Operations Director (Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Distribution)
Core
Define and execute end-to-end distribution strategy for pharmaceutical, healthcare, and animal health products in a GDP-regulated environment, ensuring compliance, cold chain integrity, and operational efficiency from warehouse to patient.
Role type
Director-level operations leader (pharma supply chain & logistics)
Builds
Pharmaceutical and healthcare distribution network across GCC/MENA
Domain
Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Distribution (GDP-regulated)
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
GDP compliance management, cold chain operations, demand planning & forecasting, P&L ownership, ERP/WMS/TMS fluency, regulatory audit management, team leadership, business continuity planning, cost optimization, stakeholder influence at C-suite level
Preferred skills
MBA or postgraduate qualification in Supply Chain/Ops, Lean/Six Sigma certification, experience with serialisation/track-and-trace platforms, digital transformation leadership
Technologies
ERP, WMS, TMS, data analytics platforms, serialisation platforms
Responsibilities
Define and execute 3-year operations strategy aligned to business growth; oversee warehousing, inventory, transportation, and last-mile distribution; ensure rigorous GDP-compliant handling and cold chain protocols; manage direct and indirect procurement and 3PL relationships; own operational budgets and drive cost optimization; lead and develop high-performing operations teams; partner with commercial teams to align capacity with sales growth; identify and mitigate operational risks including supply disruptions; implement digital tools and automation across distribution operations.
Seniority
Director, strategic leadership & multi-site operations