Logistics Supply Planning Lead
GCL - E
This above-site planning role designs and pilots the Logistics Supply Planning capability, integrating global logistics and freight mid-term planning into existing global planning processes within Global Supply Chain & Strategy. The role optimizes end-to-end logistics efficiency and supply emissions across brands and supply sites by influencing the global tactical plan and supply chain design within an assigned region. Acting as part of TA and brand teams for key brands, the role serves as gatekeeper to ensure logistics brand performance projections adhere to budget, that supply chain design follows business targets for cost- and emission-efficient logistics and supply, and that the tactical logistics plan is embedded in preferred planning ERP systems (OMP or SAP APO). Ready to challenge how logistics planning is done today and shape what it looks like tomorrow?
Accountabilities
- Lead the design, piloting and continuous improvement of the Logistics Supply Planning role and ways of working, embedding logistics and freight mid-term planning into global planning processes.
- Act as a key contributor to the S&OP cycle, including monthly renewal to review tactical distribution plans, identify significant deviations from budget or plan, and highlight risks in distribution plans with clear mitigation actions.
- Handle DC warehouse capacity and loading through OMP, ensuring alignment between inventory strategies, distribution flows and physical capacity.
- Participate in TA S&OPs, Brand S&OPs and Inventory Supply Consensus forums, bringing a logistics and emissions lens to decision-making and trade-offs.
- Drive event and supply chain design deviation modelling, including scenario planning for stock builds, backlog recoveries and other major events impacting logistics flows.
- Oversee exception management and monitoring, using trade-off models to ensure follow-up plans are adhered to and that overperforming supply chains are re-aligned with agreed designs where appropriate.
- Act as brand budget gatekeeper for logistics, influencing tactical plans at brand level to achieve supply chain designs that support efficient logistics and low-emission supply based on supply site production plans.
- Own expediting budgeting for logistics, working closely with global planning and Event Planning to anticipate and manage expected supply chain design deviations.
- Continuously seek global logistics opportunities across brands in the tactical horizon, building strong business-cases and trade-off analyses to support logistics efficiency and low-carbon supply (for example switching from air to alternative modes or co-loading).
- Challenge supply map designs to minimize supply emissions by supporting local or regional supply where feasible, and identify needs for new lanes and routes to optimize supply cost and emissions.
- Educate the planning community on the impact of logistics decisions on cost and emissions, building awareness and capability across the network.
- Influence budgeting and SMT processes to plan for efficient utilization of transport assets (full trucks, containers and pallets) while maintaining service and resilience.
- Collaborate closely with site operations management, planning teams, manufacturing, commercial functions and third-party partners to align end-to-end plans with logistics capabilities and sustainability goals.
- Apply robust risk management through scenario planning and trade-off management to maintain a stable supply outlook while enabling innovation in supply chain design.
- Use data-driven insights to interpret large data sets, frame critical problems, avoid overreaction to noise, get to root cause and drive corrective and preventive actions.
- Promote creative thinking in logistics supply planning, developing new processes, ideas and relationships that drive innovation and enterprise value.
- Demonstrate adaptability and resilience in managing ambiguity and uncertainty in a structured, risk-efficient way across a complex global network.
Essential Skills/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience)
- Significant experience in Supply Chain Environment (Logistics and Planning)
Advanced supply chain (inventory, capacity, and network) planning skills
- Digital literate (Data & system minded)
- Operational Experience with planning systems (ie. ERP/APS systems)
- Experience in managing and developing solutions for supply chain events.
Capacity management & modelling
- Understanding of supply chain planning parameters, master data, and master data integrity & quality.
- Experience in collaboration with the key interfaces within the end-to-end supply chain, with manufacturing, and between supply chain and commercial functions – experience working with third-party suppliers would be a bonus.
- Excellent communications and collaboration skills are required to manage a multitude of customers and stake-holders, both internal and external to AZ.
Proficient in using key Lean Tools
Desirable Skills/Experience
- A degree or equivalent in Business, Logistics, Sciences, or Engineering is preferred, equivalent experience will be taken into account.
APICS / CSCP or equivalent certification
- Lean certification
- Robust understanding of and contributing to an S&OP process.
Commercial experience
- Leadership experience
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 challenge
perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that Doesn'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 a dynamic environment where complex supply chains meet cutting-edge science, giving planners the chance to work on constant new products and launches while applying digital tools and Lean principles to real-world challenges. Teams are empowered to share ideas openly, take smart risks and experiment with new approaches that improve resilience, sustainability and speed of supply. With clear long-term growth, modern facilities, a strong focus on ethical and sustainable lifecycle management, and multiple pathways for development across technical, strategic and leadership tracks, people are encouraged to stretch their capabilities, collaborate across borders and see the direct impact of their work on patients’ lives.
Ready to break new ground in logistics supply planning and help reshape how medicines reach patients worldwide? Apply now.
Date Posted
27-Apr-2026
Closing Date
10-May-2026
AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.