Supply Chain Now

People & Performance Focused Leadership: Rodrigo Alponti with STADA Group

The Supply Chain Now episode spotlights Rodrigo Alpanti, senior vice‑president of global supply chain at Germany‑based STADA Group, discussing his people‑centric leadership philosophy in the pharmaceutical sector. Alpanti traces his career from fast‑moving consumer goods, through the integration of Gillette in Brazil and leading a 8,000‑person supply chain, to overseeing European operations at Seni. Those roles forged a holistic view that blends operational, financial, and cultural perspectives, which he now applies to STADA’s three‑segment business: consumer health, generics and specialty pharma. He emphasizes that STADA’s supply chain is built on four pillars—distribution, customer service, planning, and a dedicated excellence function—supporting roughly 1,000 employees and over 26,000 SKUs. A recurring theme is patient‑first decision‑making: “we put patients at the center, even if it means higher cost,” he says, noting that missing a market cedes it to competitors. The conversation underscores that modern pharma supply chains are far from linear; they must juggle diverse regulatory regimes, market demands, and emerging AI tools while maintaining high service levels. Executives who prioritize people, cross‑cultural alignment, and continuous excellence will better navigate this complexity and safeguard patient outcomes.