Implementation Manager

Cencora, Inc.; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Cencora, Inc. is seeking an experienced Implementation Manager to lead a major automation implementation programme within our distribution operations.

This fixed-term role focuses on delivering installation, go-live, and ramp-up to full utilisation, interfacing with operations, IT, finance and external teams. The role requires strong project and change management skills, excellent stakeholder engagement, and a track record of delivering complex transformations in logistics or regulated

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, operations or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years in project management, change management, process improvement or related field.
• Experience leading complex implementation or transformation programmes, ideally automation or major operational changes.
• Strong integrated planning, coordinating across multiple workstreams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills across levels.

Responsibilities

• Deliver end-to-end implementation leadership across all programme phases (install, go-live, ramp-up).
• Develop and maintain integrated implementation plan covering scope, timelines, budgets, and resourcing.
• Act as operational interface with the automation supplier, managing risks and issues.

Skills

Implementation leadership

Project management

Change management

Cross-functional coordination

Stakeholder management

Analytical/problem solving

Microsoft Office

Planview / MS Project

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration/engineering/operations

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Planview

Microsoft Project

Job description

Our team members are at the heart of everything we do. At Cencora, we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures, and every person here is essential to us being able to deliver on that purpose. If you want to make a difference at the center of health, come join our innovative company and help us improve the lives of people and animals everywhere.

Job Details

About the Role
Alloga is seeking an experienced Implementation Manager to lead the operational delivery of a major automation implementation programme within our distribution operations. This is a high-profile, fixed-term appointment providing dedicated project leadership through installation, commissioning, go-live and a structured ramp-up to full operational utilisation.

This role sits at the heart of a significant business transformation, acting as the critical conduit between the project team and operational business, ensuring a seamless transition from a manual to a fully automated operation. If you are an experienced implementation professional who thrives in complex, high-stakes environments, this is an exceptional opportunity to lead a landmark programme from the front.

What You Will Be Doing

• Delivering end-to-end implementation leadership across all phases of the programme, from installation and operational preparation through go-live and the subsequent ramp-up to full utilisation
• Developing and maintaining an integrated implementation plan covering scope, timelines, budgets and resourcing, coordinating across operations, IT, finance and external supplier teams to maintain delivery accountability
• Serving as the principal operational interface with the automation supplier, maintaining clear accountability for actions, dependencies, risks and issue resolution throughout the programme
• Establishing fit-for-purpose UAT, cutover, start-up and stabilisation plans, with defined entry and exit criteria, to ensure the operation is ready for go-live
• Developing and delivering a comprehensive operational readiness plan covering processes, people, systems, facilities, safety and contingency arrangements ahead of go-live
• Identifying and managing risks, issues and change impacts, driving mitigation actions and escalating where necessary to protect programme outcomes
• Building awareness and understanding of the new operating model across the business, including the behavioural and process changes required to embed it successfully
• Ensuring role-based training is designed, delivered and validated before go-live, with knowledge transferred effectively into the permanent organisation
• Monitoring operational performance after go-live and driving the ramp-up to 100% utilisation, ensuring that operational benefits are realised and sustained
• Establishing clear performance metrics and reporting to track progress, benefits realisation and stakeholder alignment across workstreams

Candidate Requirements
Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, operations or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 6 or more years of experience in project management, change management, process improvement or a related field
• Demonstrable experience leading complex implementation or transformation programmes, ideally involving automation, new technology or major operational change
• Strong integrated planning skills, with the ability to coordinate cross-functional and external contributors across multiple workstreams
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to engage at all levels of the business
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project planning tools such as Planview or Microsoft Project
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in business administration, engineering, operations or a related field
• Professional certification in PMP, Agile (CSM or SAFe), Lean, Six Sigma, CAPM or equivalent
• Prior experience in a regulated, logistics, distribution or similarly operational environment
• Direct experience managing automation implementation or large-scale technology deployment programmes

What Cencora offers

Benefit offerings outside the US may vary by country and will be aligned to local market practice. The eligibility and effective date may differ for some benefits and for team members covered under collective bargaining agreements.

Full time

Affiliated Companies

Affiliated Companies: Alliance Healthcare Management Services Limited

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cencora is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or membership in any other class protected by federal, state or local law.

The company’s continued success depends on the full and effective utilization of qualified individuals. Therefore, harassment is prohibited and all matters related to recruiting, training, compensation, benefits, promotions and transfers comply with equal opportunity principles and are non-discriminatory.

Cencora is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the employment process which are consistent with legal requirements. If you wish to request an accommodation while seeking employment, please call 888.692.2272 or email [e-mail]. We will make accommodation determinations on a request-by-request basis. Messages and emails regarding anything other than accommodations requests will not be returned