Group Manager, Supply Chain Management - Japan

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

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.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications: 

• 15+ years of progressive supply chain experience in pharmaceuticals or related life sciences industries.
• Proven leadership across multiple supply chain domains, including planning, logistics, and external manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of GDP/GMP requirements and Japanese regulatory expectations.
• Demonstrated experience in CMO management, new product introduction, and change control processes.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills in both Japanese and English.
• 5+ years of people management experience, with a strong track record of cross-functional leadership and team development.

Preferred Skills: 

• Experience in global pharmaceutical organizations with strong cross-border and matrix collaboration.
• Hands-on experience with S&OP and logistics operations.
• Strong strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and decision-making capabilities.
• Project management certification, such as PMP, is an advantage.
• Experience using digital supply chain systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms.

Additional Information

アッヴィは、機会均等を重視する雇用主であり、誠実な企業活動、革新の推進、人々の生活への貢献、そして地域社会への貢献に努めています。雇用機会均等に向けて、障がいを持つ方々も積極的に支援しています。