Orion Group Life Sciences are currently recruiting a Supply Chain Director on behalf of our Multinational Biopharmaceutical Client based in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. This is a permanent position based onsite in the UAE.

Major Accountabilities:

Supply Chain Strategy & Network Design

• Develop and implement global supply chain strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Design and optimize the supply network to ensure efficiency, agility, and resilience.
• Lead supply chain digitalization initiatives and data-driven planning improvements.
• Assess and implement advanced technologies for inventory, warehousing, and logistics operations.
• Align supply chain operations with regulatory, environmental, and sustainability standards.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Oversee strategic sourcing and vendor selection across all business units.
• Establish and maintain supplier performance metrics and risk assessments.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives while ensuring supply quality and compliance.
• Negotiate high-value contracts and long-term agreements with global suppliers.
• Promote supplier innovation through strategic partnerships and joint value creation

Inventory & Warehouse Operations

• Set inventory policies and safety stock levels to ensure service continuity.
• Optimize warehouse footprint and layout for regional distribution hubs.
• Implement automated inventory control systems and real-time tracking.
• Monitor stock rotation, aging, and wastage across all sites

Logistics & Distribution

• Develop and oversee end-to-end logistics operations and freight planning.
• Establish key KPIs for delivery lead time, accuracy, and cost per shipment.
• Manage 3PL partnerships and international trade compliance
• Ensure cold chain integrity and timely delivery of pharmaceutical products.
• Lead crisis response plans for supply chain disruptions.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead a global team of supply chain professionals with clear KPIs and development plans.
• Collaborate with sites, contract manufacturing, quality, regulatory and business teams to align priorities.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Support talent development and succession planning across supply chain functions.
• Represent supply chain in executive leadership forums and strategic reviews.

Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison between supply chain and internal stakeholders including manufacturing, finance, quality, and commercial teams.
• Align supply chain strategies with executive leadership expectations and cross-functional objectives.
• Represent supply chain interests in board-level discussions, audits, and corporate reviews.
• Engage external stakeholders such as regulators, strategic suppliers, and logistics partners to ensure compliance and collaboration.
• Lead governance processes, ensuring all supply chain activities adhere to internal controls, ethics, and reporting standards

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) or CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution).

Experience

• 20 years of progressive leadership in supply chain and logistics operations, including at least 10 years in a senior or executive role in pharmaceutical, life sciences, or industrial sectors.
• Proven success in managing end-to-end supply chain functions across global networks and multi-entity organizations
• Demonstrated experience in driving supply chain transformation, cost efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.
• Strong expertise in procurement, inventory management, distribution, and supplier relationship management.
• Experience leading strategic sourcing, global logistics, and demand planning functions.
• Proven ability to work with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to align supply chain strategy with corporate goals

 

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion
As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.