Director, Supply Chain – D&M Operations in Cardiff

Location: UK site‑based, Newquay or Cardiff. Travel up to 40% of the time.

Position Summary: The Director, Supply Chain – D&M Operations provides functional leadership for supply chain performance across the Discovery & Medical manufacturing sites in Newquay, Cardiff, Tonglu & Dassel. The role drives the deployment of Danaher Business System (DBS) and Danaher Material System (DMS) tools to standardise best‑in‑class materials management practices, partnering with Plant Leaders, Site Supply Chain teams, and Central Supply Chain teammates.

Key accountabilities include improved material availability, customer OTD, past‑due, and inventory optimisation, leading transition from push to pull replenishment, embedding advanced planning and scheduling practices, and consolidating OpCo‑wide supply chain performance.

What You’ll Do:

• Optimize D&M Operations‑wide performance of Supply Chain KPI’s as measured by OTD, Past‑Due, End‑to‑end Inventory value & turns, Lead Times, Schedule Attainment, Material Availability (RAW & FG) through championing the widespread adoption of Danaher Material Systems tools across all D&M sites.
• Develop and execute a global D&M materials management strategy, leading OpCo‑wide Supply Chain initiatives as part of the D&M Ops leadership team; represent D&M in cross‑OpCo initiatives, collaborating with Site Teams, Cytiva OpCo peers, and central support functions; seek further development and deployment of best‑practice processes across all D&M sites.
• Partner with senior leadership and cross‑functional teams to identify business‑critical gaps, lead kaizen events, and implement strategic initiatives that deliver measurable supply chain results.
• Lead the development of relationships, communication channels and performance improvements with key upstream suppliers and downstream supply chain partners and stakeholders for the global D&M manufacturing sites.
• Drive global programs in cost reduction, supply chain optimisation, and waste minimisation to increase customer value and profitability through implementation of innovative sourcing and material utilisation strategies that balance cost and working capital efficiency with product quality and delivery reliability; lead structured problem‑solving processes alongside site leaders and supply chain peers to resolve complex supply chain issues.
• Partner with Business Unit Leaders & Product Management Teams to deliver supply chain lead cost‑saving initiatives and ensure best‑in‑class product availability and use of working capital, minimise surplus, excess & obsolete inventory through active management of stocking policies and commercially focused supply strategies.
• Coach, mentor and develop talent at all levels, fostering a high‑performance environment and ensuring DBS best practices are embedded; develop site supply chain teams’ skills and competencies across DMS tools; provide expert mentoring, coaching and strong leadership to both site leaders and their supply chain teams; lead functional supply chain talent processes, guiding plant leaders on P4G and D4G annual plans for key supply chain leaders.

Who You Are:

• Masters or Bachelor’s degree in relevant Business, Supply Chain, Engineering or Science‑based discipline, or equivalent years of experience.
• Ten years of progressive multi‑site manufacturing supply chain leadership in a high‑volume, lean‑driven manufacturing environment, ideally in Life Sciences or a similar regulated industry.
• Expert problem‑solving skills – ability to resolve complex problems, communicate issues and propose solutions to both external customers and internal team members.
• High level analytical, presentation and interpersonal skills – able to communicate and present ideas in a way that produces understanding and impact that builds effective problem‑solving and ongoing relationships among peers and leaders.
• Ability to operate effectively in a multi‑tasking, dynamic environment, while maintaining a forward‑thinking and customer‑first attitude.
• Ability to energise, develop and build rapport, collaborate and influence at all levels within an organisation; act as inspirational leader with optimism, highly approachable and humble.
• Ability to travel up to 40% of the time.