Director, Distribution & Transportation

Job Summary

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Global Supply Chain Logistics, this role is responsible directly or indirectly for all Canadian and Rest of the World Distribution activities (excluding US), and the Global Transportation related functions - including all forms of Freight and Transportation; Freight Forwarding; Customs Clearance supporting our Operations and 3rd Party Manufacturers and Packagers globally.

The Director, Distribution and Transportation is responsible for all aspects of storage and distribution of product whether internal or external at 3PL/4PLs including the operation of the Toronto Distribution Centre and the AA Pharma Distribution Center,ensuring all work is performed in compliance with Safe Work Practices, cGMP, current Standard Operating Procedures, and company policies. The incumbent must foster a safety, quality and cost culture, and routinely assess all distribution operations through the utilization of external benchmarks ensuring future needs are met.

This role will also be accountable and responsible to manage all domestic and international freight forwarding and transportation requirements supporting our internal and external manufacturing network, ensuring strategies related to the inbound and outbound movement of goods and materials are built and implemented based on global transportation trends.

The scope of Transportation spend depending on market considerations can range from $50-60MM per year. This role is responsible for managing the performance of all areas of cost within scope , gain visibility and consolidate all transportation costs for the network in a holistic manner, and establish data driven KPIs and analytics that generate actionable insights, generate volume and spend forecasts, and drive optimized decision making. The role is responsible for routinely assessing and preparing for the future needs based on evolving industry best practices by working closely with internal customers and external providers. This role will leverage external partners and develop key supplier relationships to support evolving business and customer requirements.

Serves in a strategic supply chain role, providing leadership and direction in the development, deployment and implementation of programs, systems, initiatives or functions related to the compliance, handling, control, and coordination of transportation related systems and processes.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide visible, results-oriented leadership that drives continuous improvement consistent with Apotex Global Ops strategic plan. Evaluate and implement process improvements and develop programs to ensure the efficient and cost effective operation and utilization of the Toronto and AA Pharma Distribution Centers, and any externals 3PLs/4PLs.
• Monitor KPIs to evaluate distribution center performance, pinpoint areas for improvement, and implement corrective measures. Achieve Safety, Quality, Service and Continuous Improvement targets.
• Routinely assess the operation to prepare for the future business needs by working closely with internal and external stakeholders and driving recommendations to enable Apotex's future growth by leading the right-sizing of our logistics network.
• Lead the integration of new 3PL partners into the Apotex logistics network by documenting business requirements, owning operational activities oversight, establishing KPIs, Business Reviews, and acting as a liaison with internal stakeholders.
• Leads the planning and development of global transportation annual budgets and quarterly revisions of all lanes and regions, in close collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
• Manage the monitoring and performance of all areas of cost within scope based on total budget; validate, analyze and communicate monthly cost variances.
• Responsible to work with Global Procurement, as the business owner, to ensure all Transportation and Distribution related Contracts are current and valid.
• Responsible to collaborate with EMQ, Global Quality Services, Legal and Procurement to ensure all QAA Transportation Agreements are current and valid.
• Ensure risk mitigation strategies are developed and implemented, supporting any risk identified in freight and logistics potentially impacting short and long term supply.
• Actively participate and support Trade Compliance initiatives to ensure products comply with all relevant regulations in the country of Importation/Exportation in a timely manner; to identify, assess and improve the current processes used by Apotex and its agents, where required.
• Provide leadership in the evaluation of various modes of transportation to support business requirements (i.e., movement of goods via air or sea) considering cost, service, and performance, making recommendations to Senior Leadership for approval when required.
• Participate and lead performance conversations with employees, including monthly one on ones, to connect on performance and reinforce and encourage high performance culture and a safe working environment for all employees.
• Utilize open, honest, two-way communication to build trust-based relationships with employees, business partners and direct leader while continuously improving leadership capabilities by personally seeking feedback and development.
• Create a culture which values trust and provides the opportunity for employee development and growth in pursuit of our purpose and demonstrating our core Values - Collaboration, Courage, Perseverance and Passion.
• Utilize your networks to attract and hire talent in a comprehensive, differentiated and consistent manner essential to our continued growth; then, onboard new employees by providing a consistent experience that reflects the values and commitments made to candidates during the hiring process.
• Ensure adherence of team members (direct reports) with all compliance programs and company policies and procedures.

Job Requirements

• Education
  • University degree in Business, Science or a Supply Chain/Operations discipline.
  • Masters in Business Administration and/or PMP certification considered an asset.
  • CITT CCLP certification, ASCM CPIM certification, or Serialization related certifications an asset.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Strong Logistics, Distribution, Warehousing and Transportation background.
  • Strong understanding of enterprise systems (e.g. SAP), organizational business processes and supply chain practices, including expert level understanding of the flow of materials and information.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of pharmaceutical products (technical/scientific and commercial), preferably learned through experience working in multiple roles within the pharma industry.
  • Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, suitable for senior level interaction both within the company and with 3rd party providers.
  • Excellent knowledge of INCO terms, AMPs, TDG by Ground and Air, FDA and DEA terms and requirements.
  • Ability to work in a matrix organization and in a fast-paced environment that is continuously changing, demonstrating an ability to champion change and drive improvements.
  • Strong ability to deal with ambiguity and manage through difficult situations.
  • Cross functional team leadership with the ability build consensus.
  • Excellent ability to delegate and can effect change through others without direct involvement
  • Strong influence, negotiation, conflict management, analytical and presentation skills.
  • Excellent influence, negotiation analytical, and people leadership skills.
  • Knowledge of regulatory guidelines and quality/compliance requirements for all major markets.
• Experience
  • 10+ years experience in Distribution, Transportation, regulatory/quality/technical operations, supply chain.
  • Proven experience in overseeing and managing 3PL warehousing and 3PL distribution operations.
  • Experience in GMP environment or pharmaceutical environment is an asset.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading a large workforce.
  • Excellent understanding of ERP/SAP processes, supply planning, inventory management, and master data.
  • Experience with FDA and HPFBI inspections.