Senior Director – Supply Chain & MMC Operations

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

Senior Director – Supply Chain & MMC Operations

Katwijk, Netherlands | Manufacturing/Quality | Full-Time

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.

Organization & Position Overview

Lilly is establishing a new oral solid dosage (OSD) manufacturing facility at the Leiden Bio Science Park in Katwijk, Netherlands. This greenfield site is central to Lilly’s strategy for expanding European manufacturing capacity across its cardiometabolic, neuroscience, oncology, and immunology portfolios.

The Senior Director – Supply Chain & MMC Operations leads the strategic direction and operational results of warehouse, logistics, dispensing, incoming sampling, inventory management, and production planning for the Katwijk site. Reporting to the Associate VP – Site Head, this role manages demand, replenishment, and material management operations, interacting with global user groups, Global Logistics & Supply Chain Leadership, clinical trial supply teams, contract manufacturing partners, and logistics service providers. As a member of the site Lead Team, the role drives cross-functional alignment and champions Lilly’s Manufacturing Standards for Operational Excellence.

Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Supply Chain Direction

• Set strategic direction and deliver results for warehouse (shipping/receiving, inventory control), production & materials planning, incoming sampling, and dispensing operations.
• Ensure the site production plan is balanced, risks are identified, and new product launches are supported with all supply chain processes in place.
• Strengthen partnerships with affiliates and external logistics providers; manage Supplier Relationship Management for distributors and LSPs, including KPI definition, service reviews, and improvement plans.
• Identify and prioritise productivity opportunities; present business cases to site management and Global Supply Chain leadership.
• Benchmark with peer companies to recognise best practices; seek leadership in logistics forums (planning, supply, transportation, security, operational excellence).
• Support maintenance of supply agreements and partner with Procurement, Quality & Legal in contract negotiations.

Operational Discipline & Standards

• Ensure process teams execute according to Manufacturing Standards (MSOE 602) and champion MSOE 203 – Reliable Supply of Medicine.
• Assure compliance with GMP, EU GDP, and Lilly Corporate Quality Policies.
• Monitor OSSCE metrics, create action plans, and communicate results and corrective actions.
• Knowledge of applicable local, national, and EU transportation, shipping, and waste disposal regulations — including Dutch authorities such as ILT (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport), ADR/RID standards for dangerous goods transport, RIVM environmental guidelines, and any municipal or provincial permitting requirements — as well as familiarity with customs and cross-border logistics regulations within the European Union.

People Leadership

• Build, develop, and lead the supply chain and MMC team; administer performance plans, set challenging goals, and drive succession planning.
• Ensure team members have individualised training plans and development opportunities aligned with their roles.
• Provide adequate resources across areas, balancing contractors and permanent staff as needed.
• Foster teamwork, ensure compliance with EHS policies, and integrate Health & Safety into team objectives and development plans.

Cross-Functional & Corporate Engagement

• Represent the Katwijk site to global supply chain functions, Lilly partner sites, affiliates, and contract manufacturing organisations.
• Actively participate in the site annual business and strategic planning process.
• Communicate strategy and plans to Lilly global manufacturing leadership.
• Support Lilly security assessments for warehousing operations.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, Supply Chain Management, or Business Administration.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry or equivalent, with significant experience in warehousing, planning, and logistics operations.
• 5+ years of supply chain experience and 3+ years of logistics operational experience.
• Knowledge of international shipping regulations, including safety, security, and EU import/export compliance.
• In-depth understanding of logistics and planning tools with the ability to integrate manufacturing, logistics, and planning at a systems level.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken). Dutch language proficiency is a strong advantage.

Additional Preferences

• Understanding of supply and demand principles and drivers, including product-cycle-specific dynamics.
• Experience in business planning, preparing and executing business plans, and accountability for financial results.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to generate, evaluate, and articulate complex supply chain solutions.
• Analytical thinking with the ability to work effectively across multiple organisational levels.
• Knowledge of GMP, EU GDP, and EHS regulations in a pharmaceutical manufacturing setting.
• Experience building supply chain operations for a greenfield manufacturing site.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities. Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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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 () 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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