Distribution Liaison Partner

Job title: Distribution Liaison Partner

Career Level - D3

**Introduction to role**

External Supply and Manufacture (ESM) supports the Operations strategy by establishing and managing suppliers across the world that meet our global standards. Through external suppliers, the team manages approximately one third of AstraZeneca’s value of production. ESM plays a key role in ensuring the external supply chains are robust and deliver value to AstraZeneca through driving continuous improvement. Our team also supports New Product Introduction through external supply, plays a pivotal role in integrating companies and products that AstraZeneca acquires and bringing innovation through supply chain programmes e.g. Market Access. Your work is performed in a global environment, with a strong focus on cross-functional collaboration with other roles and function areas

**Accountabilities**:
As a Distribution Liaison Partner, you will lead and coordinate the activities required to set up global shipping flows for ESM. You will also have an awareness of supply chain processes and products and keep up to date with changes in the supply chain related to shipping and distribution information/data. You will actively work with Practical Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement in cross-functional teams, both as team member and as team leader when appropriate.

**What you'll do**:

- Support the new route risk assessment by working together with PCT team and the master data team to make sure that the master data set up is correct and ensuring all aspects of the distribution flows are put in place to enable timely New Product Introduction (NPI) launches and fast and smooth acquisitions and divestments.
- You will support the International Distribution Coordinators in their processes within ESM by managing conventional activities associated with enabling successful distribution of material to customers, helping to manage change and resolve escalations.
- Your immediate team will also have accountability to ensure that the Distribution team are operating to the defined Sarbanes Oxley standards, ensuring that controls are maintained and any actions are closed out in good time.
- Work actively with Lean tools specific to Problem solving such as; Level Zero, Practical Problem Solving, Six Sigma to work through issues. You'll be expected to support and/or lead Continuous Improvements activities within your own Distribution team and also as part of broader cross-functional teams.
- Work closely with Global Logistics, acting as the main point of contact for GLF into ESM and vice-versa; ensuring new routes are set up in good time, to your stakeholders' requirements and that all key distribution master data is maintained accurately.
- Play a key role in the quarterly & annual freight budget cycles, working with the ESM Planning function to collate all relevant demand data. In turn, you will be expected to work closely with GLF to turn that ESM demand data into actionable freight demand data, so freight costs can be accurately forecasted and budgeted for.

**Essential Skills/Experience**:

- Education requirements: A degree or equivalent in Business, Logistics, Sciences or Engineering is preferred, equivalent experience will be taken into account.
- Distribution & Logistics knowledge and experience
- Previous experience working in Supply Chain / Distribution / Transport / Warehouse / Operations Environments
- Comfortable in defining new processes and seeking to continuously improve existing processes
- Comfortable managing challenging stakeholders, setting expectations and having direct conversations
- Excellent communication and team working skills
- Able to rapidly adapt to a constantly changing environment
- Experience in issue management and proactive project involvement.

**Desirable Skills/Experience**:

- Experience of working in the Pharmaceuticals sector, shipping temperature controlled products or & shipping Dangerous goods
- Experience of working in an outsourced freight operation, working with 3PL’s / Freight Forwarders / Freight brokers
- Experience of Team supervision/leadership/management and coaching
- Understanding of different shipment modality; Air / Sea / Road / Rail
- Understanding of global import/export processes & international customs clearance
- Experience with lean methodology and tools
- End-2-End Supply Chain knowledge

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

AstraZeneca offers an exciting environment where you can experience the thrill of launching new products while contri