Sr. Manager, Materials Management

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join MilliporeSigma.

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.  

This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the US. 

Your Role:

The Senior Manager, Supply Chain is responsible for leading end-to-end supply chain operations within a CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) environment. This role has full accountability for shipping, receiving, warehouse management, inventory control, and material handling—including materials stored in and around cold storage (ambient, refrigerated, and frozen) environments.

The position plays a critical role in enabling GMP manufacturing execution, ensuring audit readiness, maintaining compliance with Quality Management Systems (QMS), and delivering a high level of service to external clients.

This is a highly visible, client-facing leadership role requiring strong operational, quality, and stakeholder management expertise.

Key Responsibilities:

Supply Chain & Warehouse Operations Leadership

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for shipping, receiving, warehousing, and inventory management supporting CDMO manufacturing programs.
• Ensure accurate and compliant handling of raw materials, intermediates, and finished goods across ambient, refrigerated, and frozen storage conditions.
• Own inventory accuracy, reconciliation, and material status control within SAP, ensuring full batch traceability and data integrity.
• Oversee inbound and outbound logistics, freight coordination, and external logistics service providers.
• Support site readiness, scale-up activities, and new program onboarding for client projects.

GMP Compliance & Quality Systems

• Maintain full compliance with GMP, GDP, and CDMO quality expectations across all supply chain functions.
• Author, approve, and govern SOPs, work instructions, and controlled documents related to shipping, receiving, warehousing, and cold chain material handling.
• Actively utilize and manage processes within the Quality Management System (QMS) including deviations, CAPAs, change controls, impact assessments, and risk management.
• Partner closely with Quality Assurance to proactively identify compliance risks and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.

Client & Audit Engagement

• Serve as the primary supply chain representative during:

  • Client audits
  • Regulatory inspections
  • Internal quality audits

• Prepare audit materials, lead audit responses, and drive timely closure of observations.

• Interface directly with clients on supply chain execution, timelines, investigations, and business continuity planning.

• Represent the organization professionally in client meetings, governance forums, and operational reviews.

Systems, Data & Process Ownership

• Act as the senior functional lead for SAP supply chain and warehouse processes, ensuring system compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory accuracy, cycle counting, cold chain controls, and logistics performance.
• Establish, monitor, and report on KPIs related to service level, compliance, cost, and operational efficiency.

People Leadership & Strategic Impact

• Lead and develop a team of supply chain, warehouse, and logistics professionals.
• Set clear performance expectations, provide coaching, and support succession planning.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Manufacturing, Quality, Planning, Engineering, and Client Services.
• Contribute to site and network-level supply chain strategy aligned to CDMO growth, client demand, and regulatory expectations.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics, Engineering, Business, or related field required.

• 10+ years of progressive supply chain or warehouse management experience in a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment.

• 5+ years of people leadership experience, preferably in a CDMO or multi-client setting.

• Direct, hands-on experience managing:

  • Shipping and receiving operations
  • Warehouse and inventory management
  • Cold storage and temperature-controlled materials

• Proven experience developing and maintaining SOPs within a controlled document system.

• Strong working knowledge of SAP (inventory management, warehousing, logistics).

• Demonstrated experience supporting audits and interacting directly with external clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (MBA, MS in Operations or Supply Chain).
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, cell & gene therapy, or advanced therapies CDMO environments.
• Multi-site or scale-up experience supporting new client programs.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or formal continuous improvement training.

Key Competencies & Attributes:

• Strong compliance mindset with the ability to balance quality, speed, and cost
• Executive-level communication and client-facing skills
• High accountability and ownership mentality
• Ability to lead in fast-paced, change-driven CDMO environments
• Data-driven decision maker with strong problem-solving skills

Pay Range for this position: $92,100 - $192,400

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here.

Direct link to benefits site if the hyperlink no longer works:

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!

Job Requisition ID:  299057

Location:  Indianapolis

Career Level:  E - Professional (10+ years)

Working time model:  Full-time

North America Disclosure
The Company is committed to accessibility in its workplaces, including during the job application process. Applicants who may require accommodation during the application process should speak with our Candidate Services team at 844-655-6466 from 8:00am to 5:30pm ET Monday through Friday. If you are a resident of a Connecticut or Colorado, you are eligible to receive additional information about the compensation and benefits, which we will provide upon request.  You may contact 855 444 5678 from 8:00am to 5:30pm ET Monday through Friday, for assistance.

Notice on Fraudulent Job Offers
Unfortunately, we are aware of third parties that pretend to represent our company offering unauthorized employment opportunities. If you think a fraudulent source is offering you a job, please have a look at the following information.

Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
Job Segment: Lean Six Sigma, Pharmaceutical, Six Sigma, Quality Assurance, QA, Management, Science, Technology, Quality

Apply now »

• Start apply with LinkedIn Start apply with LinkedIn

• Apply Now

• Please wait...

• Legal Disclaimer

• Privacy Statement

• Corporate Homepage

Copyright 2022 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany