Brian Van Dyke

Associate Director, Supply Chain

Brian is an experienced sourcing manager who has led procurement operations and sourcing for Baxter, Akorn Pharmaceuticals and other global corporations with complex supply chains. He is recognized for his leadership in improving efficiency and productivity across procurement functions, from leading detailed market assessments to innovative purchasing strategies and forging strong supplier partnerships.

Q: Could you describe a day in the life of the Supply Chain team at Long Grove?

A: We’re the bridge between our suppliers and manufacturers, so there are a lot of moving pieces to our work. At a given time, we’re working on new market assessments, negotiating major contracts with international suppliers, and managing timelines for several products at different stages of the development cycle. Partnership is at the heart of it all – partnering with our suppliers and with our colleagues in R&D to keep everyone working out of the same playbook is both a challenge and a huge part of what makes our work so rewarding.

Q: What do you value most about being part of the Long Grove team?

A: I enjoy being part of a great group of people who are passionate about what they do. In my pharmaceutical career, I’ve gone from small to large organizations and back again. Since we are efficient in size here at Long Grove, we can move quickly – all I have to do is walk down the hall and get key people together to make decisions that would take weeks to accomplish elsewhere.

Q: What challenges do you see in the industry, and how is Long Grove part of the solution?

A: The biggest challenge I see is making sure the cost model supports bringing products to market competitively- and on time. The speed with which so many new products are coming to market means a lot to juggle to ensure they are all ready for commercialization. Long Grove has proven that we can be agile and rigorous at the same time.