Director, Supply Chain IT

Job Title: Director, Supply Chain IT

Location: India (Blr Preferred)

Exp:12-15 years

Position Summary

The Director of Supply Chain IT leads the strategic direction, governance, and execution of technology initiatives supporting end-to-end supply chain operations within a global pharmaceutical CDMO. This role ensures robust, compliant, and data-driven systems enable efficient planning, sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution processes across GxP environments. The Director will partner with cross-functional stakeholders to drive digital transformation and digital strategy, lead complex multi-site SAP S/4HANA and SCM system integrations, and ensure continuity and visibility across internal and external supply networks. Responsibilities include owning the IT roadmap for supply chain functions, system architecture, compliance, and performance monitoring, while promoting continuous improvement and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Roadmap Development

• Lead the creation and execution of a global IT strategy for supply chain systems aligned with business growth, regulatory needs, and customer expectations.
• Define a multiyear roadmap for system upgrades, process automation, predictive analytics, and cloud enablement.
• Evaluate emerging technologies (e.g., blockchain, IoT, AI/ML) for traceability, inventory accuracy, and risk mitigation.
• Partner with global operations, quality, regulatory, and finance leaders to align business priorities and IT capabilities.
  
  

Enterprise Systems Leadership

• Direct the deployment, optimization, and lifecycle management of SAP S/4HANA, WMS, TMS, planning (APS), MRP, EDI, and supplier collaboration systems.
• Ensure seamless integration of supply chain systems with MES, QMS, CRM, and laboratory platforms to support end-to-end digital thread.
• Establish data governance and master data management standards across systems to ensure consistency, accuracy, and auditability.
• Oversee cloud and hybrid system deployments in compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, GAMP 5, and Annex 11.
  
  

GxP Compliance & Validation Oversight

• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and CSV teams to validate all GxP-impacting supply chain systems.
• Implement secure role-based access controls, audit trails, disaster recovery, and backup policies for regulated systems.
• Ensure systems support serialization, track-and-trace, controlled substances handling, and import/export compliance.
  
  

Cross-functional & External Collaboration

• Act as a key interface with manufacturing, procurement, logistics, planning, quality, and finance to gather requirements and optimize workflows.
• Build strong vendor partnerships to ensure delivery, compliance, and SLAs are met.
• Coordinate with external CMOs, 3PLs, suppliers, and customers to ensure data integration and supply chain visibility.
  
  

Project & Program Management

• Lead global and site-specific supply chain IT projects, ensuring scope, timelines, budgets, and KPIs are met.
• Apply ITIL, PMP, or Agile methodologies to manage risks, allocate resources, and deliver high-impact outcomes.
• Establish formal governance and change management structures to oversee digital transformation and digital strategy across supply chain domains.
  
  

Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor system KPIs including uptime, transaction throughput, fulfillment accuracy, and order cycle time.
• Implement real-time dashboards and data analytics for proactive decision-making and root cause analysis.
• Identify system enhancements to reduce manual interventions, lower inventory costs, and improve customer service levels.
• Drive innovation through automation, robotics, and AI-based forecasting and inventory optimization tools.
  
  

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a global team of IT analysts, engineers, architects, and project managers.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, continuous learning, and customer-centric delivery.
• Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and cross-training across global and site-based teams.
  
  

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or Supply Chain Management; advanced degree preferred.
• 12-15+ years of IT leadership experience, including 5+ years focused on supply chain systems within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or CDMO environment.
• Proven success leading global SAP S/4HANA/SCM transformation projects and operating in regulated GxP environments.
  
  

Skills & Knowledge

• Expertise in SAP S/4HANA, Oracle, Blue Yonder, Kinaxis, or ERP/WMS/APS systems.
• Strong understanding of GxP validation, supply chain planning, manufacturing logistics, serialization, and cold chain operations.
• Proficient in Agile/Waterfall project methodologies, ITIL practices, and cybersecurity principles.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, vendor management, and stakeholder engagement s