Senior Supply Chain Lead
- London, United Kingdom
Posted 6 days ago
About the role
Vacancy
Vacancy reference
VAC-0461
Department
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Networks
Location
London / Washington DC
Close date
13/09/2026
Job description
About CEPI
CEPI is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil organisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. Central to CEPI’s pandemic-beating plan is the ‘100 Days Mission’ – its goal to develop safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new threats in just 100 days.
CEPI’s work has delivered world firsts for vaccines against many of its priority pathogens including the first licensed Chikungunya vaccine, the first ever Lassa fever, Nipah and MERS vaccines to reach Phase II trials and the first Rift Valley fever vaccine candidate to be studied in Phase II in an endemic region. CEPI has also supported programmes to generate much-needed data to expand access to Ebola and Mpox vaccines. CEPI was among the first funders of COVID-19 vaccines, ultimately building one of the world’s largest portfolios, seven of which were licensed. The Coalition also conceptualised and co-founded COVAX, which delivered nearly two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 146 countries , saving an estimated 2.7 million lives in lower-income regions.
Earlier this year, CEPI launched its CEPI 3.0 Strategy (covering 2027-2031) which will systematically reduce the likelihood and impact of epidemics and pandemics by driving the 100 Days Mission towards an operational reality.
CEPI is a not-for-profit association under Norwegian Law and has offices in Oslo (HQ), London, and Washington DC.
In CEPI we strive for diverse thinking, and we want a diverse pool of candidates for all our vacancies. We work for an inclusive working environment where each employee can contribute and grow. Learn more at www.cepi.net.
About the role
Reporting to the Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Networks, the purpose of this role is to lead and deliver CEPI’s Supply Chain (SC) strategy across its three pillars: Manufacturing Readiness & Resilience, SC Ecosystem, and 100DM Outbreak Preparedness; in support of the PDM3.0 (2027-2031) strategic deliverable to secure resilient supply chains vaccine manufacturing demand. The role will lead supply chain activities across CEPI’s R&D&M portfolio closely working with multiple CEPI teams, global stakeholders and partners.
Objectives
- Deliver CEPI’s SC strategy, building, maturing, and pre-positioning supply chain capabilities activatable in an emergency disease outbreak context to enable the 100DM, in collaboration with CEPI partners, supply chain partners, and global stakeholders.
- Support CEPI’s VMFN partner supply chains by identifying and mitigating critical supply chain challenges across disease projects and platform technologies.
- Provide expertise across CEPI R&D&M projects and programmes, ensuring the SC strategy is embedded across the full vaccine development lifecycle from early R&D through to manufacturing readiness and outbreak response.
This role is a one year fixed term full time position, with the potential for extension depending on future strategic priorities and resource requirements.
Responsibilities
- Identify critical input materials and consumables for each vaccine platform technology in collaboration with CMC, Innovation, and VMFN partners actively contributing expertise to deliver the CEPI SC3.0 strategy to ensure:
- CEPI vaccine manufacturing partner SC readiness and resilience to respond swiftly to global health emergencies and vaccine demand
- Streamline CEPI’s input material/consumable suppliers and stakeholder ecosystem across procurement, logistics and distribution - supporting CEPI VMFN and R&D&M project partners
- 100DM preparedness through secured SC to CEPI partners for rapid vaccine manufacture and supply in response to future disease outbreaks
- Provide strategic and technical SC support to VMFN partners to optimize efficiencies across planning, input material management, digitalization, and logistics to reach operational excellence.
- Build and expand CEPI's supplier network to accelerate input material sourcing and shipment across vaccines, adjuvants for CEPI 3.0 programmes together with CEPI R&D&M teams
- Negotiate preferential supply agreements with key input material suppliers and service providers to ensure priority access to input materials for CEPI partners.
- Provide subject matter expertise on SC including but not limited to inventory management, warehousing, and logistics to CEPI partners.
- Develop a structured SC network among CEPI partners.
- Lead resolution of SC Outbreak Response Plan mitigation deliverables and conduct scenario testing with SC partners and VMFN manufacturers to ensure capabilities are activatable at the onset of a disease outbreak event.
- Serve as MSCN's senior SC interlocutor across CEPI projects and programmes, ensuring integration with R&D&M programs and workstreams.
- Through close collaboration with SC team members ensure delivery of SC related programme milestones and contribute to budget planning and review within the PDM MSCN team.
Education, Experience and Competence
- Master’s degree &/or PhD in supply chain, logistics, management in biopharma life sciences, biochemical engineering, or an equivalent level of experience — essential.
- Minimum 7–10 years’ experience in a supply chain or operations role in the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, vaccines, or global health sector; not-for-profit or public health experience is acceptable.
- Technical knowledge of biopharmaceutical or vaccine supply chains across mRNA, viral vector, and recombinant Protein platforms.
- Experience identifying and mitigating supply chain challenges and developing resilience frameworks including scenario planning and outbreak response planning.
- Experience building and managing input material supplier networks and negotiating preferential supplier agreements; management of licensed third-party CDMO &/or vaccine manufacturing partner relationships is essential.
- Familiarity with digital supply chain tools and data-driven approaches including AI-based SC simulation is advantageous.
- Experience working across LMIC region cultures and manufacturing ecosystems is preferred.
- Prior interactions on CMC issues with National Regulatory Agencies is considered advantageous.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Leadership skills, with the ability to build trust with internal and external partners and work in a matrix way.
- Strong interpersonal skills, team player, able to work in different cultural environments, to negotiate timelines and develop effective collaboration.
Travel and Location Requirements
- This role is based in the UK/East Coast US
- Up to 30% international travel.
What we can offer you
- The opportunity to work together with leading experts on solutions for global challenges
- Experience from the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks
- A diverse and inclusive working environment
Background verification will be conducted to verify information provided in the CV and available documentation.