Director, Global Operations

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Office, Warehouse

Job Description

Job Description: Director, Global Operations 

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you will discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. 

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer! 

Position Summary 

The Director of Global Operations will lead Production Chemicals and Services global business operations across supply chain, distribution, order management, inbound freight logistics, global trade compliance, inventory management, and customer experience. This highly visible role ensures end-to-end operational excellence, customer reliability, and cost efficiency across a global distribution network. 

In addition to driving execution, the Director will champion strategic initiatives such as network optimization, digital planning roadmaps, and process efficiency. Partnering with General Managers and cross-functional teams, this leader will align operations with business objectives while building agility, scalability, and continuous improvement into the organization. Central to the role is embedding initiatives into the BCD Way of Supply Chain Planning, ensuring consistent practices, stronger collaboration, and progress toward long-term supply chain goals. 

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership & Strategy 

• Provide strategic direction and oversight of global supply chain, distribution, and operational teams. 

• Align operational functions under a single leadership framework (“single point of truth”) to ensure consistency, visibility, and accountability. 

• Partner with senior leadership and General Managers to align supply chain strategies with business growth objectives.

 

Operational Excellence & Optimization 

• Develop and implement systems, processes, and procedures for effective and efficient order fulfillment. 

• Streamline operations through Lean, PPI (Practical Process Improvement), and OPEX initiatives to reduce waste and costs. 

• Optimize inbound and outbound flows to improve CPP (Cost per Piece/Pound) and overall logistics efficiency. 

• Deploy best practices in forecasting, inventory management, and supply planning to enable long-term scalability.

 

Supply Chain Network Optimization 

• Lead initiatives to optimize network design including warehouse footprint, transportation routes, and inventory placement. 

• Use advanced analytics and modeling tools to evaluate scenarios and recommend optimal solutions. 

• Execute a digital roadmap for supply chain planning, inclusive of demand, supply, and production planning initiatives.

 

Customer Experience & Performance 

• Champion a customer-first mindset across all functions. 

• Drive improvements in CAS (Customer Allegiance Score) and other service KPIs. 

• Address supplier-related issues, extended lead times, and unmet customer expectations through proactive problem-solving.

 

Compliance & Risk Management 

• Ensure compliance with global trade regulations, cGMP, ISO 9001, DOT, EH&S, and other applicable standards. 

• Partner with PCS Quality teams to integrate order management, purchasing, and training into the PCS Quality System. 

• Develop and execute supplier management, contingency, and continuity plans to mitigate SCM risks. 

• Lead internal and external audit readiness and participation.

 

People Leadership 

• Build and lead high-performing global teams with strong succession planning. 

• Mentor regional leaders and site managers, fostering safety, accountability, and collaboration. 

• Promote engagement through coaching, training, and leadership development.

 

Data-Driven Decision Making 

• Establish and refine robust S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) processes. 

• Leverage analytics to provide insights to improve forecast accuracy and enable strategic business decisions. 

• Monitor and report on KPIs to ensure alignment with corporate goals.

 

Key Metrics / KPIs 

• Operational Performance: Order fulfillment accuracy, On-time Delivery, OTIF (On-Time In-Full), inventory accuracy, forecast accuracy. 

• Financial Metrics: Logistics cost per pound, distribution cost as % of sales, cost-to-serve, transportation/warehouse savings. 

• Customer Metrics: CAS score, customer service levels in markets. 

• Compliance & Risk: Audit pass rates, adherence to global inventory entitlement, obsolescence reduction. 

• Agility & Improvement: End-to-End supply chain lead time, cycle time improvements, on-time delivery of strategic initiatives (time, scope, budget, CRD). 

• People & Culture: Employee turnover, engagement, talent development, and safety performance.

 

Qualifications 

Minimum Requirements 

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

• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in global supply chain, distribution, or business operations. 

• Strong business and analytical acumen with demonstrated success in managing complex global operations. 

• Experience leading process optimization and continuous improvement (Lean, PPI, OPEX). 

• Solid understanding of cGMP Quality Systems, global trade compliance, and regulatory frameworks. 

• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing, geographically dispersed teams. 

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Advanced degree (MBA or Master’s in Supply Chain/Operations). 

• Supply Chain certifications (CSCP, CPSM, or equivalent). 

• Global cGMP distribution or regulated industry experience. 

• Strong background in large-scale transformation, integration, or digital operations initiatives. 

• 5–7 years of direct people management experience in distribution or supply chain operations.