Head of Supply Chain

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare - a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

The Head of Supply Chain for Africa is a senior leadership position responsible for providing strategic direction and operational oversight for all end-to-end supply chain activities across the African continent. This role is a key member of the regional Core Team and Extended Leadership Team, serving as a crucial link between regional and global operations. The incumbent will be tasked with co-developing the supply chain strategy, designing robust and resilient distribution networks, and deploying standardized digital solutions. A primary objective is to transform complex logistical, customs, and infrastructure challenges into core competitive advantages, thereby ensuring business continuity and delivering an exceptional customer experience.

1. Co-create and implement the EMEA-LATAM and Africa Network Supply Chain strategy.
2. Establish and govern a unified Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) framework to align commercial demands with regional capabilities.
3. Oversee multi-modal freight, warehousing, and Regional Distribution Centers, driving process optimizations across Order Management, Demand Planning, and distribution to reduce order lead times.
4. Implement a customer-centric local Care model and spearhead digital strategy, including e-ordering, predictive tracking, and customer inventory management, to enhance real-time pipeline visibility and customer experience.
5. Negotiate and manage high-performing 3PL/4PL partnerships, freight forwarders, and clearing agents, optimizing distributor logistics for reliable and cost-effective product access.
6. Partner with Regulatory and Quality teams to enforce strict GxP, Good Distribution Practice (GDP), and cold-chain compliance.
7. Formulate robust business continuity plans and agile mitigation strategies for challenges such as port congestion, forex limits, and policy shifts.
8. Build, coach, and empower a high-performing supply chain team.
9. Support the setup of new legal entities, acting as a transition architect, local talent coach, and stakeholder catalyst.

1. Minimum of 5+ years of senior supply chain leadership experience, demonstrating a strong track record in regional supply chain operations (Order Management, planning, distribution, and customer care).
2. Solid background in Diagnostics or Medical Devices, with deep market knowledge of African healthcare and commercial landscapes.
3. Proven expertise in cold-chain management, GxP/GDP compliance, 3PL/4PL governance, and regional trade frameworks (AfCFTA, EAC, SADC, ECOWAS).
4. Demonstrated ability in leading structural setups, managing transition projects, and implementing digital platforms.
5. Agile, coaching-oriented leadership style that empowers local talent, promotes psychological safety, and builds powerful alignment with local, regional, and global stakeholders.
6. High-level professional fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in French is highly advantageous.