Head of Supply Chain -NextPharma Oy, Tampere, Finland
Shape and develop an end-to-end supply chain operation in an international pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. Are you an experienced supply chain leader who understands how to connect production planning, procurement, logistics and customer commitments into one high-performing operation? Do you enjoy building organisations, developing processes and leading change rather than simply maintaining existing structures?
Birn+Partners is looking for a commercially minded and results-driven Head of Supply Chain to join NextPharma's Tampere site. This is a key leadership opportunity to shape the site's supply chain capabilities, strengthen operational performance and ensure reliable delivery to international pharmaceutical customers.
Your role
As Head of Supply Chain, you will take overall responsibility for the site's supply chain operations, covering covering production planning, purchasing, customer service and warehouse. Reporting directly to the Site Director, you will lead an organisation of approximately 20 professionals, with 3-4 direct reports depending on the organisational structure. You will be part of the Site Leadership team A central part of your role will be to further develop the supply chain organisation, processes and capabilities to support the site's operational and commercial objectives. A key focus of this role is not only to enhance current Supply Chain performance, but also to prepare the organization for substantial future growth by establishing scalable processes, operational excellence, and the capabilities needed to serve a rapidly expanding customer base
Your key responsibilities will include:
Warehouse and distribution: Lead warehouse operations and outbound customer deliveries, ensuring inventory accuracy, product availability and reliable distribution.
Production planning and scheduling: Take ownership of both long-term capacity planning and short-term production scheduling. Develop a dedicated detailed scheduling function and balance customer demand with production lead times and operational dependencies.
Procurement and purchasing: Lead purchasing operations, supplier relationships and sourcing decisions, including the management of packaging materials, labelling and artwork changes.
Customer service and key accounts: Lead customer service and customer-facing supply chain functions, ensuring effective order management, delivery commitments and timely resolution of escalations.
Supply chain development: Strengthen end-to-end processes, demand planning, S&OP capabilities and cross-functional collaboration.
Leadership and organisational development: Build and develop a high-performing team, strengthen professional capabilities and establish clear responsibilities and ways of working.
Performance and continuous improvement: Drive operational efficiency, financial performance, process improvements and change initiatives across the supply chain.
You will work closely with the site's leadership team and international Group stakeholders, providing regular operational reporting at Site & Group level.
What we expect from you:
We are looking for an experienced supply chain leader with a strong understanding of manufacturing operations and the ability to develop and manage complex end-to-end processes.
You bring:
Approximately 10–15 years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years in leadership positions.
Proven leadership experience in supply chain management and manufacturing operations.
Strong end-to-end supply chain understanding, covering planning, procurement, logistics and customer delivery.
Experience in developing supply chain processes, S&OP, demand planning and operational performance.
Strong financial and commercial understanding combined with project management expertise.
Demonstrated capabilities in change leadership, performance management and organisational development.
Experience in the pharmaceutical or process industry is an advantage, but not a requirement.
A Master of Science in Technology or an equivalent relevant qualification.
Fluent communication skills in both Finnish and English.
Your leadership style
You are a proactive, decisive and results-oriented leader who enjoys developing both people and processes. You combine analytical and commercial thinking with a practical understanding of manufacturing realities. You are comfortable making decisions, managing competing priorities and building effective collaboration across functions. You communicate clearly, build strong relationships and know how to influence stakeholders in an international business environment. Most importantly, you have a hands-on attitude and the determination to turn development ideas into sustainable operational improvements.
Why join NextPharma?
At NextPharma Tampere, you will have the opportunity to lead a substantial engineering organisation in a specialised pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. You will work with experienced professionals, contribute to the development of a technically demanding production site and play a central role in strengthening operational reliability, investment execution and long-term performance.
The position combines significant leadership responsibility, international collaboration and the opportunity to make a visible impact on the site's future development.
About NextPharma
NextPharma is a leading European Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), providing pharmaceutical development, clinical trial services, commercial manufacturing and packaging solutions to pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
With 10 specialised manufacturing sites across Europe and products supplied to customers serving approximately 70 global end markets, NextPharma combines international expertise with specialised manufacturing capabilities and a strong commitment to quality, reliability and long-term customer partnerships.
NextPharma Tampere is one of Europe's most experienced dedicated manufacturing facilities for sterile ophthalmic and otic pharmaceutical products. Pharmaceutical production at the site dates back to 1981, with an FDA approval track record extending to 1995.
The Tampere site specialises in sterile manufacturing technologies, including Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS), three-piece bottles and preservative-free multidose solutions. Its capabilities cover pharmaceutical development, commercial manufacturing, quality control and packaging.
As part of the NextPharma Group since 2019, the Tampere operation continues to develop its manufacturing capabilities and capacity, providing an exciting environment for experienced leaders who want to make a tangible impact. Learn more: www.nextpharma.com/en/locations/tampere/
Interested? Apply now! Birn+Partners is managing this recruitment on behalf of NextPharma. Please submit your application and CV in English through our recruitment system no later than 26 November 2026.
Location: Tampere, Finland
We look forward to hearing from you.