Interim Head of Supply Chain – Phase III Biotech (Hybrid, Switzerland)
Location: Switzerland (Remote – occasional site presence)
Contract: 12-month initial contract (4 days per week)
Start: ASAP
Stage: Phase III Clinical / Pre-Commercial
Modality: Biologic's
The Company
A well-funded, late-stage biotech headquartered in Switzerland is entering a critical Phase III and pre-commercialisation phase. With pivotal trials underway and a first commercial launch targeted within the next 24 months, the company is building its end-to-end supply chain capability from the ground up.
This is a hands-on, build-and-lead role for a senior supply chain leader who has previously ran global supply chains in a biotech or pharma environment.
The Role
The Interim Head of Supply Chain will be responsible for designing, building, and operationalising the entire supply chain function, ensuring readiness for Phase III supply and future commercial launch.
You will act as the single accountable owner of supply chain strategy and execution, covering:
Logistics & distribution
Demand planning & forecasting
Procurement & external vendor management
Commercial supply readiness
Financial & legal interfaces related to supply agreements
This role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution, working closely with Clinical, CMC, MSAT, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Legal, and external partners (CDMOs, 3PLs, CMOs).
Key Responsibilities
Design and implement a global end-to-end supply chain strategy suitable for Phase III and commercial scale.
Build supply chain processes, governance, and operating models from scratch.
Own demand planning and forecasting for clinical and future commercial supply.
Lead logistics strategy, including cold chain where applicable, global distribution, and 3PL selection.
Oversee procurement strategy, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and vendor performance.
Ensure commercial supply readiness, including launch planning, inventory strategy, and network design.
Act as primary supply chain interface with Finance and Legal on budgets, supply agreements, and risk management.
Manage external partners (CDMOs, API/DS/DP suppliers, packaging & labeling vendors).
Support regulatory inspections and audits related to supply chain readiness.
Build and mentor the future permanent supply chain organisation.
Required Experience
Experience in biotech or pharma supply chain leadership.
Proven experience / contribution to building a supply chain function from scratch in a Phase II/III or pre-commercial environment.
Strong background across:
Logistics & distribution
Forecasting & demand planning
Procurement & vendor management
Commercial supply preparation
Experience working with biologics (mAbs, recombinant proteins, or similar).
Deep understanding of GMP/GDP environments.
Comfortable operating in a lean, fast-moving biotech with high ambiguity.
Strong cross-functional stakeholder management (CMC, QA, Regulatory, Finance, Legal).
Prior experience in Switzerland or EU biotech environments strongly preferred.
Nice to Have
Launch experience (first commercial product).
Exposure to cold-chain biologics or combination products.
Previous interim or consultancy-style leadership roles.
Experience scaling from clinical to commercial supply within 18–24 months.
Why This Role
Rare opportunity to own and build an entire supply chain function.
High visibility role reporting into executive leadership.
Critical to the company’s Phase III success and commercial future.
Flexible remote setup with long-term strategic impact.
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