Director, Supply Chain

Summary

Reporting to the Regional SCM Exec Director, and with a dotted line reporting relationship to the Market GM, this role establishes, maintains, and improves supply chain capability within the sub-Region by ensuring continuous supply in the right quantity to the right location at the right time in a cost-effective manner.

The role will deliver on our core supply philosophy; our foundation and our cornerstones and ensure our team behaviours drive excellence in performance.

Foundation: Manage flow, optimize inventory holding, and successfully launch new products.

Cornerstones: Deliver excellence in customer service, manage costs to budget, standardize processes and technology, and ensure well- trained people are organized in high performing teams.

The China SCM Director focuses on core priorities through a prioritized agenda, and with a simultaneous effort on short/long-term goals, will build confidence in the SCM team and deliver results for Commercial.

The Director will strive to maintain a fresh leadership outlook with a commitment to lead a high-performing, winning team, which is action and results oriented.

Key areas of responsibility include: (a) Support commercial Business cases with supply chain strategy aligned with regional and global strategy, (b) Partner with regional management teams in Regulatory, International Quality and Finance to deliver a best-in-class supply chain, and (c) Serve as single point of contact for the Supply chain function in China.

As a senior Amgen leader, the role must Integrate, Adapt, Inspire and Accelerate, to make Amgen ready for the future.

• Integrate – Collaborate with stakeholders throughout our supply chain to deliver for our patients.
• Adapt – Be centred on external environmental factors to help us adapt our processes quickly and react to and manage supply chain issues.
• Inspire – Gain inspiration from the Amgen mission and inspire others through resilience and delivery of results.
• Accelerate – Have an insatiable desire to be competitive and win, while assuring safety, quality and compliance

Specific Responsibilities

• Support commercial business cases with supply chain strategy aligned with regional and global strategy:
  • Develop a supply chain strategy to deliver on medium to long range Commercial plans.
  • Establish a cost-effective business model that supports the China ambition and the broader business demands.
  • Support and help Global Operations understand the China market LRS (Long Range Scenario) plan.
  • Manage information flow – Assure accurate and timely communications to central teams for planning and execution, and to all impacted stakeholders, and assure the data integrity of our systems.
  • Appropriately escalate issues with potential financial impact.
  • Develop and train regional stakeholders to raise supply chain standards and effectiveness.
  • Advise sales and marketing on product strategy and brand plans.
  • Own risk assessment and mitigation plans.
• Partner with regional management teams in Regulatory, International Quality and Finance to deliver a best-in-class supply chain: Accountable for planning, life-cycle management and new product introduction, logistics and distribution, and customer service to the China market.
  • Drive the Integrated Business Planning ('IBP') and Sales & Operations Planning ('S&OP') process in collaboration with Commercial and Finance organizations. Develop monthly consensus forecasting through collaboration with marketing and sales.
  • Manage product flow – Deliver the right product, at the right quality, at the right time by managing replenishment plans to first-economic customers, e.g., wholesalers, distributors, partners.
    • Possess a detailed understanding of internal/external inventory policies and requirements.
    • Convey appropriate demand signals during monthly planning cycle via Rapid Response system.
    • Clearly communicate country-specific demand trends and drivers to the global supply chain network.
  • Successfully launch new products – Support and enable the Commercial ambition in the market and manage the lifecycle of existing products.
  • Develop supply transition plans for product/SKU-specific variations (CMC, labeling) with key stakeholders from Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Marketing.
  • Conduct scenario and long-range/10-year demand planning on an as-needed basis.

• Serve as single point of contact for the Supply chain function in China:
  • Advise Country GM of supply chain matters.
  • Be the Process Owner (PO) for the SOX process.
  • Advise and support China partners and distributors.
  • Present to cross functional governance at Executive level.
  • Manage the team members in their regular tasks, helping them to prioritize and work efficiently.
  • Lead the team to solve problems and continuously improve.
  • Be the decision-maker for the team and escalate issues as appropriate.
  • Manage team performance, drive the business KPIs to meet or exceed targets, and be accountable to Commercial for supply continuity.
  •  Manage the team to be collaborative, support them to develop skills and capabilities to be future ready.
  • Create an environment that values DI&B, while enhancing team member engagement.
  • Encourage participation in the JAPAC Drive for Excellence program.

• General Responsibilities:
  • Lead meetings (agenda, minutes, follow up).
  • Challenge and drive positive change in current Supply chain processes and gain alignment cross functionally.
  • Deliver excellence in customer service.
  • Manage costs to budget by partnering with Finance and take actions to improve Supply Chain productivity by implementing digitalization (i.e., technology) and fostering a culture of LEAN through our Drive for Excellence program.
  • Standardize our planning processes, drive enhanced use of our SC systems, and nurture innovation, encouraging our people to learn and grow.
  • Deliver on market (Commercial) imperatives –
    • Excellence in product quality.
    • Maximize product shelf life.
    • Proactively support business needs, partnering with Commercial and Financial colleagues to understand drivers of demand through our IBP process.
  • Maintain active engagement with supply chain organizations at the regional/global/site levels
  • Maintain active cross-functional engagement at the country-level – both internally and externally
  • Support change control assessments related to launches, variations and changes with local supply impact
  • Generate and maintain metrics and KPIs for Supply Chain through our processes.
  • Assess industry trends, internal network and technology advancements as tools to improve supply chain performance. Measure and benchmark with industry and peers, develop and implement strategic plans.
  • Identify opportunities to increase strategic value of external partnership and be an advocate of change, innovation, and operational excellence.

Basic Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, engineering, life science-related or similar field
• 12+ years of experience in supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry, preferably in biotechnology
• 12+ years in roles requiring knowledge of cGMP/GDP principles and local regulatory guidelines
• 12+ years of experience in working at a multi-national/global company with diverse cultures
• 12+ years of engaging with external third parties, including participation on cross-functional teams
• Experience in SAP and/or Rapid Response system environments

Basic Knowledge & Skills

General

• High degree of language proficiency in English.
• Demonstrates an ability to be a strategic thinker, with a track record of developing and executing winning strategies
• Self-motivated, high degree of personal integrity/accountability, positively contributes to the work environment
• Promotes a culture of change, continuous improvement and belonging, while leading an engaged team.

Technical Skills

• Leverages supply chain expertise to anticipate issues and mitigate risks  
• Streamlines processes using Operational Excellence methodology and tools
• Understands the impact of quality systems, manufacturing processes and regulatory activities to the supply chain
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and business acumen; able to apply basic principles of finance/accounting

Accountability and Agility

• Performs day-to-day activities with minimal supervision
• Reprioritizes work during unexpected situations or with changing organizational needs
• Possesses an understanding of how demand/supply planning contributes to the ‘big picture’, goals and priorities
• Establishes and monitors planning-related performance metrics to continually improve and adapt

Communication/Interpersonal

• Successfully manages internal and external relationships
• Adapts communication style and works effectively across cultures and geographies
• Understands nuances of a matrixed work environment
• Effectively conducts presentations and meetings using appropriate tools and strategies
• Collaborates with partners by considering input and promoting trust among all parties

Problem solving and decision making

• Applies risk-based decision making and issue escalation  
• Effectively navigates through ambiguity and complexity to resolve issues
• Conducts scenario analyses to evaluate implications of different courses of action

Leadership and Teamwork

• Influences and inspires without authority
• Acts as a role model and provides mentorship to peers and team members
• Collaborates and builds constructive cross-functional relationships
• Effectively manages team members and resolves conflicts