📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Brand Supply Chain Manager
🔹 Company: Abbott
🔹 Location: Zwolle, Netherlands & Basel, Switzerland
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Supply Chain
🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with 10% travel)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving global supply chain excellence for top-tier products
- Navigating mid-term and long-term planning horizons to meet commercial demands
- Collaborating cross-functionally with various departments to drive supply chain strategies
- Managing supply chain performance for owned portfolio
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset and strong leadership skills to coordinate resolution of supply challenges and development of cross-functional mitigation plans.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Demand Management: Accountable for robust replenishment planning, coordination of planning activities on New Product Introductions and Label changes, cross-functional communication, proactively avoiding potential backorders, and regular commercial alignment on business plans.
✅ Supply Management: Manage shortage of supplies, ensure close collaboration with manufacturing sites, provide monthly Replenishment forecast, maintain Service Level Agreements (SLA), and create strategic Long term procurement plans.
✅ Inventory Management: Provide Inventory projections, define and implement inventory strategies, and create strategic long term inventory plans.
✅ Other: Ensure compliance with local and Abbott quality, financial, and regulatory rules, manage projects, drive continuous improvement, optimize Supply chain Planning parameters, represent Supply Chain in meetings, and provide appropriate CAPA in case of performance below target.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a significant amount of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong communication skills to effectively manage stakeholders and drive supply chain strategies.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Master's degree (MSc) in Supply Chain Management, Logistics Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, or equivalent experience.
Experience: 5-10 years' experience in Supply chain environment (demand/supply/production planning), preferably in Pharma business.
Required Skills:
- Strong communication skills in English (additional languages are a plus)
- Ability to anticipate challenges and work proactively on mitigation strategies
- Strong analytical skills for capacity planning, inventory management, and KPI analysis
- Good foundation in Basics of Supply Chain management
- Good understanding of S&OP/MRP (Material Requirement Planning)/MPS (Master Production Schedule) planning systems and business applications
- Experience with systems as SAP ECC/APO and Power BI
- Innovation and initiative to identify and implement business process improvements
- Adaptable and maintain the ability to be flexible in an ever-changing and challenging environment
- Strong skills in synthesis, great ability to present ongoing challenges to senior management
- Strategic thinking skills and global stakeholder management
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with systems such as SAP ECC/APO and Power BI
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is likely expected for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Abbott does not provide salary ranges for this position. However, based on industry standards for a Brand Supply Chain Manager with 5-10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, the estimated salary range is €80,000 - €120,000 per year.
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and employee discounts
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth
- Global work environment with opportunities for international travel
Working Hours: Standard work hours with the expectation of occasional overtime or weekend work to meet project deadlines.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's specific qualifications and the company's internal salary structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Abbott operates in the Hospitals and Health Care industry, focusing on nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices, and branded generic pharmaceuticals.
Company Size: Abbott is a large organization with over 10,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: Abbott was founded in 1888 and has since grown into a global healthcare leader with a presence in over 160 countries.
Company Description:
- Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life
- The company's portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional, and branded generic medicines
- Abbott serves people in more than 160 countries and has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in its workforce
Company Specialties:
- Nutrition
- Diagnostics
- Medical Devices
- and Branded Generic Pharmaceuticals
Company Website: https://www.abbott.com
ASSUMPTION: Abbott's global presence and diverse product portfolio offer unique opportunities for career growth and development within the healthcare industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level management stage, with opportunities for growth into senior management positions.
Reporting Structure: The Brand Supply Chain Manager reports directly to the Supply Chain Director and has regular leadership exposure to coordinate resolution of supply challenges and development of cross-functional mitigation plans.
Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site, with occasional travel required (up to 10% of the time).
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression into senior management or leadership roles within the Supply Chain department
- Expansion into other areas of the business, such as Operations, Commercial, or Regulatory Affairs
- International assignments or expatriate opportunities within Abbott's global network
ASSUMPTION: With Abbott's extensive global presence and diverse product portfolio, there are numerous opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Abbott's Zwolle office is a modern, collaborative workspace with a mix of open-plan and private offices.
Office Location(s): Zwolle, Netherlands & Basel, Switzerland
Geographic Context:
- Zwolle is a mid-sized city in the Netherlands, known for its historic city center and vibrant cultural scene
- Basel is a major city in Switzerland, located on the Rhine River and known for its medieval old town and world-class museums
Work Schedule: Standard work hours with occasional overtime or weekend work to meet project deadlines.
ASSUMPTION: Both Zwolle and Basel offer a high quality of life, with easy access to amenities, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
- Final round interviews with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
- Strategic thinking and leadership potential
- Cultural fit and alignment with Abbott's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management principles and Abbott's business
- Prepare examples of your problem-solving skills and cross-functional collaboration experiences
- Research Abbott's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit
ATS Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations, Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Inventory Management, Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Pharma, Abbott
ASSUMPTION: Abbott's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- SAP ECC/APO
- Power BI
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in using these tools is essential for success in this role, as they are widely used within Abbott's supply chain department.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Caring
- Integrity
- Quality
- Performance
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality outcomes
- Adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of driving strategic supply chain initiatives in a dynamic, global organization?
- Are you comfortable working cross-functionally with various departments to drive supply chain strategies?
- Do you possess strong analytical skills and the ability to make sound decisions based on good judgment?
ASSUMPTION: Abbott's company culture values innovation, collaboration, and a strong commitment to quality and performance. Candidates who align with these values and work styles are more likely to succeed in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing supply chain challenges and developing mitigation plans in a dynamic, global environment
- Collaborating effectively with various departments and stakeholders to drive supply chain strategies
- Adapting to changes in commercial demands and operational capacities
- Balancing mid-term and long-term planning horizons while meeting short-term performance targets
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, global environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other supply chain roles, this position focuses on driving global supply chain excellence for top-tier products, requiring a strategic and leadership-focused mindset
- In the pharmaceutical industry, supply chain management is critical to ensuring the availability of life-saving and life-sustaining products, making this role particularly impactful
- Career progression in this role could lead to senior management or leadership positions within Abbott's supply chain department or other areas of the business
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for career growth and development within the pharmaceutical industry and Abbott's global organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a strategic long-term inventory plan for a high-demand product to ensure optimal inventory levels and minimize stockouts
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to manage a product recall and minimize its impact on supply chain performance
- Optimizing supply chain planning parameters across the different nodes of the supply chain to improve overall efficiency and reduce costs
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and leadership-focused nature of this role, as well as the importance of cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the most significant supply chain challenges facing Abbott in the next 1-3 years, and how this role will contribute to addressing them?
- How does Abbott support the professional development and career growth of its supply chain managers?
- Can you provide an example of a time when Abbott's supply chain department had to pivot or adapt to a significant change in commercial demands or operational capacities? How was this managed, and what were the outcomes?
- How does Abbott's supply chain department collaborate with other departments, such as Commercial, Operations, or Regulatory Affairs, to drive supply chain strategies and ensure the availability of products?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this role, and how are they tracked and reported?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role's responsibilities, Abbott's company culture, and the expectations for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your problem-solving skills and cross-functional collaboration experiences
- Research Abbott's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
