Head of Supply Chain

At CNX Therapeutics, we’re building a growing European pharmaceutical business with a clear ambition: to improve access to medicines that make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives . With a diverse portfolio and an expanding global footprint, we’re continuing to grow through both our existing business and new opportunities.

Our people are central to this journey. We’re a collaborative, entrepreneurial and fast-moving organisation where individuals have the opportunity to take ownership, make an impact and help shape how we grow. Joining CNX means becoming part of an ambitious team at an exciting stage of our development, with the opportunity to contribute to both our business and the patients we ultimately serve.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a senior pharmaceutical supply chain leader with deep S&OP expertise, ideally gained in an outsourced (virtual) manufacturing model, to ensure the reliable, compliant and cost-competitive supply of our growing portfolio of medicines.

Reporting to the Supply Chain Director, you will lead our supply planning team and own the S&OP process and supply chain KPI framework end to end. You will set and deliver the short and long-term supply chain strategy, translating our growth plans (organic growth, new launches, tech transfers and acquisitions) into resilient, scalable supply plans, systems and processes.

Beyond the core remit, you will be the face of CNX to our CMOs, champion supply chain on strategic initiatives like Serialisation and ESG, and play a key part in our growth by supporting due diligence on new opportunities and bringing new assets smoothly into business as usual.

What You’ll Be Doing

Supply chain strategy and leadership

• Develop and implement the short and long-term supply chain strategy and operating model for the CNX portfolio, aligned to corporate strategy and growth plans, ensuring it scales with organic growth, launches and acquisitions

• Deputise for the Supply Chain Director as required, and act as the visible operational supply chain leader across Quality, Finance, Commercial, Regulatory, Corporate Development and Legal

• Ensure systems, data and processes are in place to manage and grow the supply chain and to interface effectively with other areas

Management and development of the planning team

• Lead and develop the demand and supply planning team in setting clear objectives, providing consistent direction, ensuring ownership and accountability and driving high performance

• Build the team’s capability, structure and succession so that it scales with the growth of the business, creating development opportunities and a culture of continuous learning

Operational management of the end-to-end supply chain, from API and bulk tablet manufacture through to finished goods packaging production planning

• Own and lead the end-to-end S&OP process, working cross-functionally to build a robust demand, supply and executive review cycle that aligns Commercial, Finance, Quality and Regulatory, and ensures decisions are made, documented and executed

• Work with Commercial to translate short and long term demand forecasts into a robust manufacture and supply plan for the CMO network

• Own the rolling master supply plan, highlighting opportunities, risks and potential mitigations

• Manage and optimise key supply chain attributes such as MOQ, lead times, safety stock and inventory, balancing service levels, working capital and expiry / obsolescence risk

• Own the supply and demand planning system (PLAIO) and its data inputs from NetSuite, driving its maturity and supporting digital transformation across Supply Chain and Finance systems

Performance, KPIs and financial management

• Define, own and drive the supply chain KPI framework, taking independent accountability for delivery and reporting insight and actions to senior leadership and, as required, the Board

• Report the detailed analysis of trends, insights and implications to the business (e.g. COGS changes, working capital, risks and mitigations)

• Own the supply chain budget and partner with Finance on COGS, inventory and forecasting, identifying and delivering cost and efficiency opportunities

Supporting the Supply Chain Director to develop, manage and maintain current and new relationships with CMOs, acting as the key contact with our external manufacturing partners to provide secure, compliant and competitive supply

• Use KPIs, scorecards, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) tools and regular Business Review Meetings / performance discussions to manage and improve third party service performance and grow strategic relationships

• Lead the supply chain input to contract negotiations with contract manufacturers (supply, quality and pricing terms) in partnership with the Supply Chain Director, Legal and Quality, ensuring contracts are in place with key terms that meet business needs

• Oversee the stock forecasting and ordering process with manufacturers through the supply chain team

Risk, resilience and compliance

• Identify, assess and manage risks and opportunities across the supply chain network, maintaining business continuity plans and leading the response to supply disruption and potential shortages, including communication with customers on supply related matters

• Ensure supply chain activities comply with GMP/GDP and purchasing controls, supporting supplier qualification, audit programmes and regulatory inspections in partnership with Quality

• Performance analytics, using standard processes for investigation and root cause analysis, and define and track corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs) in conjunction with Quality and manufacturing partners

Support Business Development and new product introduction, from due diligence through integration of new assets / supply chains, MAH transfer and into business as usual

• Work closely with Corporate Development and strategic colleagues to ensure that supply chain requirements (capacity, cost, regulatory and serialisation) are considered during due diligence and pre-launch planning for acquisitions and business development pipeline projects

• Lead the supply chain workstream for the integration of new assets and supply chains and for MAH transfers, so that they move into business as usual on plan

• Own supply readiness for new product launches and tech transfers, working with Commercial, Regulatory Affairs and Quality

Maintain high standards of ethics, support the company in its efforts to have a pioneering approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG), and drive continuous improvement

• Embed supplier ESG due diligence and supply chain sustainability reporting (including supply chain carbon data) into supplier management, supporting CNX’s sustainability commitments

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across supply chain processes, systems and data, challenging the status quo and building scalable ways of working

What We’re Looking For

Pharmaceutical supply chain and S&OP leadership

• Extensive supply chain experience in a pharmaceutical environment, including at senior level

• Strong, demonstrable S&OP experience, with a track record of designing, embedding and leading the process across a cross-functional business

• Degree-level education in a scientific, supply chain or business discipline, or equivalent experience; a professional supply chain qualification (e.g. APICS, CIPS) is desirable

Outsourced model, commercial acumen and influence

• Experience of an outsourced / virtual supply chain model (CMOs, logistics providers) rather than internal manufacturing, with proven external relationship management skills

• Prior experience with negotiation of commercial agreements, with a good understanding of commercial legalities and practice within the contract manufacturing industry

• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior stakeholders, both internally and externally

Regulatory, quality and compliance

• Extensive knowledge of MHRA, EU and FDA regulations with regard to GXP and purchasing controls

• Working knowledge of serialisation requirements (UK, EU and ROW), or the ability to become the subject matter expert quickly

• Experience of supply chain due diligence, MAH transfers or integration of acquired products is desirable

Leadership and people management

• Able to demonstrate people management – leading and developing a team of planners and building a team that scales

• Track record of setting, leading and driving supply chain KPIs independently, with a high degree of autonomy and minimal reliance on senior leadership support

Continuous improvement, financial and analytical capability

• Demonstrable experience / track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives within supply chain

• Knowledge of project budgeting and financial management, including COGS, inventory and working capital

• Confident use of ERP, planning and analytics tools (e.g. NetSuite, PLAIO, Power BI)

• Knowledge of AI tools in Supply Chain and where they add value

What We Offer

• Competitive renumeration package

• 36 days of annual leave, plus an additional ‘CNX-Day’

• A commitment to your work-life balance with flexible hours and hybrid working

• Private healthcare; including dental

• Access to the on-site gym which includes classes

• Summer Fridays – an early finish during the summer months

• A monthly wellbeing allowance

• Time to volunteer and give back