Operations Team Manager

Cencora, Inc.; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical logistics company in Birmingham is seeking an Operations Team Manager to oversee daily warehouse operations. The successful candidate will manage a multi-skilled team, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and drive efficiency using automated systems. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential. This role offers a dynamic environment and the opportunity to influence best practices in a cutting-edge facility.

Benefits

Opportunity to shape new operations

Work with advanced automated systems

Dynamic work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry is highly preferred.
• Comfortable working in varying temperatures within the warehouse environment.
• Ability to lift and move materials as needed.

Responsibilities

• Run daily operations of the warehouse in compliance with budgetary targets.
• Lead, motivate, and supervise multi-skilled operations team.
• Monitor warehouse performance metrics and implement improvements.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Ability to work under pressure

Knowledge of regulatory compliance

Proficiency in M365 systems

Tools

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Automated technologies

Job description

Our team members are at the heart of everything we do. At Alliance Healthcare, a Cencora company, 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. The Operations Team Manager (OTM) for the Central Logistics Centre (CLC) is responsible for running the daily operations of the warehouse. This role involves working with automated systems, effective and efficient control of both the Goods Inwards and Outbound operations within a shift environment, in line with budgetary targets and within corporate guidelines.

Operational Leadership

• Take departmental responsibility within the daily operation, ensuring the smooth and efficient processing of inbound, picking, and outbound goods.
• Ensure accuracy in all goods handling to maintain high levels of inventory accuracy.
• Promote and enforce a safe working environment, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Engage in continuous improvement initiatives within the warehouse environment.
• Address and resolve any operational issues or challenges that may occur.
• Work cross‑functionally with logistics, inventory management, and other departments to ensure seamless operations and resolve issues quickly.

People Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and supervise to support the development of a multi‑skilled operations team and foster a positive and safe work culture.
• Onboard and train new team members while providing development opportunities to enhance skills and improve performance.
• Support the Operations team members with direction, development, coaching, and guidance in line with our Guiding Principles, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and scheduling.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide timely feedback to team members.
• Champion the DE&I agenda, embracing an open dialogue and collaboration as part of the site's culture, empowering everyone to share their unique perspectives.
• Be a role model by demonstrating the Guiding Principles in everyday actions and continuously working towards the Cencora Purpose.

KPI

• Monitor warehouse performance metrics, maintain accurate records, and report on performance, identifying areas for improvement.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement best practices within the function.
• Support in ensuring the CLC has the correct headcount to maintain both service and productivity measures in operations, including but not limited to LPH, missing parcels, costs, and on‑time in full.

Compliance

• Maintain high standards of quality and accuracy in all warehouse operations, ensuring that pharmaceutical products are handled and stored correctly.
• Maintain compliance with standard operating procedures.
• Implement and oversee quality control procedures to ensure the integrity of products.

Inventory Management

• Take corrective action to keep product damages, customer order shortages, and pick errors within agreed levels.
• Support the Shift Manager with maintaining all inventory management procedures related to Goods In and Outbound processes in line with company guidelines.
• Stay updated with the latest technologies in warehouse automation.

Budget & Staff Management

• Support the Operations Shift Manager in managing the warehouse budget.
• Identify and implement cost‑saving initiatives.
• Work with management to identify and implement improvements in warehouse operations, driving efficiency and reducing operational costs.
• Plan and manage shift schedules, ensuring adequate coverage at all times to meet operational needs.
• Monitor productivity performance and agreed KPIs with the Shift Manager and ensure targets are met or exceeded.

Health and Safety and ESG

• Champion and lead the health and safety culture which ensures safe processes, procedures, and behaviours and continuous improvement through best practice activities.
• Enforce Health & Safety regulations, conduct safety audits, and ensure all team members are trained on proper safety procedures and protocols and are aware of their responsibilities.
• Ensure a culture of being safe, legal, and compliant. Some UK travel required, with overnight stays and attendance at meetings or conventions outside of normal business hours, including some evenings and weekends.

Training & Compliance

All staff are expected to understand the principles of Good Distribution Practice of Medicinal Products for Human Use (2013/C 343/01), reflected in our SOP – REF Chapter 1 AHDL GDP 1.1. It will be a requirement for all staff to be trained in this SOP and have a periodic refresher. All other GDP training will be job specific and as per your personal training matrix. All people leader roles within the Central Logistics Centre will need to be "on call" for emergency orders and participate in a weekend working rota. An agreed element of flexibility may be required.

Cencora Offers

• Be one of the first to join a brand‑new operation where you'll play a key role in shaping and establishing best practice ways of working from the ground up.
• Manage and oversee a highly automated warehouse, using advanced systems and equipment to drive efficiency and innovation.
• Work at one of the most automated pharmaceutical sites in the world.
• Be integral to the business's success by ensuring smooth operations and delivering exceptional customer service through proactive problem‑solving and system optimization.
• Thrive in a dynamic environment with the ability to take ownership of challenges and take initiative.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry is highly preferred.
• Proven leadership, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Previous experience/knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS) and automated technologies.
• Ability to multi‑task, have a strong sense of ownership and responsibility and ability to work under pressure.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively across multiple functional departments.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and quality standards in pharmaceutical distribution.

Essential Requirements

• Ability to work in a warehouse environment, including standing and walking for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move materials as needed.
• Comfortable working in varying temperatures within the warehouse environment.
• Proficiency in using M365 systems.

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 centre of health, come join our innovative company and help us improve the lives of people and animals everywhere. Apply today!