Operations Manager

Location: London (3 days in our cental London office) 

Salary: £50-65k, depending on experience  

Employment type: Full-time 

Experience level: 6-8 years

About Simple Pharma

Simple Pharma’s purpose is to be the best home for proven pharma products.

The pharma industry overspends on pharma operations by €100bn per year, putting the success of their pharma products at risk and creating inefficiencies in the healthcare system.

Simple Pharma is building the first end-to-end distribution and compliance services company for pharma product owners. Our Distribute and Comply services allow intellectual property owners to focus on their products without needing to build or maintain pharma backbone capabilities. We pick up from manufacturers and deliver to wholesalers and pharmacies, taking care of everything else in between to keep products in supply. We hold marketing authorisations and comply with all regulatory requirements to maintain the highest possible standard of quality and patient safety. And we do this across Europe with the aspiration to expand globally.

Founded in 2019, we have scaled our operations to manage close to 100,000 units per month and 60 marketing authorisations across 25 countries. Our diverse and combined team has more than 30 people across 7 countries, speaking more than 10 languages. We are EBITDA profitable, growing, and are participating in a market that is ripe for new thinking.

At Simple Pharma, our core values— Knowledge and transparency, Agency, First Principle Thinking & Humility—guie our actions every day. They shape our daily operations and interactions. Whether it’s empowering a colleague with the right information, proactively addressing challenges, or embracing feedback, we live these values every day to ensure that Simple Pharma is a place where innovation thrives, and excellence is the norm.

Requirements

We’re looking for a motivated and creative Operations Manager to lead the growing Operations team that is responsible for Inbound, Outbound and Client Operations. We are seeking an individual who can bring structure in an operation that often is ambiguous. This individual will have the opportunity to be a leader in a growing team, and help shape the culture of the business in the coming years. 

This is a highly entrepreneurial role in an exciting, early-stage business where you will be encouraged to contribute ideas and help shape the company’s trajectory. 

What you will be doing ⚙️

1. Supply Chain Management

• • End-to-End Supply Chain Oversight: Manage and optimise the entire pharmaceutical supply chain, from sourcing raw materials where required, to the delivery of finished products to customers. 
  • Ownership of Supply Plan: Oversee the business’s supply plan, ensuring that production and inventory align with business forecasts and customer demand. Collaborate with internal and client sales teams to ensure supply matches demand in a timely and cost-effective manner. 
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure full adherence to pharmaceutical regulations such as Good Distribution Practices (GDP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ensuring that supply chain operations comply with all internal and external requirements. Leading the team to coordinate transportation of products with our 3P partners, ensuring compliance with GDP requirements. 
  • Monitor and determine optimum inventory levels and ensure accurate tracking of goods for 3P providers and manufacturers. 

2. Operational Service Delivery

• • Operations Efficency: Continuously assess and optimize supply chain processes, including inventory control, warehousing, logistics, and transportation, to enhance efficiency, reduce lead times, and minimize costs. 
  • Process Standardisation: Develop and enforce standardized processes for supply chain functions to drive consistency, scalability, and excellence across operations. 
  • Risk Management: Proactively identify potential supply chain risks (e.g., supply disruptions, regulatory changes) and implement mitigation strategies to maintain continuous operations. 
  • Financial Performance: Identifying opportunities for improved financial performance, including improved commercial terms and network optimisation.  
  • Ensure seamless integration of 3PL data with internal data structure and other operational software tools for real-time visibility and control. 
  • Use advanced data analytics tools and dashboards to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), driving real-time insights for decision-making. 

3. 3PL Relationship Management 

• Act as the primary escalation point of contact for third-party logistics providers, including warehousing, transportation, and order fulfilment services. 

• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with third-party partners to ensure high-quality service delivery. 

• Monitor performance metrics and work with 3PL providers to resolve operational issues, improve efficiency, and optimize workflows. 

4. Team Management and Leadership: 

• Manage and develop a team of supply chain professionals, including planners, buyers, and logistics coordinators. 

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and operational excellence. 

• Provide training, mentorship, and performance evaluations to ensure the team’s effectiveness. 

• Required Skills and Qualifications:
  • • 6-8 years of relevant professional experience within pharma or adjacent fields 
    • Prior decision-making responsibility for regulatory product lifecycle management   
    • Problem-solver with high attention to detail 
    • A can-do, no excuses attitude 
    • Someone who can take ownership of tasks and drive them to completion 
    • Humility and a desire to improve 
    • A love of lean, well-oiled processes and operational efficiency  
    • Motivation to join an early stage, high-growth business 

Benefits

Competitive salary: £x** based on experience, ensuring you're rewarded fairly.

Employee Stock Option. From day one, you’ll receive stock options, making you a true partner in Simple Pharma’s success.

❤️ Comprehensive Private Medical and Dental Insurance: We've got you covered with top-tier health benefits.

Learning & Development : Enjoy an annual allowance for professional growth, plus 2 days of paid study leave to support your development.

25 days of holidays a year (plus bank holidays)and an option to buy 5 days per year.

Work from anywhere: Flexibility to work from abroad for the entire month of August.

August Holiday Perk: Use 7 holiday days and get an additional 3 days free.

☀️Summer Hours: Enjoy 2pm Friday finishes during July and August.

Team Activities: We believe in the power of team bonding and regularly organise company-wide events and overseas company off-sites.

Dog-Friendly Office: You'll find a pup or 2 around our dog-friendly office

Cycle to Work Scheme

⚡High-Performance Team: Join an ambitious and dynamic team that’s passionate about excellence.

⏫ Continuous Investment: Benefit from ample training opportunities and resources.

Career Growth: Experience rapid professional and personal development, opening doors to multiple career paths.