Head of Supply Management Group / Manager / Production SCM Dept, Yamagata Plant (Higashine, Japan, Yamagata)

The Opportunity

Lead the Supply Management Group to ensure a stable and compliant supply of finished goods for the domestic market and bulk products for regional markets. This role integrates supply planning, production planning, inventory management, stakeholder collaboration, operational excellence, and people development.

Key Responsibilities

• Align group priorities and targets with departmental objectives and performance indicators.

• Ensure a stable supply of finished goods to domestic markets and bulk products to regional markets while meeting local, global, quality, and customer requirements.

• Establish and coordinate procurement plans for APIs, excipients, packaging materials, and bulk products, together with production plans for bulk and finished products.

• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and manage supply performance using indicators such as OTIF, DOI, TPT, inventory value, and excess or obsolete inventory.

• Design and manage production capacity in line with the five-year forecast, ensuring productivity and operational flexibility.

• Develop strong working relationships with material suppliers, third-party logistics providers, CMOs, BI network sites, and internal functions.

• Prepare and execute supply plans for successful new product launches, including timely issue resolution and stakeholder alignment.

• Promote continuous improvement, risk mitigation, business continuity, and SCM best practices across the BI network.

• Ensure compliance with GMP, Data Integrity, EHS, quality standards, export control, and import customs clearance requirements.

• Lead organizational and talent development through coaching, guidance, and meaningful development opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; an advanced degree is preferred.

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical production planning and logistics processes.

• Strong understanding of GMP and quality requirements.

• Experience leading employees, projects, and/or business functions.

• Fluent English communication skills in reading, writing, and speaking.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and with international stakeholders.

Preferred Experience

• ERP or EWM implementation experience as a project lead, key user, or super user.

• Equipment or computerized system validation experience.

• International exposure through daily business, extended business travel, or work abroad.

Capabilities for Success

• People leadership • Cross-functional collaboration

• Learning agility

• Strategic thinking

• Stakeholder coordination

• Continuous-improvement mindset

Work location: Yamagata, Japan

Recruiter : Kuramoto