Senior Operations Support Shift Manager - Multiple Warehouse Functions

Alliance Healthcare; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Training & development

Career progression

Supportive environment

Exposure to automation

Wellbeing programmes

Team-based incentives

Job summary

Cencora's Central Logistics Centre in Birmingham is seeking an experienced Operations Support Shift Manager to supervise warehouse operations, drive performance, ensure safety and compliance, and translate strategic priorities into day-to-day excellence.

You will work closely with Shift Managers and senior stakeholders, cover for absences, lead continuous improvement, and deliver exceptional service levels in a fast-paced, automated environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in warehouse operations leadership.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Experience monitoring KPIs, productivity and service performance.
• Knowledge of WMS and automated warehouse technologies.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in regulated environments and compliance standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Support warehouse operations across inbound, automation, replenishment, picking, and outbound.
• Act as escalation point for operational issues.
• Coordinate labour planning and resource allocation.
• Monitor performance and implement improvement initiatives.
• Provide leadership cover for Shift Managers.
• Lead continuous improvement projects and change programmes.
• Champion health, safety, quality and compliance.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders to support operations.

Skills

Leadership

WMS

KPIs

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Excel / reporting

Tools

Knapp WMS

Manhattan WMS

Automation tech

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

Ready to step into a role where leadership drives real impact?

This role is in support of Cencora's wholesale distribution services in Europe operating through our Alliance Healthcare business.

Department: Warehouse Operations Management

Location: Central Logistics Centre - Birmingham

Job Purpose

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Operations Support Shift Manager to play a key role in the successful operation of our Central Logistics Centre. Supporting warehouse operations across multiple functions, you will work closely with Operations Shift Managers and senior stakeholders to drive performance, ensure compliance, optimise resources, and deliver exceptional service levels. Acting as an extension of the Operations Lead, you will help translate strategic priorities into operational excellence while fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Principal Accountabilities

• Support warehouse operations across inbound, automation, replenishment, picking, and outbound functions to ensure safe and efficient service delivery.
• Act as a key escalation point for operational issues, ensuring timely resolution and minimal disruption to operations.
• Coordinate labour planning, resource allocation, and operational priorities to achieve service and productivity targets.
• Monitor operational performance and KPIs, implementing improvement initiatives to drive efficiency and service excellence.
• Provide leadership support and cover for Shift Managers during periods of absence, increased demand, or operational change.
• Lead and support continuous improvement projects, process standardisation, and operational change programmes.
• Champion health and safety, quality, and compliance standards across all operational activities.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to support operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction.

Skills And Knowledge

• Proven experience in a warehouse operations, logistics, or distribution leadership role.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience monitoring and improving operational KPIs, productivity, and service performance.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS) and automated warehouse technologies.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to issue resolution.
• Experience working within regulated operational environments and adhering to compliance standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and operational reporting tools.

Desirable

• Experience within the pharmaceutical, healthcare, or highly regulated logistics sector.
• Knowledge of GDP, MHRA, or equivalent regulatory frameworks.
• Experience supporting or deputising for senior operational leaders.
• Familiarity with Knapp and Manhattan warehouse management systems.
• Experience within a 24/7 automated warehouse environment.
• Knowledge of inventory management and stock control processes.
• Experience leading continuous improvement and operational change initiatives.
• Understanding of ESG frameworks and operational compliance requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work within a leading healthcare and pharmaceutical distribution organisation.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Career progression within a growing and innovative business.
• Exposure to advanced warehouse automation and logistics technology.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunity to lead impactful operational improvement initiatives.
• Employee wellbeing and support 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