Associate Director Supply Chain - Dry EM

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Responsibilities

The Associate Director – Supply Chain is accountable for end-to-end supply chain performance, strategy, and governance for one or more global Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs). The role leads all supply chain activities as outlined in the Global Contract Manufacturing Standards, ensuring high service levels, optimized inventory, and compliance across a complex external manufacturing network. This position plays a critical role in Joint Process Team (JPT) leadership, driving integrated supply planning, execution, and continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.

This role acts as a key strategic partner and escalation point for Supply Chain issues, provides leadership across technical transfer and launch readiness projects, and influences enterprise-wide decisions affecting supply assurance and operational performance.

Demonstrated understanding of Lilly Supply Chain processes and systems is required.

Key Objectives/Deliverables:

Lead and Oversee Ongoing CM Operations:

• Act as the primary Supply Chain lead within the JPT, providing leadership and direction for supply chain deliverables and issue resolution.
• Serve as the process expert and functional owner for all supply chain elements related to the products consumed and produced at the CM and/or raw materials and components.
• Lead the monthly demand review, consolidation, and long-term forecast planning processes.
• Own and facilitate S&OP for assigned CMs, ensuring cross-functional alignment and network visibility.
• Manage and optimize batch release, shipment schedules, and capacity alignment to support global supply continuity.
• Define and monitor customer service KPIs, supply reliability targets, and lead time adherence.
• Analyze supply chain performance using OSSCE processes and metrics; lead root cause investigations and continuous improvement projects to sustain or elevate performance.
• Drive development and delivery of customer service dashboards, identifying gaps and opportunities.
• Engage proactively with CMs to align production schedules and ensure timely delivery to meet Lilly’s purchase orders.
• Serve as an escalation point for significant supply risks or disruptions, working closely with JPT leadership, CMs, and regional Supply Planning.

Inventory Management and Supply Risk Governance:

• Lead inventory strategy and execution as appropriate to the CM relationship and product portfolio.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels of raw materials (including Lilly supplied materials), work-in-process, and finished goods.
• Define and review safety stock targets, coverage models, and inventory health across the network.
• Drive and oversee management of slow-moving and obsolete inventory, working cross-functionally to implement preventive controls.
• Lead forecast accuracy and inventory performance reviews with CMs and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure seamless coordination across Lilly supply sites, affiliates, and external partners.

Operational Support and Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Act as supply chain lead for deviation investigations, CAPAs, and root cause analyses with JPT.
• Lead or support complex change controls related to materials, SAP master data, SKU lifecycle, or regulatory impact.
• Raise and resolve system issues or material changes by coordinating across SAP/technical teams.
• Serve as key liaison between Lilly Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Elexsa/IHL support groups, and CMs for planning, order execution, and logistics matters.
• Ensure timely updates and ownership of the Manufacturing Responsibilities Document (MRD).
• Support audit readiness and inspections involving supply chain processes, working closely with Quality and CMs.

External Manufacturing Relationship Management:

• Maintain strategic partnerships with CMOs, with regular communication and site visits to strengthen collaboration and performance.
• Identify CMO training needs on supply chain processes or tools; coordinate and deliver training where appropriate.
• Serve as liaison to affiliates and Global Supply Chain, ensuring alignment on local market needs, launch timelines, and inventory strategy.

Technical Transfer Projects:

• Provide supply chain leadership and risk mitigation support for technical transfer projects and launches
• Collaborate with Technical Project Managers and governance forums to ensure supply readiness and process integration.
• Communicate project status and risks to Supply Chain Senior Leadership; proactively address barriers to ensure launch and transfer success.
• Own or contribute to project-related supply risk assessments, ensuring mitigation actions are in place.

Continuous Improvement Activities:

• Identify and lead strategic improvement opportunities in systems (e.g., SAP, APO/IBP, Kinaxis), planning processes, and supplier engagement.
• Lead or contribute to OSSCE maturity initiatives and global implementation of future planning tools or processes
• Participate in supplier performance reviews and support implementation of improvement plans.
• Drive and oversee product supply risk assessments and develop action plans to mitigate disruptions.

Relationships:

• Strategic and operational partners at Contract Manufacturers (Supply Chain, Operations, Site Leadership).
• Regional and Global Supply Chain functions
• Lilly Manufacturing sites and affiliates (e.g., Kinsale-IHL, Geneva Office, Shared Services)
• Procurement, Quality Assurance, Technical Services, Regulatory, and Finance teams
• External Manufacturing Governance and Planning forums

Basic Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience:
  • Significant experience in a Manufacturing plant, particularly in supply chain roles and ideally with dry products
  • Strong background in planning and cross-functional leadership.
• Skills:
  • Ability to represent Eli Lilly’s mission, policies and practices in a positive, professional, and ethical manner and to influence CMs.
  • Deep understanding of Lilly’s supply chain systems (SAP, APO/IBP, Kinaxis) and OSSCE standards.
  • Strategic mindset with operational execution skills
  • High level of digital fluency, data-driven decision-making, and financial acumen.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
  • High learning agility and adaptability to changing business needs.
  • Ability to work effectively in diverse, global, and virtual teams.
  • Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
  • Appreciation for cultural diversity.

Additional Information

• Some travel is required (5-15%).

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

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