Job Description - Supply Chain & Procurement Manager
Industry: Pharmaceutical Wholesale, Distribution, Import & Manufacturing
Sector: Medical Cannabis
Location: Thuringia, Germany
Employment Type: Full-time
Work Model: On-site for around a week a month (flexible arrangement possible)
Company Overview
Our client is a fully licensed medical cannabis import and distribution business in Germany, headquartered in Thuringia and operating under full GDP/GMP alignment. The company is part of a Swiss-based group with broader vertical capabilities, including licensed cultivation assets in Europe.
The business is currently in a strong growth phase, expanding its supplier base, product portfolio, and operational infrastructure. A key next step is the development of a warehouse in Erfurt with dedicated capabilities for packaging, labeling, and GMP-related processes, supported by qualified partners where required.
Given the fast-moving, regulated nature of the German cannabis market, the company requires a supply chain lead who brings structure, speed, and strong coordination across cultivators, GMP processors, QA/QP, and authorities.
Position Overview
The Supply Chain & Procurement Manager will lead and optimize the end-to-end supply chain for medical cannabis products across Germany. This role focuses heavily on supplier management, procurement strategy, import planning, and regulatory-aligned operational execution.
The position is critical to ensuring timely, compliant, and commercially smart sourcing across flowers and emerging formats (extracts, oils, etc.). The role works closely with the Managing Director and cross-functional stakeholders to support growth, forecast demand, qualify new suppliers, and maintain reliable product availability in a complex regulatory environment.
This role can suit either a high-potential junior with strong drive and product affinity or a more experienced professional who thrives in lean, hands-on environments.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Supplier Management
* Own the sourcing strategy for medical cannabis flowers, extracts, APIs, and related materials.
* Identify, evaluate, and onboard EU-GMP-compliant international suppliers.
* Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, volumes, allocation, and supply routes.
* Audit product on quality markers, trends, market fit.
* Partner closely with QA/QP to align supplier qualification, audits, and compliance status.
Import Operations & Regulatory Coordination
* Coordinate BtM import permits, documentation, and authority-facing workflows.
* Ensure compliance with BtMG, AMG, AMRadV, and GDP/GMP requirements.
* Maintain and manage documentation for import approvals, CoAs, batch records, and release readiness.
* Act as a structured interface between suppliers, logistics providers, and internal quality functions.
Supply Planning, Forecasting & Portfolio Development
* Develop demand forecasts with Managing Director and commercial stakeholders.
* Align inbound plans with QP release timelines and operational capacity.
* Support portfolio expansion into new product categories beyond flower.
* Monitor market dynamics, pricing shifts, and availability trends to inform strategy.
Logistics & Scheduling Excellence
* Oversee the scheduling and timing of goods flow from source to German distribution.
* Coordinate with GDP-certified logistics partners with controlled substance experience.
* Ensure reliable lead times and contingency options in a volatile supply environment.
Inventory & Warehouse Interface
* Support BtM-compliant inventory practices and stock planning.
* Help minimise shortage risk and reduce expiry exposure.
* Contribute to operational readiness of the evolving Erfurt warehouse setup.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Work closely with QA, QP, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, Sales, and Finance.
* Provide clear internal updates on supply risks, timelines, and supplier performance.
* Maintain a solutions-first, “find a way within the rules” mindset aligned with team culture.
Mandatory Requirements
Education
* Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, or a related field.
Experience
* 3 - 5+ years in pharmaceutical, regulated, or complex international supply chains.
* Experience in medical cannabis and strong product knowledge in cannabis flowers and concentrates.
* Professional exposure to procurement, supplier coordination, and import logistics.
* Ability to work in a lean, fast-changing environment with high personal ownership.
Skills & Competencies
* Strong understanding of regulated supply chain logic and documentation discipline.
* Confident stakeholder management across suppliers, QA, and authorities.
* Commercially sharp with a pragmatic, operational mindset.
* Fluent German and strong English.
Strongly Preferred
* Experience supporting packaging, labeling, or GMP-adjacent operational setups.
* Experience leading the supply chain and procurement efforts of a German import and distribution business in germany
* You bring a network of vetted suppliers
* Proximity to Erfurt or willingness to be on-site a few days per week.
Personality / Cultural Fit
* Proactive, solutions-driven, and comfortable with ambiguity.
* Strong team player with direct, open communication style.
* Genuinely interested in the medical cannabis and its evolution (no consumption required).
* Comfortable building processes without heavy corporate structure.