Oversee logistics and distribution operations, including transportation, warehousing, and cold chain management.
• Lead demand forecasting and S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) processes in collaboration with commercial and manufacturing teams.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs), negotiating contracts and ensuring performance.
• Ensure strict adherence to pharmaceutical regulations, GDP (Good Distribution Practices), and quality standards throughout the supply chain.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce lead times, and lower costs.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for supply chain operations.
• Manage and mentor a team of supply chain professionals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments, including manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field; Master's degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in supply chain management, with a significant focus on the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
• Proven expertise in demand planning, inventory management, logistics, and international trade.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical regulations, GDP, and cold chain requirements.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and supply chain planning software.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, balancing on-site responsibilities in **Nelspruit** with remote collaboration.
• APICS or similar supply chain certification is a plus.

Benefits

• An industry-leading annual salary of ZAR.
• Comprehensive health, life, and disability insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan.
• Substantial annual leave allowance.
• Opportunities for leadership development and advanced training.
• Access to advanced supply chain technologies and tools.
• A strategic role with significant impact on the business.