Clinical Supply Planning, Associate Director

The Clinical Supply Planning Associate Director at AstraZeneca is responsible for leading and developing a team of Clinical Supply Chain Planners. Key responsibilities include ensuring effective planning and inventory management, coaching team members, managing daily deliveries and long-term development, identifying risks, and improving supply chain processes. This role emphasizes both operational efficiency and team development.

For the position of Clinical Supply Planning Associate Director at AstraZeneca, candidates should have experience in a supply chain planning environment and ideally hold a degree in a supply chain-related field. Knowledge of drug development processes and strong leadership skills are essential. Effective communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills are also important for success in this role.

The Clinical Supply Planning Associate Director plays a crucial role in team development at AstraZeneca by coaching team members, helping them enhance their individual capabilities, and fostering a collaborative environment. By setting clear performance targets and dedicating time to training and skills improvement, this leader ensures that the entire team can grow and adapt within their challenging roles.

At AstraZeneca, the work environment for a Clinical Supply Planning Associate Director is dynamic and collaborative. Employees are encouraged to work in-person at least three days a week to foster innovation and teamwork. While maintaining a strong office presence, the company also values individual flexibility, creating a supportive atmosphere that balances productivity with personal needs.

AstraZeneca offers significant opportunities for growth for a Clinical Supply Planning Associate Director through exposure to multiple global career paths, continuous learning, and engagement in fast-paced projects that challenge traditional approaches. The supportive community within the company encourages professional development and exploration of diverse opportunities in the field.

When answering this question, highlight your specific experiences in supply chain planning. Discuss major projects you've handled, tools or software you’ve used, and any successes you’ve had that align with the responsibilities of the Clinical Supply Planning Associate Director role.

Talk about your approach to coaching and mentoring team members. Provide examples of how you've previously supported colleagues in their professional growth and the techniques you employ to help them improve their skills.

Explain your strategic approach to risk management. Discuss scenarios where you identified risks early, your processes for building solutions, and how you communicated these to stakeholders. Tailor your answer to reflect AstraZeneca’s emphasis on proactive solutions.

Use the STAR approach to share a relevant challenging scenario. Detail the situation, your tasks, the actions you took, and the results. Focus on what you learned and how it improved your decision-making in future projects.

Discuss your experience in compliance and how you’ve implemented SHE/GMP standards in your previous roles. Provide specific examples of processes you’ve developed or followed to uphold these critical regulations.

Mention software or tools you are proficient with that are relevant to supply chain management. Discuss how you've utilized these tools to optimize processes, manage inventories, and enhance team collaboration.

Share your method for prioritizing tasks, particularly in high-pressure scenarios. Explain your decision-making process and how you balance short-term objectives with long-term goals while ensuring team alignment with priorities.

Provide examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with other departments or teams to achieve common goals. Emphasize your communication and negotiation skills, illustrating their importance in the role of Clinical Supply Planning Associate Director.

Discuss your strategies for staying informed about industry trends, such as attending conferences, reading publications, or participating in professional networks. Highlight how this knowledge has influenced your supply chain management strategies.

Convey your heartfelt motivation for wanting to join AstraZeneca. Mention the company's values, culture, and impact in the healthcare industry. Make it personal by discussing how the Clinical Supply Planning Associate Director role aligns with your career ambitions.