Eli Lilly

Associate Director- Cold Chain Transportation COE

Eli Lilly$127K — $187K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Science or related field
  • 5+ years in global transportation or logistics operations
  • 3+ years experience in cold chain or temperature-controlled logistics in a regulated industry
  • Hands-on experience with TMS and IoT monitoring platforms
  • PMP or equivalent project management certification

Responsibilities

  • Drive global transportation strategy for temperature-controlled shipments
  • Ensure GDP/GMP compliance across markets
  • Manage business continuity plans for transportation
  • Oversee multi-modal transportation operations and partner with carriers
  • Resolve operational issues and conduct performance reviews
  • Lead project management for key COE initiatives
  • Support transportation quality and regulatory compliance

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision
  • 401(k) and pension plan participation
  • Generous paid time off and leave of absence benefits
  • Well-being programs including fitness benefits and employee assistance
  • Opportunities for professional development and coaching
Full Job Description
Position Summary

The Associate Director actively drives the Global Transportation and Cold Chain strategic and operational agenda. The role combines driving strategic and operational initiatives as well as hands-on operational execution for transportation activities with project management leadership for key COE initiatives that advance Lilly's global logistics network. This role will actively support the transportation transformation initiative enabled by the implementation of Regional Transportation Hubs.

This is a working leadership role for a candidate who can move fluidly between operational problem-solving (carrier issues, excursion management, customs holds, lane performance) and structured project delivery (productivity initiatives, cold chain qualifications, compliance programs). The ideal candidate brings deep cold chain and transportation expertise, working knowledge of GDP, and the discipline to support Transportation Quality and regulatory processes across multiple geographies.

Key Responsibilities

Transportation Center of Excellence

  • Execute the global transportation strategy across all temperature-controlled lanes and modes
  • Maintain GDP/GMP-compliant standards for cold chain shipments across markets
  • Maintain and execute business continuity plans for transportation disruptions
  • Drive IoT monitoring use and own the operational response to temperature excursions
  • Oversee multi-modal transportation operations (air, ocean, ground, parcel)
  • Provide operational oversight of carriers, freight forwarders, and 3PLs against SLAs and KPIs
  • Support import/export operations including customs clearance, documentation andnINCOTERMS application,
  • Optimize lanes and networks for cost, service, sustainability, and compliance
  • Collaborates with TMS adoption, real-time visibility tooling, and analytics rollouts
  • Partner with Import/Export Compliance teams to ensure trade, customs, and hazmat compliance across jurisdictions
  • Support thermal packaging selection, qualification, and lane-specific validations


Operational Execution

  • Serve as the COE's operational point of accountability for transportation business processes
  • Triage and resolve in-flight transportation issues, escalations, and exceptions
  • Run operational governance cadences (carrier reviews, lane performance, excursion reviews)
  • Drive root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions on recurring operational issues


Project Management for Key Initiatives

  • Lead end-to-end project management for COE initiatives (scoping, planning, stakeholder alignment, execution, closeout)
  • Manage cross-functional workstreams across Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Trade Compliance, IT, and Commercial
  • Maintain integrated project plans, risk/issue logs, and executive-ready status reporting
  • Apply structured PM methodology (stage-gate, Agile, or hybrid) appropriate to each initiative


Transportation Quality & Regulatory Compliance

  • Apply GDP knowledge to support compliance with Transportation Quality and regulatory processes
  • Partner with Quality on deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and audit readiness for transportation activities
  • Ensure sound risk analysis and documentation for our transportation processes
  • Support inspections and audits (internal, regulatory, customer) related to transportation and cold chain


Leadership & Cross-Functional Responsibilities

Operational Excellence

  • Support KPI definition and governance across the COE's global transportation and cold chain operations
  • Drive continuous improvement using Lean / Six Sigma methods
  • Support the Global Transportation transformation initiative, including the Regional Transportation Hubs rollout


Stakeholder Engagement

  • Partner daily with Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Trade Compliance, and Commercial teams
  • Maintain working relationships with logistics service providers and cold chain solution providers
  • Represent the COE in cross-functional forums and operational reviews


Change Management

  • Champion adoption of new transportation processes, systems, and digital tools
  • Build cross-functional alignment on operational changes driven by COE initiatives
  • Coach and develop more junior team members and matrixed contributors on transportation operations and project delivery


Basic Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Science or related field
  • 5+ years in global transportation or logistics operations with direct accountability for carrier management, lane performance, and cross-border shipment execution - including 3+ years specifically in cold chain or temperature-controlled logistics in a regulated industry
  • Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.


