Commercial Supply Chain Senior Manager, 12-months
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Type of Role: Contract position, Inside IR35
Contract length: 12 months
Location: Hybrid, 3 days on site in Paddington, London (2 days WFH)
Department: Commercial Supply Chain

Looking for opportunities with purpose, impact and possibilities? Our client, Vertex, is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. As they grow their pipeline at pace, they are strengthening their reputation for creating transformative medicines for people with serious diseases.

General Summary:
The Commercial Supply Chain Senior Manager is responsible for leading, coordinating, and executing product launch readiness activities for Vertex’s commercial products in the international region.
This role focuses on executing launch activities from activation of the final launch strategy and change controls through to delivery to destination markets, across supply archetypes such as dedicated pack, late-stage customization, and named patient supply.
The role works cross-functionally with Commercial, Marketing, Finance, Regulatory, Packaging Engineering, Artwork, Quality, Production Planning, CMOs, Distribution Quality, 3PLs, Demand Planning, and Logistics, and supports the Product and Launch Leads.
Supporting and coordinating end-to-end Supply Chain launch, lifecycle management, and continuous improvement projects to optimize launch readiness and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of timelines and KPIs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Launch Management, Launch Execution: Support execution of New Product Launch (NPL) and Life Cycle Management (LCM) projects across the international supply chain:
  • Lead and support activities to achieve supply readiness aligned with product launch timelines across various product modalities and new markets.
  • Manage the delivery of key launch strategies and milestones through an established end-to-end launch process.
  • Collaborate cross-functional with Commercial, Marketing, Finance, Regulatory, Quality, and Logistics to ensure successful product launches.
  • Oversee dedicated pack readiness and manage exemptions for late-stage customization and Named Patient Supply (NPS).
  • Actively track and manage launch project plans, change controls, and status updates, addressing risks to ensure timely execution.
  • Provide regular progress updates and communications to Product Leads, management, and key stakeholders through established forums.
  • Support the Product Management team to maintain and update quality-assurance-related documentation, including change controls, deviations, and CAPAs, where required.
• Continuous improvement:
  • Drive enhancements in end-to-end supply chain launch readiness processes and controls.
  • Lead initiatives to improve the efficiency of new product launches, pack readiness, and country-specific expansions.
  • Align with internal project management forums to ensure consistency in continuous improvement strategies.

• Bachelors required, preferably in engineering or business.
• Demonstrated success leading highly complex, global initiatives across diverse cross-functional teams, with accountability for driving alignment, execution, and business outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple functions in a dynamic business environment, proactively identifying and resolving risks or barriers that could impact material flow, supply continuity, or project delivery.
• Strong track record of driving end-to-end execution of strategic initiatives, ensuring progress against key milestones, timelines, and organizational priorities.
• Knowledge of the pharmaceutical supply chain and/or life sciences industry, including key operational, regulatory, and business considerations.
• Strong understanding of supply chain management principles, with the ability to apply them in complex, global, and commercially relevant environments.
• Good knowledge of Quality GMP and GDP regulations/requirements, as well as Change Control processes, with the ability to ensure compliance while enabling effective business execution.
• Experience leading or providing strategic support for commercial launch planning and execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively across organizational levels, including senior leadership.
• Strong analytical capabilities, sound judgment, and attention to detail, with the ability to translate complexity into clear actions and decisions.
• Experience working within complex supply chain networks, including collaborative partnerships with CMOs and 3PLs.