Sr. Director, Global Logistics & Distribution

About the Role

West is a dedicated team connected by a purpose to improve patient lives, with a legacy spanning over a century. The Senior Director, Global Logistics, Warehousing & Distribution is an enterprise-level executive responsible for designing, governing, and executing West’s global distribution and logistics strategy across all regions and businesses. This role ensures compliant, resilient, and cost-effective movement of pharmaceutical packaging components, drug delivery systems, and high-value containment products across a global network of manufacturing plants, distribution centers, 3PL partners, and customer sites.

The leader will architect and lead a next-generation global distribution network supporting regulated pharmaceutical and biologics customers, specialty handling requirements, margin expansion, working capital optimization, risk mitigation, and customer experience improvements through OTIF and lead time. This role is a key member of the Global Supply Chain Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

• Global Logistics & Distribution Strategy
  • Define and execute a multi-year global logistics and distribution strategy aligned to West’s enterprise growth objectives.
  • Design the future-state global warehouse and distribution network, including site footprint optimization, regional DC strategy, 3PL governance model, and automation roadmap.
  • Develop global transportation strategy (ocean, air, ground, expedited).
  • Establish global service level agreements (SLAs) and customer delivery performance standards.
  • Architect distribution capability to support new product introductions and platform expansion.
• Regulatory & Quality Compliance
  • Ensure full compliance with FDA regulations, ISO standards, GDP/GMP/GSP requirements, and international trade and customs regulations.
  • Maintain inspection readiness for global regulatory audits.
  • Ensure traceability and product integrity across distribution channels.
• Network Optimization & Digital Transformation
  • Lead global WMS, TMS, and ERP integration initiatives.
  • Deploy advanced visibility and analytics tools to improve OTIF (On-Time-In-Full), inventory accuracy, and cost-to-serve.
  • Standardize warehouse automation strategy across regions.
  • Implement predictive analytics and risk modeling to improve resilience.
• Integrated Business Planning & Cross-Functional Alignment
  • Integrate logistics into IBPS&OP and Long-Range Strategic Financial Planning.
  • Align with Commercial, Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Finance teams.
• Risk Management and Business Continuity
  • Develop global logistics risk mitigation strategies, including dual sourcing, alternate routing, geopolitical risk planning, and trade disruption contingency planning.
  • Lead enterprise-level business continuity planning for distribution operations.
  • Oversee crisis management protocols related to logistics interruptions.
• Financial & Performance Accountability
  • Own global logistics P&L elements, including freight spend, warehousing costs, and inventory carrying costs.
  • Drive working capital improvement through inventory strategy and network design.
  • Develop KPI dashboards aligned to executive-level reporting.
  • Present global supply risk and performance updates to Executive Leadership.
• Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Build and lead a high-performing global logistics organization.
  • Influence global network of site shipping and logistics teams and 3PLs to meet objectives.
  • Oversee regional logistics directors and multi-site distribution teams.
  • Lead change management initiatives across global operations.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma).

Requirements

• Education
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business-related field (Required).
  • MBA or Master’s in Supply Chain, Business, or related field (Preferred).
• Work Experience
  • 12+ years of supply chain experience (Required).
  • 5+ years of leadership experience (Required).
  • Direct experience managing global distribution centers, transportation strategy, 3PL partnerships, and ERP/WMS/TMS implementations (Preferred).
• Skills & Abilities
  • Executive presence and enterprise influence capability.
  • Advanced financial and commercial acumen.
  • Deep expertise in global supply chain strategy and risk governance.
  • Demonstrated leadership of global, multi-regional teams.
  • Proven regulatory compliance leadership.
  • Strong negotiation and stakeholder management capability.
• Additional Requirements
  • Able to routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing systems.
  • Make independent and sound judgments.
  • Multitask, work under time constraints, problem-solve, and prioritize.
  • Excellent communicator with the ability to maintain confidentiality and resolve conflicts and ambiguity.
  • Use written and verbal communication skills effectively.
  • Read and interpret data, information, and documents to analyze and solve problems.
  • Learn and apply new information and new skills.
  • Able to comply with the company’s safety and quality policies at all times.

Travel & Physical Requirements

• Travel
  • Up to 30% travel, equivalent to 78 business days per year.
• Physical Requirements
  • Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10lbs/4kgs of force occasionally and/or negligible force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects, including the human body. Involves sitting most of the time.

Benefits

• Work Arrangement
  • Hybrid position requiring onsite presence a minimum of 3 days per week.
• Recognition & Rewards
  • Performance-based bonuses, service recognition, and employee appreciation initiatives.
• Continuous Learning & Development
  • Opportunities for professional growth through training programs, tuition assistance, leadership development, and skill-certification initiatives.
• Community Involvement
  • Encourages volunteerism through West without Borders and other charitable programs.
• Global Career Opportunities
  • Facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific provide opportunities for international exposure and cross-functional collaboration.