Head of EU Supply Chain (Director)

Find your purpose

Pleased to meet you, we are Galapagos, a dynamic growing Biotech company with offices across Europe and in the US, headquartered in Mechelen, Belgium.

We are in the business of changing lives. Focusing on high unmet medical needs, we synergize compelling science, technology, and collaborative approaches to create a deep pipeline of best-in-class medicines. With capabilities from lab to patient, including a decentralized cell therapy manufacturing platform, we are committed to challenging the status quo and delivering results for our patients, employees, and shareholders. Our goal is not just to meet current medical needs but to anticipate and shape the future of healthcare, ensuring that our innovations reach those who need them most.

We pioneer for patients. We need thought leaders and rapid thinkers, entrepreneurs in spirit and status quo-fighters. Collaborative innovators and perseverant idealists. We need the best-in-class. In other words, we need you: The ‘make-it-happener’.

We are looking for a Head of EU Supply Chain (Director) - Leiden, Netherlands

Scope of the Role

We are seeking a seasoned and dynamic Head of EU Supply Chain (Director), to lead and manage our end-to-end supply chain activities across our EU cell therapy operations. This leadership role at Director-level will be based in Leiden and will oversee all aspects of warehousing, logistics, planning and transportation, ensuring the highest levels of efficiency, compliance, and performance in alignment with our corporate objectives.

Your Role

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all supply chain functions, including warehousing, inbound logistics, inventory management, and outbound shipping processes.
• Direct and manage a team of senior supply chain professionals, including Warehouse, Logistics and Transport Managers, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership across all supply chain functions, including warehousing, inbound logistics, inventory management, outbound shipping, and kitting processes.
• Ensure the flawless execution of kitting and packing activities, including the assembly and accurate delivery of materials and components for production.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including procurement, production, and quality assurance, as well as with external stakeholders such as suppliers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers, to drive operational efficiency and optimize supply chain performance.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that enhance the effectiveness of our supply chain operations, ensuring alignment with business goals and industry best practices.
• Oversee the integration and optimization of SAP within supply chain operations, ensuring seamless coordination between systems and processes.
• Define, monitor, and report on key operational KPIs (e.g., OTIF, inventory accuracy, and space utilization) to ensure the highest levels of operational performance and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, including GMP standards, and manage all related documentation, including deviations, CAPAs, and change controls.
• Lead efforts to continuously improve processes and systems, ensuring that our supply chain operations remain agile, scalable, and responsive to the evolving needs of the business.
• Champion employee development through training programs and onboarding initiatives, ensuring that the supply chain team remains highly skilled and capable of meeting the challenges of a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Job requirements

Who are you?

• Master's or Bachelor’s Degree
• Experienced leader with a proven track record in the distribution of pharmaceutical ingredients and leading large-scale operations. Experience in the areas of cell/gene therapy or biologics is a plus.
• Deep expertise in supply chain management.
• Skilled in day-to-day coordination and development within a dynamic and continuously evolving environment.
• Capable of bringing structure and stability in high-pressure situations.
• Strategic thinker who is knowledgeable about GMP requirements and compliance.
• Natural leader focused on vision development, team growth, and resilience.
• Able to guide and support teams through change while fostering a collaborative and positive atmosphere.
• The successful candidate will have the ability to influence and drive change at the highest levels of the organization, ensuring that our EU supply chain operations are world-class and fully aligned with our corporate vision.

What’s in it for you?

At Galapagos, we prioritize your continuous growth and development, fostering a culture of empowerment. Our employees are the driving force behind our mission to lead in pharmaceutical research and innovation.

We offer a competitive compensation package and a supportive work environment with strong focus on your health and well-being. Join us in our journey towards sustainability, as we strive to make a lasting impact on both the industry and the planet.

We are Galapagos: together we can make it happen…!

Galapagos is dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities. Our hiring decisions are based on merit, considering qualifications, skills, performance, and achievements. We strictly prohibit discrimination against any employee or job applicant based on personal characteristics that are unrelated to their job.

Get to know us

We’re in the business of changing lives. In our quest to discover, develop and deliver life-improving medicines, we go where no one has ever gone before.