Pharma’s Operational Evolution: Talent Strategies in the Post-Pandemic World:

The pharmaceutical industry has entered a period of significant transformation. As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global markets, companies have had to redesign supply chains and implement tighter regulatory restrictions, whilst facing more competition for skilled talent amid ongoing labour shortages. As operations become more complex, the demand is rising for a new kind of professional – people who bring not just technical expertise and regulatory knowledge, but also digital fluency and the ability to adapt quickly as business needs shift.

Pharma’s Post-COVID Shift:

Before the pandemic, operational excellence in pharma was mainly about cost control and regulatory compliance. Those priorities still matter. However, they’re no longer enough on their own.

Today, new expectations are reshaping how pharma companies operate.

Key trends include:

• Surging complexity from inflation and geopolitical instability.
• A 25% rise in EBITA risk from global supply chain disruptions.
• A 21% share of pipeline drugs now consisting of advanced therapies like mRNA and gene therapies – up from just 11% pre-COVID.
• An urgent need for speed-to-market to keep pace with innovation and regulatory fast-tracking.

These pressures have made traditional operational models feel outdated. In response, forward-looking organisations are rethinking how they structure, source, and scale their operations – and most importantly, who they hire to lead that change.

The importance of Value Chain & Supply Talent:

Pharma’s success increasingly depends on professionals who can manage complexity, mitigate disruption, and build flexibility into the value chain. Supply, manufacturing, and distribution roles, that were once seen as tactical are now strategic.

We are seeing a growing demand for:

• End-to-end supply chain leaders with both technical fluency and resilience strategy experience.
• Operational specialists who understand localised, fragmented business models but can think globally.
• Digital transformation leads who can apply data to improve visibility and risk management across sites.
• Regulatory operations professionals able to keep innovation fast and compliant.
• Pharma companies need more than functional experts – they need cross-functional problem solvers. They’re not just competing with each other for that talent, but also with tech, logistics, and manufacturing industries.

How Top Pharma Companies Are Transforming Talent Acquisition:

As the post-pandemic pharmaceutical landscape continues to evolve, operational excellence centres on having access to talent that is not only highly skilled but also regulatory-ready and adaptable to rapid change.

Here’s how forward-thinking organisations are refining their approach to talent sourcing:

• Bridging the Talent Gap in High-Demand Roles – with demand for STEM and digital talent outpacing supply by over 20%, pharma companies are expanding their search beyond traditional talent pools. Many are looking to similar industries for transferable skills in supply chain, quality assurance, and digital operations.
• Ensuring Regulatory and Technical Readiness – in regulated sectors like pharma, compliance is non-negotiable. Organisations are making their selection process more detailed and thorough to ensure every hire meets critical regulatory standards – covering certifications, clearances, and audit-readiness from the start. This is especially important in quality, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing roles, where non-compliance can cause significant operational delays.
• Aligning Talent Strategy with Operating Models – as pharma firms shift to hybrid or localised models, their hiring strategies are becoming more flexible – combining permanent, project-based, and contingent talent to stay flexible and cost-effective.

Our Role at Experts Group International:

Pharma operations have entered a new era – where uncertainty is the norm, and adaptability is everything. That means leadership teams must think differently about their hiring: not just what skills they need, but how, where, and when they secure them.

Whether you’re expanding domestic production, building resilient supply chains, or evolving your talent model, this is now the time to rethink your approach to hiring.

We match top-performing professionals with pharmaceutical companies looking for talent in the following areas:

• Finance (candidates with degrees in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related fields are preferred).
• Sales (Preferably with previous sales experience).
• HR (Candidates with degrees in HR, Business, or related disciplines preferred).

If you’re recruiting in the value chain space, our consulting team can help you build a strategy that fits your operational goals here.

Lastly, if you are exploring new work opportunities within the Value Chain industry, click here to see our available roles.