Purpose Statement:
The Head of Supply Chain is accountable for ensuring the reliable, compliant, and cost-effective supply of AbbVie’s products to the Japan market. This role leads Supply Chain Planning (excluding Demand Planning), Logistics Operations (including import, warehousing, order management, and distribution), and External Manufacturing activities. In addition, the position owns new product launch readiness, product change management, and supplier management. The role partners closely with global functions, local cross-functional teams, and external partners to optimize end-to-end supply chain performance, strengthen operational resilience, and drive service and cost excellence.
Major Responsibilities:
Lead Supply Chain Planning (excluding Demand Planning)
- Lead end-to-end supply planning for the Japan market.
- Develop and optimize supply plans across domestic and international contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and suppliers.
- Manage inventory strategy, safety stock policies, and actions to mitigate shortage and excess inventory risks.
- Partner closely with global planning teams to secure supply and align production plans.
- Identify supply risks and implement mitigation plans and CAPAs.
Lead Logistics Operations
- Oversee all import activities, including customs clearance, incoming inspections, and inbound logistics.
- Manage GDP-compliant warehousing, inventory control, and storage operations.
- Lead order management and customer distribution activities to ensure high service levels, including OTIF performance.
- Manage and optimize 3PL partnerships, including KPI and SLA governance.
- Drive cost efficiency across transportation, warehousing, import processes, and distribution networks.
Lead External Manufacturing (CMO Management)
- Manage relationships with CMOs and external partners, ensuring adherence to production schedules, capacity, and quality requirements.
- Lead supply chain project management for new product introductions (commercialization, technology transfer, launch readiness).
- Oversee product change management (change control), including supply impact assessments and implementation planning.
- Support audits, compliance, and quality issue resolution in collaboration with Quality Assurance.
Lead and develop the Supply Chain team
- Provide leadership, coaching and development for Supply chain team members, including Planning, Logistics, External Manufacturing
- Build organizational capability through coaching, goal setting, and performance management.
Serve as cross-functional lead for new product launches and supply chain initiatives
- Supply chain activities for new product launches, process enhancements, and contract related initiatives, building robust supply chain processes and supporting new business models.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
- Partner closely with affiliate leadership such as Commercial, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, Finance and Medical, including Operations, as well as external manufacturers and 3PLs to align priorities and drive business results.
Oversee distribution center performance and operational reliability
- Manage key KPIs such as OTIF, inventory days, supply reliability, logistics performance, and SLA compliance.
- Actively participate in S&OP/IBP processes, contributing the supply-side perspective.
- Optimize cost, service, and quality balance across the end-to-end supply chain.
- Ensure readiness for audits and inspections (GMP/GDP) from a supply chain standpoint.
Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement
- Identify improvement opportunities by tracking forecast accuracy, inventory health, service levels, customer service performance, and write-off costs and lead actions and project to improve outcomes.
Represent the affiliate at senior level on supply chain matters
- Act as a senior supply chain leader within the affiliate, influencing decisions, aligning stakeholders and ensuring supply chain strategies support overall business objectives.