At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the supply chain strategy and ensure reliable product supply for animal health.
- Company: Join Elanco, a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovation and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace a hands-on approach and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on animal health while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in supply chain leadership, preferably in regulated industries.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets.
At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success.
Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
Your role
As Director of Supply Chain, you will be a key member of the Speke Site Leadership Team, shaping the site's supply chain strategy and ensuring reliable product supply across manufacturing operations.
You'll lead the end-to-end supply chain function, balancing customer demand, manufacturing capacity, inventory, and operational priorities while driving continuous improvement across the site.
Working closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, and Commercial teams, you'll play a critical role in delivering business performance and supporting future growth.
This role is for you if you are a leader who is equally comfortable setting strategic direction and spending time on the manufacturing floor understanding challenges first-hand.
You'll be an excellent communicator who knows how to adapt your style to different audiences - from senior leaders to frontline teams - building trust, influencing decisions, and creating alignment across the business.
You'll bring a naturally curious and hands-on approach to problem solving.
Rather than managing issues from behind a desk, you'll enjoy getting to the source of problems, engaging with teams, and working collaboratively to identify practical, sustainable solutions.
Most importantly, you'll be passionate about developing people, creating a culture of continuous improvement, and inspiring teams to challenge existing ways of working in pursuit of operational excellence.
Your Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the site's Supply Chain strategy as part of the Site Leadership Team.
- Lead Master Scheduling, Manufacturing Scheduling, Raw Material Planning, and Warehousing to ensure reliable product supply.
- Own the site S&OP process, balancing customer demand, manufacturing capacity, and inventory.
- Hands-on experience using SAP for supply chain planning, inventory management, and operational processes.
- Drive service performance through OTIF delivery, effective planning, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Lead strategic supply chain initiatives including product launches, technology transfers, insourcing, and continuous improvement projects.
- Provide leadership for warehousing, inventory management, and third-party logistics providers.
- Develop sourcing strategies for raw materials to ensure continuity of supply.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Supply Chain team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Champion Lean principles and the Elanco Operating System (ELOS) to improve operational performance and eliminate waste.
What You Need to Succeed (Minimum Qualifications)
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
- At least 10 years of leadership experience within Supply Chain, Operations, or Manufacturing in a regulated industry.
- Proven experience leading end-to-end supply chain operations within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Strong experience leading Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), production planning, inventory management, and customer supply.
- Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams.
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge
- Experience leading supply chain transformation or continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lean, Six Sigma Green Belt (or equivalent).
- Experience supporting product launches, technology transfers, or manufacturing network changes.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders across multiple functions.
- Experience working within GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.
Don’t meet every single requirement?
Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.
At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment.
If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply.
You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and 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
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills.
These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions.
All decisions involve a human reviewer.
For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our
Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
Director, Supply Chain employer: Elanco
Elanco is an excellent employer that champions a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, making it an ideal environment for professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the field of quality control. Located in Liverpool, employees benefit from a collaborative atmosphere that encourages continuous improvement and offers ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, alongside the chance to engage in strategic initiatives across a global laboratory network.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Supply Chain
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Elanco, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Director, Supply Chain.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Supply Chain
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Elanco. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Elanco and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elanco
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Elanco.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Elanco
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Elanco might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
