Director Clinical Supply Programme Lead

Key Accountabilities

• Clinical Supply Chain Leadership
  Strategically plan, direct, and oversee the development, implementation, and continual improvement of clinical supply strategies and programmes for assigned portfolios across all clinical phases. Ensure comprehensive integration of demand and supply plans with global product and clinical development strategies. 

• Programme & Project Management
  Lead cross-functional programme teams to design and deliver robust and resilient supply chains for global clinical trials. Accountability spans the end-to-end supply chain from drug substance to secondary kits, including critical shared materials (such as drug linkers and external comparator products), including forecasting and returns/destructions. Ensure programmes meet regulatory, quality, and operational requirements, with agile adaptation to evolving clinical and development needs.

• Risk Management & Business Continuity Planning
  Identify, evaluate, and proactively manage supply chain risks associated with clinical trial delivery, including material shortages, regulatory challenges, logistics disruptions, and demand variability. Develop and implement scenario-based mitigation plans and contingency measures to protect programme timelines and outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Engagement
  Represent Clinical Supply Chain in senior leadership forums, and external partnerships as needed. Serve as the key interface between Clinical Operations, Clinical Development, R&D, Pharmaceutical Technology and Development (PT&D), BPD, GTO and supply sites (internal & external). Lead integrated programme planning and establish collaborative operating models to ensure alignment, rapid issue resolution, and optimal delivery performance.

• Financial Management & Efficiency
  Own optimize and manage programme budgets, including forecasting, cost control, spend analysis, and financial reporting at portfolio and trial levels. Approve and monitor resource allocations, drive continuous improvement in cost efficiency, and provide recommendations for investment to support lifecycle supply chain excellence

• Process Improvement
  Drive the design and implementation of improvement initiatives across clinical supply processes and the programme supply chain, leveraging Lean and digital solutions to enhance operational agility, transparency, and sustainability in the tactical and strategic horizon.

• Performance Monitoring & Reporting
  Set, monitor, and deliver against critical supply performance indicators (KPIs), including on-time and in-full supply for clinical milestones, inventory levels, and lead-time reductions. Ensure clear visibility and accountability for results at senior leadership and governance forums.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and communicate a compelling vision, set strategy, and drive long-term value creation for the clinical supply function.
• Results Orientation: Strong delivery focus, with the ability to prioritise, manage complexity, and drive operational performance to achieve business goals.
• Stakeholder Influence: Demonstrated strength in building collaborative relationships, influencing diverse teams, and effectively engaging at all levels of the organisation.
• Innovative Mindset: Ability to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement, embracing new technologies and approaches to enhance clinical supply delivery.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Capacity to work under high levels of ambiguity, pressure, and change, maintaining focus on desired outcomes.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Sciences, Engineering, or a related field.
• Substantial experience in global supply chain management within a biopharmaceutical environment, including direct leadership of large, complex programmes.
• Strong financial acumen, with demonstrated expertise in budget management, cost control, and forecasting.
• Significant experience with strategic planning, risk management, and supply chain optimisation.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, networking and influencing skills at senior levels across functions
• Deep knowledge of drug development, clinical trial processes, cGxP and regulatory environments
• Ability to make and recommend complex, strategic programme and/or portfolio level decisions including influence and communicate with impact
• Ability to drive change, innovation, and continuous improvement within a complex matrix structure.
• Proven people and team leadership in a matrix or cross-functional global environment

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.