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Planning Lead Advanced Therapies - Job Opportunity at Johnson & Johnson

Sassenheim, Netherlands
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 8, 2025
On-site
EUR 75,000 - 95,000 annually based on Netherlands market rates for senior supply chain roles in biopharmaceuticals, with potential for additional bonuses and stock options typical of multinational pharmaceutical companies

Benefits

Opportunity to be part of a global market leader with extensive resources and career stability
International, dynamic, and inspiring working environment with exposure to cutting-edge therapies
Comprehensive career opportunities and continuous personal and professional development programs
Personalized Development Plan including access to further education, training, mentoring, and coaching
Development opportunities through on-the-job training and exciting project assignments
Access to a strong global network of talent and expertise with international mobility options
Cultural diversity and work environment flexibility across different regions
Comprehensive employee benefits package typical of Fortune 500 healthcare companies

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic product introductions and technical transfers for life-saving advanced therapies, directly impacting patient access to breakthrough CAR-T treatments for multiple myeloma affecting 160,000 patients annually
Drive forecasting and procurement strategies for critical raw materials, ensuring 100% service level achievement to maintain uninterrupted production of potentially curative therapies
Spearhead resolution of material constraints and supply chain disruptions, serving as the central coordination point across multiple functional areas to maintain treatment availability
Optimize inventory management to meet aggressive cost targets while minimizing waste, obsolescence, and expiration of high-value biological materials
Maintain data integrity and production parameters in enterprise SAP systems, ensuring alignment across global manufacturing and supply chain functions
Lead cross-functional process improvement initiatives including continuous improvement, technology transfer, and cost optimization projects that enhance operational excellence

Requirements

Education

Master's degree or equivalent with a focus in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or other related Business subject area

Experience

A minimum of 5 years of experience in planning, logistics, or a similar supply chain function

Required Skills

Strong understanding of Planning/Purchasing in a multi-national environment Proficient in SAP and Microsoft Excel Excellent problem-solving skills Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills Proven ability to operate in a highly collaborative manner and within a cross-functional organization Ensure a high level of integrity and implementation of Credo-based actions

Certifications

Supply Chain or Six Sigma Certification (e.g APICS, Green Belt, Black Belt) - Preferred Experience in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) manufacturing environment - Preferred
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The advanced therapies market, particularly CAR-T cell therapy, is experiencing unprecedented growth with the global CAR-T cell therapy market projected to reach $20.1 billion by 2030, driven by expanding indications beyond blood cancers and improved manufacturing capabilities. This creates significant demand for specialized supply chain professionals who understand the unique challenges of personalized medicine logistics. Biopharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in building dedicated manufacturing facilities for cell and gene therapies, with J&J's Sassenheim facility representing a strategic move to establish European manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependency on external CDMOs for these high-value, low-volume therapies. The shift toward personalized medicine is fundamentally changing supply chain requirements, moving from traditional bulk manufacturing to individualized patient-specific production runs, requiring new planning methodologies and much tighter coordination between clinical operations and manufacturing. Regulatory requirements for advanced therapies are becoming increasingly stringent globally, with companies needing supply chain professionals who can navigate complex GMP requirements, chain of custody protocols, and international shipping regulations for biological materials.

Role Significance

Likely managing relationships across 15-25 stakeholders globally while working within a specialized ATSP team of 8-12 professionals, with potential for 2-3 direct reports as the facility scales operations
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant cross-functional leadership responsibilities, positioned as a subject matter expert within the global Advanced Therapies Supply Planning organization with direct impact on product launch success and patient access to breakthrough therapies

Key Projects

Leading material planning for new product launches in the CAR-T portfolio, including complex tech transfer activities from development to commercial manufacturing Implementing advanced planning systems and processes specifically designed for the unique requirements of autologous cell therapy manufacturing Developing supply chain resilience strategies for critical raw materials including viral vectors, cell culture media, and specialized consumables with limited supplier bases

