Demand Planning & Optimization Director

As the Director – Clinical Demand Planning & Optimisation, you will lead a team accountable for demand planning, study design input, and secondary kit inventory strategy across AstraZeneca’s clinical development portfolio. You will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of robust, data-driven demand plans at finished goods (secondary kit) level, from early study design through study execution. Through your team, you will influence study design, governance decisions, and ongoing study delivery by ensuring high-quality demand insights, scenario planning, and inventory strategies that balance cost, risk, and patient needs. Acting as a key interface between Clinical and Supply, you will ensure Demand Planning is effectively integrated into the end-to-end clinical supply model, with clear alignment to Study & Supply Planning to enable reliable, efficient clinical trial delivery. Accountabilities : Leads and develops the Demand Planning & Optimisation function, defining the strategy, priorities, and performance expectations across the clinical development portfolio. Working with the Demand Business Process Owner, ensures the demand planning framework, standards, and governance ensures consistent, high-quality delivery across all studies Promotes proactive engagement with Clinical and R&D stakeholders, enabling the team to effectively influence study design & delivery plans; including recruitment strategy, country footprint, ECP strategies and supply chain design decisions. Drives delivery of high-quality scenario planning and analytics, supporting governance decisions through clear evaluation of cost, risk, and waste trade-offs Ensures delivery of unconstrained demand plans at finished goods (secondary kit) level, translating clinical assumptions into robust demand scenarios that inform supply planning and study execution. Ensures effective end-to-end demand lifecycle management, with demand plans continuously maintained, refined, and adapted in line with study/programme evolution. Drives strong alignment with Supply Planning to ensure effective reconciliation between unconstrained demand and constrained supply, enabling informed decision-making and trade-off management Monitors and drives performance metrics for demand planning, including forecast accuracy, bias, demand volatility, waste, and responsiveness, ensuring continuous improvement and corrective action. Ensures effective demand planning representation and high-quality inputs into cross-functional forums, including CS&OP and study-level collaboration forums (e.g., SDWG, CPT), enabling data-driven decisions Ensures robust and proactive management of demand-related risks and customer service impacts, including identification and mitigation of supply-demand gaps Provides oversight of secondary kit inventory strategy, including optimisation of inventory levels, make frequency, and site-to-site transfer strategies (where applicable) Drives roadmap for alongside Demand Planning BPO of demand planning tools, systems, and methodologies (e.g., N-SIDE, IRT), ensuring effective digital enablement across the function Builds and develops team capability, including coaching, performance management, and succession planning Embeds a culture of continuous improvement, standardisation, and accountability, ensuring the function evolves to meet the needs of AstraZeneca’s pipeline Essential Skills & Experience: Bachelor degree and at least 7 years of related experience Significant experience in clinical demand planning & study supply chain optimisation. Understanding of clinical planning/optimisation tools (e.g.N-Side) & IRT. Excellent analytical skills, ability to coach others in the use of data to drive scenario-based decision recommendations Proven ability to influence/negotiate cross-functional stakeholders and shape strategic decisions. Understanding of clinical study designs and R&D governance processes Proven experience leading teams and delivering through others. Clinical Operations (e.g., GSAD, clinical study teams) Global Project / Programme Directors (GPDs) Clinical Supply Programme Directors Supply Planning and Study Execution teams Regulatory and CMC stakeholders Desirable Skills & Experience : Advanced degree (MBA, MSc, PhD) Experience in clinical supply optimisation methodologies Lean / continuous improvement experience Experience with long-term planning and portfolio modelling Strong financial awareness (cost, waste, optimisation trade-offs) System and tool providers (e.g., N-SIDE, IRT vendors) External partners supporting planning or clinical operations The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $141,997.60 to $ 212,996.40 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans. AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing . Why AstraZeneca: Join a place where you are trusted to take ownership and move fast, combining scientific rigor with data-driven operations to deliver therapies that change lives. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with unexpected teams in the same room, unleashing bold thinking to solve complex logistics challenges at scale. We champion curiosity and decisive action, value kindness alongside ambition, and empower you with the tools, partnerships, and freedom to shape how living medicines reach patients across the world. Call to Action: Lead the global nerve center of cell therapy logistics and build the systems, teams, and partnerships that move cures to patients faster—bring your expertise and make your mark. Where can I find out more? Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram Our US Footprint: Powering Scientific Innovation - YouTube #LI-Hybrid Date Posted 07-Oct-2026 Closing Date 22-Oct-2026 Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.