Director- Supply Chain Process Analysis & Optimization

Job Title: Director- Supply Chain Process Analysis & Optimization

GCL- F

Introduction to role

The Supply Chain Process Analysis and Optimization (SCPA) Director will lead a dynamic team dedicated to developing and implementing digital solutions that enhance AstraZeneca's Global Supply Chain operations. This role is critical to driving digital transformation projects sought at optimizing processes and improving efficiency across various supply chain functions. The SCPAO Director will collaborate closely with multiple collaborators, both internally and externally, to ensure that strategic digital initiatives are successfully driven and aligned with the overall Digital Strategy.

Accountabilities

• Project Management:
  o Partner with various Supply Chain functions to understand, define, and scope digital project demands, ensuring clarity in objectives and deliverables.
  o Develop comprehensive reasons that articulate the return on investment, business value, and strategic alignment of proposed initiatives.
  o Secure funding for larger initiatives by championing their value to senior leadership and aligning them with strategic priorities.
  o Oversee the delivery of custom solutions, coordinating with IT and other customers to ensure alignment with the Digital Strategy roadmap.
  o Implement robust business benefit tracking mechanisms to evaluate the success and impact of solutions within their team.
  
• Team Leadership:
  o Provide strategic direction and leadership to the SCPAO team, ensuring alignment with the overarching Digital Strategy and business objectives.
  o Develop the capabilities of team members to meet evolving project needs, focusing on skill improvement and resource availability.
  o Foster a collaborative environment where team members are encouraged to engage with peers and collaborators to identify innovative solutions to sophisticated problems.
  o Implement performance metrics and reporting systems to supervise team progress and impact.
  
• Consultancy:
  o Act as a technical advisor to the Supply Chain Digital and Analytics (SCDNA) team, bringing Supply Chain Expertise with understanding of process mining and process automation to team member discussions and informing strategic decision-making.
  o Facilitate discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of off-the-shelf solutions versus custom builds, helping collaborators make informed decisions.
  
• Innovation:
  o Continuously scan the technological horizon for new process mining, process optimization, and automation solutions and innovations that can be integrated into the Digital Strategy.
  o Develop and showcase innovative use cases that demonstrate the potential of new technologies to the broader Global Supply Chain and Strategy (GSC&S) organization.
  
• Stakeholder Management:
  o Manage day-to-day relationships with customers, maintaining alignment on project progress and handling customer issues and exceptions.
  o When vital, guide prioritization decisions within the team, seeking input from leadership to drive decision-making and ensure resource alignment.

Scope
This role has a global remit and will operate internationally to support the digital strategy across AstraZeneca's Global Supply Chain and Strategy, engaging with diverse teams and projects worldwide.

Essential Skills/Experience
• A Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as Supply Chain, engineering, economics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience leading supply chain projects in sophisticated and complex environments, focusing on demand planning, forecasting, and logistics.
• At least 2 years of experience in process optimization and automation projects in a supply chain setting (procurement, planning, manufacturing, logistics), including successful implementation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions to digitize operational workflows and reduce manual processes.
• Experience managing teams within data-driven, digital, or analytics-heavy environments, with a focus on process optimization and efficiency improvements.
• Exceptional quantitative and analytical skills with a proven ability to address complex business problems and define innovative, effective solutions.

Desirable Skills/Experience
• Experience in a consulting role, whether internal or external, providing insights and strategies to drive business improvements.
• Experience in process mining with tools such as Celonis, Axon, or equivalent, enabling deep analysis and enhancement of business process efficiency.
• Prior experience working within a global team setting and/or within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Knowledge and application of AI, machine learning, and data science principles, translating technical innovations into practical business solutions.
• Familiarity with programming for data analysis, ideally using Python, SQL, or R, to support data-driven decision-making.
• Experience in Agentic AI for workflow automation.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

AstraZeneca is where technology meets an inclusive mindset to cross international boundaries and develop a leading ecosystem. We work in cross-functional teams at scale, bringing together the best minds from across the globe to uncover new solutions. Here we think holistically about how to apply technology, building partnerships inside and out. We drive simplicity and efficiencies to make a real difference.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now!

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.