Operations Implementation Lead

BE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE

Position: Global Clinical Operations Implementation Lead
Contract Type: Full time – Permanent
Travel Remit: Global
Travel Required: Less than 20%
Location: Manila, Philippines, Lisbon Portugal

We are looking for a Global Clinical Operations Implementation Lead to lead and coordinate complex Clinical Trials and Clinical Logistics implementation projects across our global network.

This is a global project leadership role working across Operations, IT, Quality, Customer Service, Finance, Legal, Procurement and other functions. The role will ensure that operational requirements are clearly defined, implementation activities are effectively governed, and new solutions are delivered in a structured, compliant and customer-focused manner.

The successful candidate will work within a global matrix environment and will be expected to influence stakeholders, manage competing priorities, resolve implementation challenges and drive projects through to successful completion.

Main Contributions

Global Implementation Leadership (50%)

• Acts as a Project Manager, following DePiCT guidelines and ensuring all project artifacts are correctly documented and stored.

• Lead cross-functional teams to drive implementation projects across Clinical Logistics operations.

• Lead project scope definition and assure operational requirements for Clinical Logistics implementation projects are identified, agreed and communicated across the workstreams.

• Understand operational solutions and respective processes and provide structured guidance to stakeholders.

• Assure implementation actions are delivered by respective workstreams in accordance with the standard Clinical implementation framework, as defined in the relevant SOPs.

• Escalate project or implementation blockers to the appropriate project owner, sponsor, line manager or SLT member when required.

• Support successful project completion on time and on budget, with effective management of risks, issues and dependencies.

• Take ownership of operational actions, when and if needed, ensuring completion according to agreed project plans, timelines and priorities.

Governance, Change Control and Continuous Improvement (30%)

• Ensure implementation governance is aligned with the Clinical Global Operating Procedure and implementation standards.

• Use ETQ as the primary system to control change and work packages within the Clinical team.

• Capture, validate and assess change requests in alignment with project teams and relevant functional experts.

• Coordinate the delivery of change with support from the appropriate resources and matrix stakeholders.

• Create and coordinate completion of actions for Change Controls related to projects where the role acts as Operations SME.

• Monitor Change Control closure status and support timely completion in line with ETQ governance expectations.

• Maintain implementation processes and advance them through lessons learned, continuous improvement and peer review.

• Drive quality assurance across implementation work by supporting peer reviews and process discipline.

• Support SOP creation and improvements to the Clinical implementation process.

Operational Requirements and Systems Testing (20%)

• Work with Operations BPO and IT to support the development of test scripts and coordinate operational testing activities.

• Provide implementation guidance on operational processes and systems, including Blue Yonder and Centiro where relevant.

Stakeholders

• Lead cross-functional implementation teams within a complex global matrix organization.

• Work closely with DHL teams across Operations, Operations Development, Quality, Customer Services, Legal, Finance, IT, Risk, Trade Compliance, Procurement among others.

• Build relationships and interact with global customers, suppliers and DHL stakeholders where required.

• Communicate with senior stakeholders across different functional areas and legal entities within DHL Group.

• Engage vendors and, when needed, customers to support implementation delivery and governance alignment.

• Partner with SLT and the line manager for escalations, support and decision-making in complex implementation topics.

Requirements

Experience & Industry

• Strong experience in Life Sciences, Healthcare, Clinical Trials Logistics or a related regulated environment.

• Experience leading operations, logistics or supply chain implementation projects.

• Strong understanding of Life Sciences supply chain, transportation and warehousing processes.

• Knowledge of Clinical Trials supply chain requirements and operational dynamics.

• Experience working with international teams across different countries and time zones.

• Experience leading projects within a matrix organization involving multiple functions and stakeholders.

Technical & Functional Skills

• Strong project management and implementation capability.

• Experience managing project scope, timelines, resources, risks and quality.

• Ability to identify operational requirements and translate them into practical solutions.

• Experience coordinating operational testing with Operations and IT.

• Knowledge of change-control and SOP-based implementation frameworks.

• Experience with Blue Yonder and/or Centiro is desirable.

• Knowledge of Clinical Logistics, temperature-controlled logistics or LifeSciences supply chains is highly desirable.

• Understanding of regulatory requirements associated with the storage and distribution of Clinical Trial Materials.

Leadership & Behavioural Skills

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to influence and lead stakeholders without direct authority.

• Strong ownership, accountability and decision-making capability.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Ability to manage complex and competing priorities.

• Strong communication skills with senior stakeholders, customers and external partners.

• Comfortable working across different cultures, countries and time zones.

• Continuous improvement mindset with a strong focus on quality and execution.

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent professional experience.

• Relevant qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Life Sciences, Business or Project Management is desirable.

• Fluent English.

• Additional languages are an advantage.

If this sounds like a team, you'd like to join … keep reading.

What you'll need to do next?

If you have a proven track record of achievement to match the requirements for this role and you are looking for your next career move, simply apply online ensuring that a full up to date CV is attached with your application.

We will ensure that all our resourcing activities are fair, transparent, and consistent across the Globe. We want to ensure that the candidate experience is of the highest professional standard.

The Company is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all employees. Furthermore, we aim to ensure our workplaces are free from discrimination and that not only employees but also our potential future employees are treated fairly and with dignity and respect. We will ensure that equality of opportunity maintains a high profile in our organisation.