Head of Supply Chain – Africa

About the role

Roche is seeking a senior leader to drive the end‑to‑end supply chain across the African continent. The Head of Supply Chain – Africa will shape strategy, build resilient distribution networks and champion digital innovation to ensure product availability and an exceptional customer experience.

Key responsibilities

• Co‑create and implement the Africa supply chain strategy in alignment with EMEA‑LATAM networks.
• Establish a unified Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) framework linking commercial demand with regional capabilities.
• Oversee multi‑modal freight, warehousing and regional distribution centres, driving process optimisation to reduce lead times.
• Lead digital initiatives such as e‑ordering, predictive tracking and customer inventory management for real‑time visibility.
• Negotiate and manage 3PL/4PL partners, freight forwarders and clearing agents to secure cost‑effective product access.
• Ensure compliance with GxP, Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and cold‑chain requirements, and develop business continuity plans.
• Build, coach and transition a high‑performing supply chain team, supporting new legal entity setups.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in supply chain or logistics, preferably within a multinational environment.
• Strong track record of developing and executing supply chain strategies across multiple countries.
• Deep understanding of regulatory, quality and cold‑chain compliance in the pharmaceutical sector.
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills with external logistics partners.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and drive digital transformation.

Required skills