Associate Director, Supply Chain & Logistics

Location: Babraham Research Park, Cambridge
Type: Full time, permanent
Start: Immediate
Salary: Competitive / Hours: 40 p/w
Office/Lab Based Position

Cambridge Biotech of the Year 2022 

Your role in our team:

Reporting to the Senior Director of Manufacturing, the Associate Director of Supply Chain & Logistics will be responsible for overseeing and optimising the supply chain, inventory management and commercial shipping process to support bit.bio’s continued growth and revenue generation.

This role requires expertise in exporting regulated, temperature-controlled products, particularly to the USA & EMEA regions as well as developing strategic solutions for global distribution and inventory management of both the current commercial research product line and future clinical products. The ideal candidate will be customer-focused, proactive, and adept at working in a fast-paced environment.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Shipping & Export Management:

• Develop and implement long-term strategies for bit.bio’s continued growth to support exporting regulated products, focusing primarily on the USA & EMEA regions, as well as expansion into other global markets.
• Interpret and implement government import regulations, ensuring compliance and advising on strategic export initiatives. Coordinate with regulatory bodies, brokers, couriers and government agencies to facilitate the release of shipments and resolve any issues promptly.
• Oversee the end-to-end shipment processes, ensuring timely and compliant clearance of products to US / EMEA distribution facilities and customer locations.
• Manage the classification of imported goods with HTS codes and Partner Government Agency (PGA) data (e.g., FDA, USDA, EPA).
• Provide updates to internal stakeholders including the Commercial & Sales teams as well as external customers regarding the bit.bio import process to ensure timely communication and accurate shipping is maintained.

Supply Chain & Inventory Management:

• Accountable for all supply chain and inventory management activities. Including the reception, control, and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods.
• Proactively anticipate and identify supply chain risks, develop resolution plans and ensure all inventory activities comply with safety regulations and best practices.
• Accountable for the development and maintenance of on-site and off-site storage infrastructure to support business growth, including third-party storage relationships.
• Partner with the quality team to create and manage risk mitigation plans or corrective action plans for supplier performance and / or quality issues as well as ensuring timely and appropriate escalation of supplier issues.
• Develops plans and strategies for continuous improvement in operations and procedures to meet both short and long-term needs and to resolve problems.

Leadership and Strategic Development:

• Lead by influence to drive world-class shipping and inventory management processes through agile continuous improvement initiatives.
• Line management and coaching of the team, providing intellectual and practical support as well as ensuring the development of bit.bio’s future leaders.
• Collaborate with HSE & Facilities to ensure disaster recovery plans for LN2 storage. Collaborate with Research, Manufacturing, and QC to ensure back-up suppliers for key reagents and consumables.
• Establish, monitor and report key performance data to the Senior Director of Manufacturing e.g. inventory levels, shipping fulfilment times, group capacity, progress against targets, failure rates.
• Proactively identify and determine current and future resource requirements (both people and systems), lead in the recruitment and establishment of both in a rapidly growing organisation.

You…

• Have a minimum Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Have extensive experience in logistics, shipping, supply chain management, with a focus on exporting regulated products.
• Have experience of working in a fast-paced, start-up/scale-up type environment within the biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry.
• Are agile and customer focused (internal and external stakeholders) with a proven ability to communicate and manage relationships with external customers and businesses.
• Have excellent communication & numeracy skills (both written and verbal).
• Have a track record of showing initiative and problem-solving skills.

With essential experience in…

• Significant experience of exporting products (ideally cells or other temperature controlled regulated products or biologics).
• Experience in shipping primarily to the US, with additional experience in other international markets.
• Knowledge of international shipping regulations, customs procedures and documentation requirements. Familiarity with HTS codes, PGA data, and US Customs requirements.
• Knowledge and experience of using an ERP system, preferably NetSuite.
• Identifying and implementing processes to maintain supply chain integrity, product viability and reduce the number of failed or delayed shipments.
• Proven experience of introducing process and continuous improvement strategies to evaluate and evolve shipping processes to fulfil customer needs and enhance capabilities.
• Proven leadership experience within a Supply Chain & Logistics function.

…and possibly…

• IATA Dangerous Goods Certification OR willingness to get certified.
• Experience of working with stem cells.
• Advanced degree in a related field.

This job advert aims to highlight the main responsibilities of the position but is not an exhaustive list of duties.