Operations Director (Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Distribution)

Job description

This is a high-impact, cross-functional Director-level leadership role for an experienced operations professional ready to own end-to-end distribution performance in a regulated healthcare environment. The incumbent will define and execute the operational strategy that keeps products moving safely, compliantly and efficiently — from warehouse to patient— across pharmaceutical, healthcare, animal health and consumer distribution (GDP-regulated). Working closely with sales, market access, business development, regulatory and finance teams, the role builds the operational infrastructure that enables growth while upholding the highest standards of GDP compliance, cold chain integrity and service excellence. The role requires flexibility and willingness to travel across sites and, where applicable, to regulatory authority locations. The incumbent will be required to continuously improve operational efficiency. Operational Strategy & Leadership Define and execute a 3-year operations strategy aligned to business growth and regulatory obligations. Lead transformation programmes to improve efficiency, scalability, and service across the distribution network. Drive a culture of continuous improvement, operational discipline, and safety-first thinking. Act as the operational voice at the leadership table — translating business goals into executable plans. Pharma Supply Chain & Logistics & Procurement Management Oversee warehousing, inventory management, transportation, and last-mile distribution for pharmaceutical and healthcare products. Ensure rigorous GDP-compliant handling, storage, and transportation protocols across all facilities. Manage cold chain operations for temperature-sensitive products, including serialisation and traceability requirements. Own demand planning, forecasting accuracy, and stock availability to prevent stockouts or expiry losses. Manage the direct and indirect procurement processes, develop and maintain relationships with 3PL partners, freight forwarders, and regulatory-approved logistics vendors. Regulatory Compliance & Quality Ensure full compliance with GDP (Good Distribution Practice) guidelines and local regulatory authority requirements. Maintain all distribution licenses, certifications, and regulatory filings; proactively manage renewals and audits. Lead internal compliance audits and manage regulatory inspections with professionalism and preparedness. Implement and maintain SOPs across warehousing, cold chain, recalls, and adverse event reporting. Oversee quality management systems (QMS) and deviation/CAPA processes. P&L and Cost Management Own operational budgets and drive cost optimisation without compromising compliance or service quality. Track and improve cost-to-serve, inventory turnover, shrinkage, and logistics unit economics. Identify and execute margin enhancement initiatives through vendor negotiation, route optimisation, and productivity gains. Deliver regular financial performance reporting to the AEC GM. Process Excellence & Digital Transformation Implement best-in-class SOPs and leverage ERP platform to drive operational visibility. Lead the adoption of digital tools — including data analytics, serialisation platforms, and automation — across distribution operations. Ensure all systems and processes are audit-ready and aligned to regulatory expectations at all times. Team Leadership & Development Lead, and develop a high-performing operations team across warehousing, logistics, compliance, and planning functions. Establish clear KPIs, performance management frameworks, and succession plans. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, psychological safety, and operational excellence. Coach and mentor functional managers to build organisational depth and capability. Commercial & Customer Alignment Partner closely with commercial teams to align operational capacity with sales growth plans and customer commitments. Own SLA delivery — OTIF, order accuracy, returns management — as a commercial differentiator. Represent operations in key customer meetings and tender/bid processes where operational credibility matters. Support business development by structuring scalable operational models for new principal agreements, distribution contracts, and market entry opportunities — providing cost-to-serve modelling, capacity assessments, and operational due diligence to underpin commercial negotiations. Risk Management & Business Continuity Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks including supply disruptions, cold chain failures, and regulatory non-compliance. Own and maintain business continuity plans (BCP) for critical distribution operations. Manage product recall and returns processes in line with regulatory requirements. Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related field. MBA or postgraduate qualification in Supply Chain, Operations, or Business. Experience Requirements: 10–15+ years of progressive experience in operations and/or logistics within pharmaceutical, healthcare, or regulated FMCG distribution. Demonstrated experience managing GDP-regulated distribution environments. Proven leadership of large, multi-functional teams and multi-site operations. Hands-on experience with ERP/WMS systems and process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma). Track record of leading successful regulatory audits and maintaining clean compliance records. Experience operating in the GCC / MENA region, with knowledge of local regulatory bodies (MOH, SFDA, DHA, HAAD, or equivalent). Exposure to cold chain and serialisation/track-and-trace platforms. Experience with digital transformation programmes in warehouse or logistics operations. Skills and Abilities: Deep knowledge of GDP and pharma supply chain; data-driven decision-making and analytics; ERP/WMS/TMS system fluency; risk and compliance management; strategic thinking with strong execution. Lean / Six Sigma / process excellence certification; stakeholder influence at C-suite level; commercially aware and customer-focused mindset. Established in 1977, Arabian Ethicals takes pride in being a top healthcare player in the UAE. As the exclusive representative and distributor of many multinational pharmaceutical, consumer, and veterinary products in the UAE, the Company serves over 2,000 pharmacies, 150 hospitals, 600 hypermarkets, supermarkets and specialty stores, in addition to more than 100 veterinary clinics and farms.