Planning Excellence Lead

For professionals in Supply Chain Planning, this Director-level opportunity at GSK presents a compelling chance to drive significant impact within a leading global biopharma company. GSK's ambitious commercial goals, including a target of £40 billion in annual sales by 2031, underscore a dynamic and growth-oriented environment. This role is central to achieving those ambitions by ensuring robust and efficient end-to-end supply chain planning.

This position is ideal for a strategic thinker with a passion for optimizing complex processes. If you thrive on simplifying challenges, influencing diverse stakeholders, and leveraging data to achieve measurable business results, this role offers a platform for substantial career advancement.

Advantages for Candidates:

• Strategic Impact: You will be accountable for critical planning processes, including the annual budget, directly influencing GSK's ability to meet its bold commercial and health impact goals.
• Process Innovation: This role provides a unique opportunity to lead improvements in planning processes, tools, and ways of working, fostering faster, more confident decision-making and building a more resilient supply chain.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: The position demands collaboration across demand, manufacturing, and inventory functions, offering broad exposure and the chance to build a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end supply chain.
• Technology and Analytics Focus: You'll have the opportunity to embed best practices in analytics and automation, translating complex data science into tangible business value and driving the adoption of new technologies.
• Career Development: Working in a large, complex, and highly regulated industry like pharmaceuticals, coupled with GSK's commitment to innovation and scientific excellence, provides a fertile ground for continuous learning and professional growth.
• Global Reach and Hybrid Working: This role offers the chance to contribute to global health outcomes from key international locations (UK, Belgium, Spain, Poland) with a flexible, hybrid working model.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Extensive Experience Required: Candidates should possess substantial experience in supply chain planning, inventory optimization, and integrated business planning within large, multi-site organizations. Experience in pharmaceutical or similarly regulated industries is highly advantageous.
• Change Management Proficiency: The ability to lead change management initiatives and drive capability uplift within a broad planning community is crucial. This involves coaching, training, and practical support to ensure the adoption of new ways of working and technologies.
• Stakeholder Influence: Success in this role hinges on exceptional communication and influencing skills. You must be adept at simplifying complex planning concepts for diverse audiences, from operational teams to senior executives, and building alignment across functional boundaries.
• Analytical and Data Science Acumen: A strong understanding of how to apply analytics, automation, and AI to planning processes, along with the ability to translate data science outputs into business value, is essential.
• Project and Program Management Skills: Robust skills in project and program management, including governance, stakeholder engagement, and benefit tracking, are necessary to successfully execute cross-functional initiatives.
• Intellectual Rigor and Curiosity: The role requires a proactive and curious mindset, with the ability to delve into data, challenge assumptions, and design pragmatic solutions.

This Director of Planning Excellence role at GSK is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to shape the future of supply chain operations in a company dedicated to improving global health. If you are a results-oriented leader with a proven track record and a desire to make a meaningful difference, this position warrants serious consideration for your career progression.