Supply Chain Specialist (Logistics)

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Job Description

About BioLife Plasma Services

BioLife Plasma Services, a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, is an industry leader in the collection of high-quality plasma, which is processed into life-saving plasma-based therapies. Some diseases can only be treated with medicines made with plasma. Since plasma can’t be made synthetically, many people rely on plasma donors to live healthier, happier lives. BioLife operates 250+ state-of-the-art plasma donation centers across the United States. Our employees are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for patients and ensuring that the donation process is safe, straightforward, and rewarding for donors who wish to make a positive impact. When you work at BioLife, you’ll feel good knowing that what we do helps improve the lives of patients with rare diseases. While you focus on our donors, we’ll support you. We offer a purpose you can believe in, a team you can count on, opportunities for career growth, and a comprehensive benefits program, all in a fast-paced, friendly environment.

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

The BioLife Supply Chain Specialist plays a critical role in optimizing the logistics and supply chain operations for US BioLife plasma centers. This position is responsible for coordinating shipping logistics, managing plant deliveries, and preparing detailed shipment release reports for Finance and other cross-functional teams.

The specialist will establish and maintain strong relationships with BioLife and third-party plasma centers, delivery plants, and 3PL vendors to ensure seamless operations. With a focus on problem-solving and collaboration, the specialist will work with IT Support to resolve system issues and recommend improvements to supply chain efficiencies through ERP systems and processes.

The role involves leading change management efforts to ensure the successful adoption of new processes and maximizing the utilization of integrated systems. By leveraging data mining, the specialist will develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) and share insights with management. The specialist is also responsible for overseeing global plasma logistics activities, including logistics planning, plasma center pickup schedules, inventory control, transportation, warehouse storage, and third-party logistics (3PL) management.

Through cross-functional collaboration with Supply Chain, Production Planning, Warehousing, GMS, and Quality teams, the specialist will ensure all plasma requirements are met in compliance with GXP and audit standards. Additionally, the role involves providing logistics support and transportation updates to BioLife Centers, tracking monthly inventory levels, and managing third-party shipments and receipts.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• The BioLife Supply Chain Specialist plays a key role in managing the plasma inventory lifecycle across the BioLife network, including Third-Party plasma. The role will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams—Planning, Finance, Quality, and IT—to ensure accurate inventory reconciliation, efficient shipping coordination, and supply chain reporting. This role also supports the resolution of system issues, data-driven performance management, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Collaborating with the US & EU Finance team on Supply Chain Operations to ensure inventory accuracy and timely reporting.
• Leverage technology to streamline the inventory reconciliation process and ensure a successful month-end finance close.
• Collaborate with Logistics Service providers to improve inventory data accuracy and visibility (RxC and BPL).
• Identify root cause of issues, assign ownership and accountability (Business Functions, IT Support, Service Providers).
• Successfully complete training with SC members to provide backup
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and reduce dependence on Excel-based tracking.
• Track plasma at off-site storage locations, including specialty plasma shipments and inventory
• Collaborate with transportation providers and plasma centers to ensure timely plasma deliveries.
• Coordinate shipping logistics for specialty plasma based on delivery targets and/or contract commitments.
• Schedule ocean container demands with the ocean carrier for shipments.
• Produce customs documents for all ocean shipments.
• Generate required documentation for shipments to Vienna.
• Communicate/coordinate plasma shipments with current transportation companies and with the plasma centers.
• Maintain upload and storage of archived logistics documents in Veeva.
• Other projects and cross-functional work as assigned.
• Work with other team members to review all plasma shipments to ensure accurate item numbers and consignees.
• Work with the US BioLife center and IT to resolve any plasma shipment errors.
• Work with the US BioLife center and the third-party transportation provider to resolve any plasma pick-up issues.
• Prepare the required plasma shipment documentation required by the consignee to receive plasma.
• Create electronic shipment files and ensure files are accurate and available for the consignee prior to receipt of plasma.
• Create and release plasma shipments for US BioLife centers using PSA and the Donor Information System when required.  Utilize reports to determine the correct item number and consignee for each plasma shipment.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

• Logistics and inventory planning processes and systems, including SAP and other Supply Chain software tools.
• Strong knowledge of Power BI, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Understanding of the principles of Lean and Six Sigma applied to Supply Chain
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
• Basic knowledge of FDA regulations

Leadership

• Think Strategically
• Inspire Others
• Deliver Priorities
• Elevate Capabilities

Decision-making and Autonomy

• Ability to make decisions quickly with centers, 3PP Supplier, and Logistics service providers.
• Ability to drive decisions through Influence.

Interaction

• Good communication skills with various center and corporate teams.
• Strong capability to engage, communicate, and work effectively with individuals of varying job levels, geographic locations, and dispositions

Innovation

• Identify process improvements and implement.
• Inventory tracking & usage systems design, implementation, and optimization.

Complexity

• Ability to multitask day-to-day tasks.
• Ability to break down complex situations into manageable pieces
• Conceptualizes the big picture and considers the upstream and downstream impact of decisions

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Management, or other relevant field.
• Preferred 3 or more years of experience in various and growing supply chain roles or operational roles, or comparable experience.
• Interpersonal skills and communication skills to interact with various internal stakeholders
• Must be able to prioritize in a busy environment.
• Must be fluent in English.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Ability to work full-time with some after-hours work dependent on business needs
• US-Domestic Travel: Up to 10%

BioLife Compensation and Benefits Summary

For Location:

Bannockburn, IL

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$86,500.00 - $135,960.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.  The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location. 

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations

Bannockburn, IL

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

Yes