Consultant - EMEA Strategy, Supply Chain & Operations Consulting

Solution Area: Operations Consulting Life Sciences

Location: Germany / Switzerland (Pan-European Responsibilities)

Role Overview:

A leading global consulting organization is expanding its Life Sciences Supply Chain & Operations Consulting practice to support pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients across Europe. This role focuses on delivering strategic and operational consulting engagements related to commercial supply chains, manufacturing operations, distribution networks, and operational excellence initiatives. The position offers the opportunity to work with leading pharmaceutical and biotech organizations on complex supply chain transformation, network optimization, manufacturing strategy, and operational improvement programs.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Delivery:

- Manage end-to-end delivery of consulting project workstreams within supply chain and operations engagements.

- Develop project plans, manage timelines, coordinate resources, and ensure high-quality deliverables.

- Work closely with client stakeholders to gather data, provide project updates, and support implementation of recommendations.

- Drive project execution while maintaining alignment with business objectives and client expectations.

Client Advisory & Stakeholder Management:

- Build strong working relationships with client teams and project sponsors.

- Understand client business challenges, operational priorities, and strategic objectives.

- Translate business requirements into actionable consulting solutions.

- Present project findings, recommendations, and progress updates to senior stakeholders.

Supply Chain & Operations Consulting:

Supply Chain Analysis & Network Design:

- Analyze end-to-end supply chain performance, including inventory, service levels, lead times, and operational efficiency.

- Identify bottlenecks, risks, and improvement opportunities.

- Design optimized supply chain processes using lean and operational excellence principles.

Manufacturing & Distribution Strategy:

- Support manufacturing and distribution network optimization initiatives.

- Evaluate scenarios such as network redesign, site consolidation, capacity expansion, and make-versus-buy decisions.

- Assess impacts on cost, service levels, resilience, and operational performance.

Localization & Outsourcing Strategy:

- Conduct supplier and contract manufacturing assessments.

- Evaluate local versus offshore manufacturing strategies.

- Perform cost-benefit analysis and develop risk mitigation approaches, including dual sourcing and inventory strategies.

Distribution & Logistics Optimization:

- Assess distribution networks, warehouse strategies, and logistics operations.

- Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve service levels, and shorten lead times.

- Recommend logistics improvements, route optimization strategies, and third-party logistics enhancements.

Advanced Therapy Supply Chains:

- Support projects involving cell and gene therapies and other advanced biologics.

- Design scalable supply chain models that maintain quality and patient-centric requirements while enabling growth.

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP):

- Design and implement S&OP frameworks and processes.

- Develop forecasting methodologies and cross-functional planning structures.

- Enable demand and supply alignment through scenario planning and inventory optimization practices.

- Facilitate client adoption of best practices and supporting planning tools.

Operational Excellence & Lean Transformation:

- Lead operational improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.

- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, optimize inventory, and enhance service performance.

- Quantify business impact through measurable operational and financial improvements.

Team Leadership:

- Mentor and guide consultants, analysts, and junior team members.

- Ensure analytical rigor, quality standards, and effective project execution.

- Support capability development through coaching, training, and knowledge sharing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

- Collaborate with consulting leadership, analytics, technology, and data teams to deliver integrated client solutions.

- Leverage advanced analytics, benchmarking tools, forecasting models, and digital technologies to enhance project outcomes.

Desired Profile:

Experience:

- 4+ years of experience in Life Sciences, Healthcare Strategy Consulting, Supply Chain Consulting, or Operations Consulting.

- Proven experience managing strategic consulting engagements and complex project workstreams.

- Experience working within management consulting environments and multi-disciplinary project teams.

- Prior exposure to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices, or healthcare industries is highly preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

- Strong consulting, project management, and stakeholder management skills.

- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and quantitative capabilities.

- Strong communication, presentation, and client-facing skills.

- Ability to work in fast-paced and dynamic consulting environments.

- Demonstrated leadership and team development capabilities.

- Knowledge of supply chain management, manufacturing operations, logistics, S&OP, and operational excellence methodologies.

- Adaptable, collaborative, and eager to continuously learn and develop industry expertise.