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The Position
The Global Supply Chain Process Architect – Warehousing & Regulatory Compliance serves as the chief process engineer and compliance authority for End-to-End (E2E) Warehousing, Internal Logistics, and Material Handling operations. Sitting within the Global Supply Chain Solutions Design organization, this role is responsible for architecting future-state warehouse processes (inbound receiving, storage, picking, packing, cold-chain handling, and inventory control) while ensuring all global storage facilities and third-party logistics (3PL) partners strictly comply with international healthcare distribution regulations.
By applying Systems Thinking and Lean methodologies, this role bridges physical warehouse layouts, digital execution systems (WMS/RF/Automation), and strict regulatory standards (e.g., GDP, cGMP, ISO 13485) to ensure secure, compliant, and cost-effective product storage and fulfillment worldwide.
Core Responsibilities
1. Strategic Warehouse Process Architecture & Systems
E2E Warehouse Process Ownership: Lead the architectural design, standardization, and L1–L3 process mapping for warehouse operations, including Inbound Receiving, Putaway, Kitting, Pick/Pack, Shipping, Cycle Counting, and Returns Management.
WMS & Automation Design: Partner with IT and BPM to translate physical warehouse workflows into enterprise software requirements (e.g., WMS), ensuring robust data integrity and system interfaces.
Design for Distribution: Establish global layout standards, material flow designs, and slotting strategies across global distribution centers, regional hubs, and manufacturing warehouses.
2. Regulatory Compliance & Quality Governance
Global GDP & cGMP Compliance: Act as the primary technical authority ensuring all internal warehouses and external 3PL sites adhere to Good Distribution Practice (GDP), Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), FDA 21 CFR Part 11/820, and local EHS/OSHA regulations.
Cold-Chain & Controlled Storage: Set global operating standards for temperature-controlled storage environments (-80°C, -20°C, 2–8°C, and ambient), mapping temperature validation protocols, excursion management, and emergency response workflows.
Auditing & Corrective Actions: Drive root-cause analysis (CAPA) for warehouse-related deviations, inventory variances, or temperature excursions to maintain continuous audit readiness across the global logistics network.
3. Operational Excellence & 3PL Governance
3PL & Vendor Oversight: Define standard operating procedure (SOP) frameworks, service level agreements (SLAs), and Delegation of Authority (DoA) controls for outsourced warehouse operations and contract logistics providers.
Lean Warehouse Transformation: Identify and execute continuous improvement initiatives using Lean principles (5S, Value Stream Mapping, Gemba) to maximize storage density, increase throughput, reduce pick errors, and drive down cost-per-pallet.
Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate closely with Quality , Manufacturing, SHE, and Commercial Logistics to resolve operational friction and ensure new product launches seamlessly integrate into existing warehouse infrastructure.
Candidate Profile (Who You Are)
Education & Experience
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, or a related technical discipline. Advanced degree (Master’s, MBA) preferred.
Professional Experience: 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in Supply Chain, with a heavy emphasis on direct Warehouse Operations, Distribution Center Engineering, or Site Logistics within the Pharmaceutical, Diagnostics, Medical Device, or Biotech industries.
Systems Expertise: Hands-on experience designing or implementing enterprise Warehouse Management Systems and automated material handling systems.
Technical & Regulatory Mastery
Regulatory Knowledge: Deep, practical expertise in international GDP/GMP standards, temperature-controlled logistics, controlled substance handling, and warehouse safety/EHS regulations across major regions (EU, US FDA, China NMPA).
Process Engineering: Demonstrated ability in warehouse layout design, capacity modeling, material flow optimization, and process mapping.
Leadership & Competencies
Systems Thinker: Ability to analyze complex warehouse challenges, identify root causes, and build scalable, standardized solutions that balance compliance with operational speed.
Enterprise Leader: Strong stakeholder management skills to influence cross-functional peers, lead global matrix projects, and coach local operational teams through large-scale process changes.
Ready for the next step? We look forward to hearing from you. Apply now to discover this exciting opportunity!
Where pay transparency applies, details are provided based on the primary posting location. For this role, the primary location is Rotkreuz. If you are interested in additional locations where the role may be available, we will provide the relevant compensation details later in the hiring process.
Who we are
A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.
Let’s build a healthier future, together.
Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.