Alexion is poised to become the global leader in rare diseases by 2027, expanding to over 100 countries and launching five new medicines by 2030. The Head of Global S&OP & Resilience will lead and optimize Global Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP) at enterprise level within AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease unit, synchronizing demand forecasts, production capabilities, and inventory to reliably meet patient and customer needs. This role shapes the long-term supply chain risk strategy, drives innovation across the end-to-end network, and partners with senior leaders to ensure our supply chain remains robust, sustainable, and ready for the future. Ready to turn complex global challenges into clear, decisive action that directly impacts people living with rare diseases?
Accountabilities Lead the Global S&OP process across the Rare Disease enterprise, ensuring a single, aligned view of demand, supply, and inventory that supports strategic growth ambitions. Establish, track, and continuously refine key performance indicators to improve S&OP effectiveness and drive alignment across Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, GMMA, Commercial and other key functions. Design and own the S&OP annual calendar, setting clear milestones and priorities that connect operational plans with long-term business objectives. Create and maintain high-quality, standardized templates and materials for all Global S&OP meetings and governance forums to enable consistent decision-making. Ensure robust preparation, execution, and adherence to global financial planning processes linked to S&OP, including Long-Term Planning (LTP), Medium-Term Planning (MTP), and Phased Budget (PB). Develop and launch an Integrated Business Planning (IBP) roadmap that elevates S&OP governance and strengthens enterprise-wide planning discipline. Identify and champion AI and automation opportunities within the Global S&OP process, embedding them into broader roadmap plans to enhance speed and insight. Facilitate S&OP forums at executive level, driving consensus on demand and supply plans, including clear articulation of risks and opportunities. Define a long-term global end-to-end supply chain risk strategy that integrates sustainability, resilience, and future evolution in line with company goals. Represent the supply chain function in enterprise risk management forums, ensuring supply perspectives shape broader risk decisions. Continuously scan market trends, industry developments, and the competitive landscape to anticipate opportunities and threats, engaging external partners for benchmarking where valuable. Identify and deliver innovation and improvement initiatives across the end-to-end supply chain to strengthen competitiveness and reliability. Cultivate a culture of integrity, inclusion, and respect where diverse perspectives are valued and teams feel connected to the mission of serving people living with rare diseases.
Essential Skills/Experience • Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, particularly with VP-level executives. • Over 12 years of progressive experience in leadership roles within the supply chain and future supply chain design. • Proven experience leading Executive Sales & Operational Planning and/or Integrated Business Planning at the enterprise level. • Demonstrated expertise in supply chain process re-engineering and project management. • Proven track record of implementing lean practices. • Experience in leading strategic-level transformation and change management initiatives. • Exemplary business partnership and collaboration skills to ensure a holistic enterprise view. • Experience leading global teams and initiatives with significant impact within the life sciences sector. • Ability to work effectively with abstract situations that have cross-functional and enterprise impact. • Proactively anticipate market factors influencing future supply chain strategies and develop plans to address them. • Proven ability to lead and influence senior stakeholders to achieve cross-functional alignment while balancing operational requirements with strategic planning.
Desirable Skills/Experience • Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field; a Master's Degree is preferred. • Supply Chain Certification, such as APICS, is desirable
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power toinspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challengeperceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But thatdoesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.
AstraZeneca offers the scale of a global biopharmaceutical leader with the energy of a focused biotech environment, where closeness to patients shapes decisions every day and rare disease work has visible impact on individuals, families, and communities. Colleagues collaborate across disciplines with curiosity and courage, encouraged to challenge assumptions, share ideas openly, and grow through tailored development that deepens both expertise and understanding of patients’ lived experiences. Diversity of background and thought is actively valued, integrity guides how decisions are made, and people are empowered to act with purpose so that every improvement in science, operations, or supply can help build a better tomorrow for those living with rare conditions.
Date Posted
15-Jun-2026
Closing Date
12-Jul-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.
