Head of Global External Supply Operations

Management | Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid

Our people in Manufacturing & Global Operations share two priorities: getting things done and making things better. If you’re a dynamic person with a positive mindset, you’ll fit in well here. It’s an international team with a powerful spirit of collaboration. Together, we make sure our products meet the highest standards of quality by constantly searching for ways to improve at every stage of our value chain – from the raw materials we buy through to the logistics network that brings our medicines to patients. Join our team and help us make an even bigger contribution to Grünenthal’s future.

What The Job Looks Like

• Provide vision and leadership in managing all externally supplied products for global markets: +- 66 vendors with an annual spend up to 210MM€ split between contract manufactured and in-licensed products, contributing significantly to Grunenthals revenue
• Responsible for the long-term strategic supplier management (SRM) and SRM related processes
• Develop the ESO functions and create & define the related strategy. Define and shape supplier strategy and relationships.
• Lead and develop the ESO team (6 FTE) and indirectly manage virtual site stakeholders
• Ensure supply of externally sourced products in all relevant dimensions (cost, cash, quality, supply)
• Ensure continuous supply risk identification and management
• Support projects such as technology transfers, new product introductions, process improvements
• Deliver global annual saving targets
• Develop and continuously improve the ESO function, ensure organizational effectiveness and most optimal allocation of tasks & targets
• Align and provide strategic guidance to ESO Leaders
• Contribute to Due Diligences and negotiations as required to ensure performance improvement and product integrations
• Partners with MSI (Manufacturing science integration), Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, SD&O (Strategy and Development Operations) and Global Licensing to develop a long-term manufacturing network strategy and maintains a flexible, reliable, robust and cost‑effective external manufacturing network,
• Continuously improve a robust tracking and reporting process to monitor CMO performance and report progress, Represent ESO in internal and external occasions such as Project Transformation Board, GOB (global operations board), Supplier Meetings, Strategic business reviews, Congresses
• Build, coach, and develop a high‑performing External Supply Operations (ESO) team.
• Act as escalation point in critical meetings and negotiations with strategic suppliers

What You'll Bring To The Table

• Academic Master in science or engineering
• P&L accountability in an end-to-end function in Operations such as manufacturing, global supply chain, procurement
• Experienced account and stakeholder management
• Experience as former site/manufacturer leader is a plus
• Good knowledge in Good Manufacturing Practice including end-to-end operations and interdependencies
• Strong technical knowledge on DP manufacturing all forms (patches, injectables, solids, etc.)
• Executive Presence with profound communication skills at all levels of the organization
• Negotiation skills with high sense of making things happen
• Strong people & leadership capabilities
• Ability to lead and hold teams accountable, result orientated
• Willing to travel (up to 25%)

"In this role you will unite internal teams and external partners to deliver a resilient, competitive supply network." – Elke Geysen, the Hiring Manager