Additional Preferences
  • Master's degree in Supply Chain Management or MBA
  • Hands-on TMS experience (SAP TM, Oracle TMS, MercuryGate, or equivalent) and IoT monitoring platforms (Sensitech, Berlinger, Controlant, or equivalent)
  • Import/export operational experience: trade documentation, INCOTERMS, customs clearance across multiple jurisdictions
  • Accountable project lead on cross-functional initiatives with defined scope, schedule, and stakeholder reporting from initiation through closeout
  • Pharmaceutical or regulated-industry background on the shipper side - not exclusively CDMO or 3PL
  • APICS CSCP, CLTD, or CTL certification
  • PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification
  • Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt
  • Hands-on experience managing temperature excursion investigations end-to-end and serving as a named contributor or lead on cold chain packaging qualification studies (thermal, lane, or modal)
  • GDP applied in a regulated transportation environment: authored or reviewed deviation reports, supported CAPAs, and participated in transportation audits


Certifications (Preferred)

  • APICS CSCP, CLTD, or CTL certification
  • PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification
  • Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt


Core Competencies

  • Technical Expertise: Cold chain transportation operations, GDP compliance, import/export, TMS, supply chain analytics
  • Project Management: Structured delivery of cross-functional initiatives from scoping through closeout
  • Operational Acumen: Hands-on problem-solving for in-flight transportation issues
  • Collaboration: Strong cross-functional partnership across Quality, Procurement, Manufacturing, and external providers
  • Communication: Clear written and verbal communication with operational and executive audiences


Industry Knowledge

  • Global regulatory landscape for pharmaceuticals, biologics, or high-value temperature-sensitive goods
  • International trade compliance and import/export operations
  • Transportation Quality standards and audit/inspection readiness


Working Conditions

  • Full-time on-site at Corporate Headquarters
  • Up to 15% international travel
  • Occasional after-hours availability to support global operations across time zones


Actual compensation will depend on a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$127,500 - $187,000

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly's compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

About Eli Lilly

ICOS Corporation is a biotechnology company that engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutic products. It is engaged in the commercialization of treatments for unmet medical conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. It is the developer of a treatment known as Cialis (tadalafil), a product for the treatment of erectile dysfunction through its joint venture with Eli Lilly and Company in North America and Europe. It is also engaged in contract manufacturing services for third parties. It is in a strategic alliance with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ICOS Corporation was established in 1989, based in Bothell, Washington. It is currently operated by Eli Lilly and Company.

Eli Lilly Careers

Joining Eli Lilly offers an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a leading global team dedicated to creating a healthier future. As a company revered for its commitment to innovation and leadership in the pharmaceutical industry, Eli Lilly is where your professional journey can flourish. Work You’ll Do At Eli Lilly, we are passionate about transforming patient care and advancing medical innovation. Our team at Eli Lilly is at the forefront of developing groundbreaking solutions in healthcare. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using cutting-edge technology to make real-world impacts. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Eli Lilly stands out in the marketplace by integrating deep industry expertise with robust research and development efforts. We are looking for professionals who are eager to drive change and lead the way in developing therapeutic breakthroughs. Explore Job Opportunities and Growth Eli Lilly offers a variety of career paths, including full-time positions and internships, across multiple functions such as research, marketing, IT, and sales. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Eli Lilly provides an environment that promotes career growth and learning opportunities. Our commitment to diversity and leadership training ensures that every employee can achieve their potential. Be Part of Our Team Our team at Eli Lilly is committed to excellence and driven by a mission to improve lives. Employees enjoy a supportive culture that values collaboration, creativity, and diversity. We believe that a diverse workforce fosters innovation and helps us better connect with the communities we serve. Benefits and Culture Eli Lilly is dedicated to supporting our employees, offering competitive benefits, wellness programs, and comprehensive health care. Our culture is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and quality, making Eli Lilly not just a great place to work, but a community to grow with. Networking and Professional Development Eli Lilly encourages continuous professional development and networking. With access to various training programs and mentorship opportunities, employees can enhance their skills and advance their careers. Our leadership is committed to nurturing talent through effective training and development strategies. Join Our Team Discover the exciting job opportunities at Eli Lilly by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who are passionate, innovative, and ready to contribute to our mission of making life better for people around the globe. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest at Eli Lilly by following our careers blog. Gain insights from industry leaders and get tips on everything from crafting the perfect resume to preparing for your interview. Eli Lilly is not just a company—it's a place where you can make a difference. Explore the positions available and find out how your talents can help change the world. SEARCH ELI LILLY JOBS Stay ahead in your career with Eli Lilly, where innovation, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and growth lead the way to future advancements.
Learn more about Eli Lilly
Size
35,000 employees
Market Cap
$344.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.1 billion
Founded
1876
5 Year Trend
+5.9%
Revenue
$24.5 billion
NASDAQ

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