Basel Metropolitan Area
You have applied to roles you could do in your sleep. You have watched less qualified people get hired. Recruiters who used to chase you now go quiet after the first call. And the advice you keep hearing, add more keywords, tweak your CV, be patient, changes nothing. Here is what I have learned after 30+ years in pharma and supply chain, including 16 years in leadership at Novartis: senior professionals in this position are almost never underqualified. They are underpositioned. The market cannot see what you are worth, because your story is not being told in a way that lands with the people who decide. That is the problem we solve. WHOM I WORK WITH Senior professionals from Novartis, Roche, J&J, Bayer, DHL, and similar organisations. People with strong track records who need a strategic edge, not another generic CV template. WHAT WE DO TOGETHER ☑ Position your professional story with precision, so the right people immediately understand your value ☑ Rebuild your LinkedIn profile and content so opportunities start coming to you ☑ Prepare you for interviews and executive-level conversations ☑ Sharpen your negotiation, so you leave nothing on the table ☑ Bring clarity to complex career decisions WHY IT WORKS For 16 years, I sat on the other side of the table. I hired, I built teams, I decided who moved forward. I do not guess what hiring managers want. I know, because I was one. THE RESULTS ☑ 500+ professionals placed, with a 95%+ success rate ☑ 229 five-star reviews, making us Switzerland's best reviewed career consultancy in this field ☑ 25,000+ LinkedIn followers and 8,100+ newsletter subscribers RECOMMENDATIONS "After 15 rejections, I was hired by a global pharma company on my first attempt after working with Václav." "Thanks to his guidance, I gained not only more clarity and confidence but also tangible results: new connections and job offers" "I have experienced firsthand Vaclav´s genuine commitment to understanding individual goals and crafting personalised strategies for success. BEYOND THE WORK I also serve as Honorary Consul of Czechia in Basel, a role that connects my long professional life, bridging Czech and Swiss networks. Outside work, I am a passionate ice hockey goaltender (started at 46), a hiker, and a visitor to art exhibitions. So, one honest question: how much longer are you willing to stay invisible to the roles you have already earned? If the answer is "not much longer," let us talk. Book a conversation at www.sulista.ch or write to [email protected].
Switzerland's most reviewed career consultancy for senior pharma and supply chain professionals. I founded Sulista Consulting after 16 years in leadership at Novartis and more than 30 years working inside the industries I now serve. The firm is co-run with my daughter and is based in Reinach BL, near Basel. I work 1:1 with professionals who are experienced but stuck: navigating restructuring, repeated rejections despite strong CVs, leadership transitions, or high-stakes career decisions they cannot afford to get wrong. What I deliver: ☑ Strategic career positioning and professional narrative development ☑ LinkedIn profile and content strategy to drive inbound opportunities ☑ Interview preparation and executive communication coaching ☑ Negotiation strategy and salary optimisation ☑ Outplacement support for corporates in pharma and supply chain Results: ☑ 500+ professionals placed, with a 95%+ success rate ☑ 229 five-star reviews on Google and Trustpilot ☑ 25,000 LinkedIn followers | 8,100 newsletter subscribers Clients come from Novartis, Roche, J&J, Bayer, DHL, and other top-tier organisations across the Basel pharma corridor and internationally. Get in touch: [email protected] | www.sulista.ch
Appointed by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs to represent and support Czech nationals and Czech-Swiss interests in the Basel region. This role reflects over 35 years of engagement between Czech and Swiss professional and civic circles, including advocacy for the official adoption of 'Czechia' as the short-form country name, a campaign I have championed since 2011 that has since been registered at the UN (2016) and adopted by major platforms including Google and LinkedIn. The position has deepened my executive and diplomatic network across Switzerland, Czechia, and the broader European business community.
Led Strategic End-to-End Planning for Novartis Brands – 1.2 Billion CHF Portfolio While at Novartis, I had the privilege of steering the complete planning cycle for several high-profile brands, overseeing a 1.2 billion CHF sales portfolio. This role went beyond traditional supply chain management – it was about aligning strategic goals with operational precision, balancing forecast complexities, and keeping our products flowing seamlessly to patients worldwide. I partnered closely with cross-functional teams to refine our approach and developed scalable solutions that ensured timely deliveries in fast-changing markets. It was a dynamic and demanding mission that deepened my expertise in supply chain strategy and brand planning on a global scale.
Lead SAP Solution Implementation for Clinical Trial Supply Chain – Delivered On Time & Within Budget In this pivotal project, I led the implementation of an SAP solution to manage the storage and distribution of clinical trial supplies, a critical backbone of trial success. Despite last-minute adjustments and a lean budget, we completed the project on time and within financial targets, maintaining our focus on quality and precision at every phase. Collaborating with stakeholders across departments, we tackled the challenges head-on, adapting swiftly to changes while optimizing processes to enhance supply chain efficiency. This experience sharpened my project management skills and underscored the importance of resilience and agility in delivering impactful results.
Managed Team of 55 Across Packaging, Warehousing & Logistics – Led LEAN Transformation with 8M CHF Budget In this role, I led a diverse team of 55 professionals across packaging, warehousing, logistics, and data management, all within an 8 million CHF budget. My primary mission was to drive a transformative shift toward a LEAN, process-oriented organization. Working closely with each department, we streamlined workflows, eliminated inefficiencies, and built a culture centred on continuous improvement. This reorganization optimised resource allocation and empowered the team to operate with greater agility and focus—creating a foundation for sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Quality and Compliance Lead | SOP Development & Audit Management | Board of Directors Member In this role, I developed, trained, and enforced robust internal SOPs to fully comply with GMP standards, overseeing internal and external audits. I managed a team 25 across production, labelling, and warehouse operations, fostering a culture of precision and accountability. As a board member, I contributed to strategic decisions, including finding a strategic partner, recruitment, employee qualifications, annual target setting, and performance monitoring. This position allowed me to shape quality and operational excellence at both hands-on and strategic levels, balancing compliance with efficient, team-driven processes.
Established Quality Control Lab & QA System | Developed Advanced Analytical Methods I was challenged to establish a quality control laboratory and a comprehensive QA system from the ground up. This involved developing and implementing chemical analysis methods, including GC, HPLC, UV-VIS, IR, and DC, and creating dissolution tests to ensure product integrity and compliance. Leading a small, skilled team of two direct reports, I focused on fostering technical excellence and precision in every process. This role combined strategic setup and hands-on innovation to build a robust quality foundation for the organization.