Director, Head of Distribution Channel Operations
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
14 hours ago
Remote friendly (Carlsbad, CA)
United States
Operations
Responsibilities:
- Define and lead Ionis’ channel operations strategy across Specialty Pharmacies, Specialty Distributors, and other key distribution channel accounts.
- Design, govern, and continuously improve the end-to-end distribution channel operating model (forecasting, inventory management, allocation, reporting, partner management, issue escalation).
- Serve as senior Trade & Distribution lead for U.S. Commercial Distribution in S&OP/IBP, launch readiness, and cross-functional business planning.
- Own short-, mid-, and long-range distribution channel demand forecasting; support product/account forecasting.
- Establish inventory strategies/targets/guardrails and lead allocation recommendations balancing patient need, contractual commitments, service expectations, and commercial priorities.
- Oversee channel inventory, ordering patterns, service performance, and KPIs; lead cross-functional action plans.
- Develop executive reporting/dashboards/business reviews translating channel performance and demand signals into recommendations.
- Build and sustain senior relationships with distribution partners and key accounts; lead partner governance and performance management.
- Provide operational perspectives to influence channel contracting strategy.
- Partner with Supply Chain, I&A, Finance, FP&A, Brand Sales/Marketing, Market Access, Sales, and Patient Services to align strategy to business plans.
- Define policies/standards/decision frameworks; apply expertise across pharmacy benefit and medical benefit products.
- Lead capability development (org design, processes, talent strategy, succession planning); drive accountability via direct/matrix influence.
- Ensure decisions support compliance expectations, patient access, and business continuity.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Operations/Business/Engineering/Finance or related (advanced degree preferred).
- 15+ years progressive leadership in pharmaceutical/biotech channel operations, trade, distribution, supply chain, or related commercial functions.
- Deep experience with Specialty Pharmacies/Distributors, 3PLs, and limited/exclusive distribution networks.
- Proven success in forecasting, inventory strategy, allocation, and partner performance in constrained environments.
- Strong understanding of U.S. pharmaceutical distribution models and pharmacy benefit vs medical benefit implications.
- Cross-functional leadership (Supply Chain, Finance/Accounting/FP&A, Patient Services, Sales, Marketing, Market Access).
- Strong analytics; hands-on Excel, predictive modeling, and BI tools (Power BI/Tableau or similar).
Preferred:
- Experience supporting launch products and evolving distribution models; high-touch/specialty therapies.
- Experience building/scaling/redesigning a function or operating model.
- Familiarity with IDN, health system, and site-of-care distribution.
Application:
- Apply via Ionis careers; reference requisition # IONIS003901.
- Travel: ~20–25%.
- Define and lead Ionis’ channel operations strategy across Specialty Pharmacies, Specialty Distributors, and other key distribution channel accounts.
- Design, govern, and continuously improve the end-to-end distribution channel operating model (forecasting, inventory management, allocation, reporting, partner management, issue escalation).
- Serve as senior Trade & Distribution lead for U.S. Commercial Distribution in S&OP/IBP, launch readiness, and cross-functional business planning.
- Own short-, mid-, and long-range distribution channel demand forecasting; support product/account forecasting.
- Establish inventory strategies/targets/guardrails and lead allocation recommendations balancing patient need, contractual commitments, service expectations, and commercial priorities.
- Oversee channel inventory, ordering patterns, service performance, and KPIs; lead cross-functional action plans.
- Develop executive reporting/dashboards/business reviews translating channel performance and demand signals into recommendations.
- Build and sustain senior relationships with distribution partners and key accounts; lead partner governance and performance management.
- Provide operational perspectives to influence channel contracting strategy.
- Partner with Supply Chain, I&A, Finance, FP&A, Brand Sales/Marketing, Market Access, Sales, and Patient Services to align strategy to business plans.
- Define policies/standards/decision frameworks; apply expertise across pharmacy benefit and medical benefit products.
- Lead capability development (org design, processes, talent strategy, succession planning); drive accountability via direct/matrix influence.
- Ensure decisions support compliance expectations, patient access, and business continuity.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Operations/Business/Engineering/Finance or related (advanced degree preferred).
- 15+ years progressive leadership in pharmaceutical/biotech channel operations, trade, distribution, supply chain, or related commercial functions.
- Deep experience with Specialty Pharmacies/Distributors, 3PLs, and limited/exclusive distribution networks.
- Proven success in forecasting, inventory strategy, allocation, and partner performance in constrained environments.
- Strong understanding of U.S. pharmaceutical distribution models and pharmacy benefit vs medical benefit implications.
- Cross-functional leadership (Supply Chain, Finance/Accounting/FP&A, Patient Services, Sales, Marketing, Market Access).
- Strong analytics; hands-on Excel, predictive modeling, and BI tools (Power BI/Tableau or similar).
Preferred:
- Experience supporting launch products and evolving distribution models; high-touch/specialty therapies.
- Experience building/scaling/redesigning a function or operating model.
- Familiarity with IDN, health system, and site-of-care distribution.
Application:
- Apply via Ionis careers; reference requisition # IONIS003901.
- Travel: ~20–25%.