EU Distribution Transformation Lead – Pharma | 12-month Interim contract | London
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced EU Distribution Transformation Lead to project manage the implementation of European distribution changes during 2027 for a leading Pharma client…
The role will lead the coordinated deployment of a future-ready distribution network designed to improve service, strengthen resilience and flexibility, reduce logistics cost and transportation miles, support sustainability commitments, and establish more consistent governance and ways of working across Europe.
The successful candidate will partner with affiliates, Global Trade Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Procurement, IT, Legal, Commercial and external logistics providers to translate the approved strategy into executable country plans, manage interdependencies, prepare impacted teams, protect business continuity, and ensure benefits are realised and sustained.
Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):
- Own the integrated 2027 EU Distribution implementation plan, including market sequencing, milestones, dependencies, resources, critical path, decision points, and readiness criteria.
- Translate the pan-European distribution strategy into executable country deployment plans while ensuring local regulatory, quality, commercial, tax, finance, customer service, and operational requirements are addressed.
- Coordinate phased market transitions, recognising differing market complexity and implementation lead times, and maintain alignment across parallel workstreams.
- Establish and run programme governance, including cross-functional working teams, steering forums, status reporting, decision logs, RAID management, escalation routes, and executive updates.
- Lead detailed functional and country impact assessments covering people, process, systems, data, controls, contracts, customers, inventory, and service continuity.
- Partner with Procurement and functional owners to support contracting, implementation, and transition to the future operating model.
- Build strong working relationships with logistics providers and ensure service expectations, operating procedures, implementation deliverables, interfaces, and escalation mechanisms are agreed and tested.
- Develop and maintain market cutover and transition plans, including inventory positioning, order and delivery continuity, master data, system readiness, validation, contingency plans, and go/no-go criteria.
- Work with executive sponsors, affiliate leaders, and functional leads to deliver clear, audience-specific communications explaining the case for change, expected benefits, local impacts, timing, and required actions.
- Coordinate the creation and delivery of training, standard operating procedures, business process documentation, and role-based readiness materials, co-created with relevant business owners.
- Protect customer service and supply continuity throughout implementation through disciplined risk management, contingency planning, and rapid issue resolution.
- Design and lead hypercare governance, including daily performance reviews, issue triage, escalation, ownership, and transition into business-as-usual support.
- Track implementation and outcome measures, including service performance, cost, resilience, transportation and sustainability indicators, adoption, and delivery of the targeted programme benefits.
Requirements:
- 10+ years of relevant experience in programme or project management, supply chain, distribution, logistics, trade operations, or business transformation, preferably within life sciences, healthcare, or biopharma.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-country transformations, or operational deployments across Europe.
- Strong understanding of pharmaceutical distribution and the operational, quality, regulatory and business-continuity considerations associated with changing logistics networks or third-party providers.
- Proven ability to create and manage integrated plans across multiple markets, functions, suppliers and interdependent workstreams.
- Strong project governance, risk management, issue resolution, dependency management, and executive reporting skills.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
EU Distribution Transformation Lead - Pharma in Horsham employer: Beaumont Select
Join a leading Financial Services group that values innovation and strategic thinking in procurement. With a hybrid working model based in either Manchester or Peterborough, you'll enjoy a supportive work culture that fosters professional growth and collaboration across diverse teams. The company offers competitive salaries, opportunities for continuous improvement, and a commitment to aligning procurement strategies with broader business objectives, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