Success Factors

Deep understanding of the unique supply chain challenges in personalized medicine, including patient-specific manufacturing timelines, cold chain logistics, and the critical nature of material availability where delays directly impact patient treatment schedules Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and influence without authority across global teams, as success in this role depends heavily on collaboration with manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and commercial teams Advanced analytical skills to manage complex demand forecasting in a low-volume, high-variability environment where traditional forecasting models may not apply due to the personalized nature of the therapies Strong project management capabilities to simultaneously handle multiple product launches, tech transfers, and process improvements while maintaining operational excellence in ongoing commercial production

Market Demand

Very High - The intersection of advanced therapies expertise and supply chain management represents one of the fastest-growing and most specialized skill sets in the pharmaceutical industry, with limited talent availability

Important Skills

Critical Skills

SAP proficiency is essential as it serves as the backbone for all material planning, inventory management, and financial tracking in this complex manufacturing environment where accuracy and real-time visibility are critical for patient treatment timelines Multi-national planning experience is crucial because advanced therapies involve complex global supply chains with materials sourced internationally, products manufactured in one location but distributed globally, and regulatory requirements that vary by region Problem-solving skills are paramount given the unique challenges of advanced therapies supply chains, including limited supplier bases, complex logistics requirements, and the critical nature of material availability where shortages directly impact patient care

Beneficial Skills

GMP manufacturing experience provides crucial understanding of the quality and regulatory requirements that govern every aspect of pharmaceutical production, particularly important in advanced therapies where patient safety requirements are extremely stringent Six Sigma or supply chain certifications demonstrate analytical rigor and process improvement capabilities that are increasingly important as companies seek to optimize the economics of high-cost advanced therapies Inventory management expertise becomes critical when dealing with high-value, temperature-sensitive materials with limited shelf life, where excess inventory can result in significant financial losses but stockouts can delay patient treatment

Unique Aspects

Direct involvement in bringing potentially curative therapies to patients with limited treatment options, providing significant personal satisfaction and purpose beyond typical supply chain roles
Opportunity to build expertise in the fastest-growing segment of the pharmaceutical industry, with skills that are highly transferable and increasingly valuable across the sector
Working with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and processes that are redefining pharmaceutical production, including automated cell processing and personalized medicine logistics
Being part of the ground-floor establishment of a new manufacturing facility, providing experience in facility startup, process implementation, and team building that is invaluable for future career advancement

Career Growth

3-5 years to senior management roles given the rapid growth of the advanced therapies market and the specialized expertise developed in this position

Potential Next Roles

Global Supply Chain Manager for Advanced Therapies with expanded geographic and therapeutic area responsibilities Director of Supply Planning for Innovative Medicine with oversight of multiple therapeutic platforms Head of Advanced Therapies Operations combining supply chain and manufacturing responsibilities Regional Supply Chain Director for Europe with broader portfolio management beyond advanced therapies

Company Overview

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson is the world's largest healthcare conglomerate with over $95 billion in annual revenue, operating through two main segments: Innovative Medicine (pharmaceuticals) and MedTech (medical devices). The company has been aggressively expanding its presence in advanced therapies through acquisitions and internal development, with significant investments in CAR-T, gene therapy, and other cell-based treatments.

J&J holds a dominant position in the global pharmaceutical market and is strategically positioning itself as a leader in next-generation therapies. The Sassenheim facility represents a major strategic investment in European manufacturing capabilities for advanced therapies, indicating long-term commitment to this therapeutic area.
The Netherlands facility serves as a key European hub for advanced therapies manufacturing, leveraging the region's favorable regulatory environment and skilled workforce. This location provides strategic access to European markets while maintaining proximity to major research centers and clinical sites.
J&J is known for its strong emphasis on the Credo values, comprehensive employee development programs, and collaborative global culture. The company typically offers excellent work-life balance, extensive learning opportunities, and clear career progression paths, particularly valued in the competitive biopharmaceutical talent market.
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