Our goal is not just to increase access, but to do so in a sustainable and responsible way:
* finding the right balance between guaranteed quality, reliable supply and appropriate pricing. Our aim is to excel at all three, ensuring we never compromise on quality.
* to protect our environment (carbon footprint, natural resources), as well as to champion diversity, equity and inclusion across our company and beyond.
The Lean Manager for Warehousing & Distribution focuses on optimizing warehouse operations using Lean principles to improve productivity efficiency, reduce waste, streamline processes, and achieve best in class and highly competitive logistics operations. This role involves overseeing the daily activities of warehousing, ensuring that resources are used effectively, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives to support organizational goals.
This role can be based in Spain, Slovenia and Czechia, It requires frequent travels to our partners' warehouses (around 40%) around the globe (Europe, US, Canada, Australia, ...) to identify improvements on site.
Your Responsibilities Will Include
* Process Optimization: Identify and eliminate inefficiencies in warehousing processes such as receiving, inventory management, picking, packing, and shipping through Lean methodologies (e.g., 5S, Value Stream Mapping).
* Waste Reduction: Apply Lean principles to minimize waste in areas like overstocking, excess motion, waiting time, and underutilized space, ensuring smooth flow and high productivity.
* Training and Development: Train warehouse staff on Lean techniques and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Conduct workshops and coaching sessions to build awareness and improve performance.
* Performance Metrics: Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to warehousing, such as order accuracy, picking efficiency, inventory turnover, and on-time shipping. Use data to drive improvements.
* Continuous Improvement Projects: Lead Kaizen events, root cause analysis, and other improvement projects within the warehouse, ensuring successful implementation and sustainable results, guaranteeing repeatability and scalability throughout all sites.
* Change management: work with supplier´s operations teams and warehouse managers to guarantee seamless implementation and knowledge transfer.
* Travel Requirement: This is a highly mobile role requiring frequent on-site presence at different warehouse locations. The Lean Manager will be stationed at a warehouse for a defined period, driving improvements, and then transitioning to the next location.
Key Performance Indicators
* Continuous improvement projects identified and implemented (operational)
* Productivity savings delivered (Financial)
* Warehousing services optimization
What You Need To Bring To The Role
* University/Advanced level degree needed. Master’s Degree/other advanced degree in the Economics, Finance, Engineering or related areas is preferred.
* >10 years of relevant business experience in Lean management, with a focus in the Warehousing & Distribution domain.
* Fluent English is essential, other languages valuable.
* Strong understanding of Lean principles and tools applied to warehousing and logistics.
* Green Belt or Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma certification or comparable practical experience in Lean project management.
* Proven experience in warehouse management, logistics, or operations.
* Strong analytical abilities that support fact-based decision-making and the interpretation of operational data.
* Excellent leadership, coaching, and team-building skills.
* Outstanding stakeholder management abilities to coordinate cross-functional departments, senior leadership, and operational teams.
* Knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS) and inventory control methods.
* Experience overseeing high-impact, short-cycle projects with an emphasis on execution
* Strong problem-solving and change management skills.
* A Proactive, hands-on approach to improving warehouse operations and ensuring that Lean methodologies are fully integrated into daily practices.
* Understanding of compliance and regulatory standards for warehouse management, especially in highly regulated industries like pharmaceuticals.
Why Sandoz?
Generic and Biosimilar medicines are the backbone of the global medicines industry. Sandoz, a leader in this sector, touched the lives of almost 500 million patients last year and while we are proud of this achievement, we have an ambition to do more!
With investments in new development capabilities, state-of-the-art production sites, new acquisitions, and partnerships, we have the opportunity to shape the future of Sandoz and help more patients gain access to low-cost, high-quality medicines, sustainably.
Our momentum and entrepreneurial spirit is powered by an open, collaborative culture driven by our talented and ambitious colleagues, who, in return for applying their skills experience an agile and collegiate environment with impactful, flexible-hybrid careers, where diversity is welcomed and where personal growth is encouraged!
The future is (y)ours to shape!
Commitment To Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Join our Sandoz Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Sandoz and our career opportunities, visit Sandoz.com/careers
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