Stock Control Manager

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

Job summary

A leading logistics firm in Birmingham is seeking a Stock Control Manager responsible for ensuring stock integrity, leading an inventory team, and overseeing compliance with operational standards. The ideal candidate should have proven experience in warehouse operations, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of inventory management. This role offers the opportunity to shape best practices in a highly automated warehouse environment.

Benefits

Work at an automated pharmaceutical site

Opportunities for training and development

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Experience in warehouse operations and team management.
• Familiarity with inventory management systems and tools.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical distribution.

Responsibilities

• Ensure stock integrity and compliance with procedures.
• Lead and mentor a multi-skilled inventory team.
• Address and resolve operational issues during shifts.
• Champion health and safety culture within the team.
• Monitor KPIs and implement process improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Inventory Management

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

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 Stock Control Manager will ensure the highest standards of stock integrity and storage conditions at our Central Logistics Centre (CLC). The Stock Control Manager will oversee inventory management, ensure compliance with standard operating procedures, and lead a team to achieve specific KPIs. This role is essential for maintaining efficient and accurate stock control operations.

Responsibilities

• Stock Integrity and Inventory Management
  • Ensure stock integrity is maintained at the highest standard from an accuracy and storage condition perspective and ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures.
  • Ensure that inventory labour costs and specific overheads fall within targeted costs through the implementation of robust control mechanisms.
  • Ensure all inventory‑related tasks are performed satisfactorily and within required time windows.
  • Audit and investigate count overrides and stock discrepancies, escalating to the CLC manager any potential stock loss above an agreed threshold.
  • Ensure the reconciliation of all paperwork regarding goods inwards deliveries, supplier invoices, supplier credit claims, and uplifts.
• People Leadership
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a multi‑skilled inventory team.
  • Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, encouraging teamwork and continuous improvement.
  • Provide coaching, direction and guidance in line with our Guiding Principles including hiring, training, performance evaluations and scheduling.
  • Support teams to achieve business participation levels in employment engagement surveys.
  • Manage performance and activities of team members through annual reviews, regular one‑to‑ones and timely feedback.
  • Champion and lead DE&I, encouraging an open dialogue and collaboration as part of the site culture.
  • Be a role model by demonstrating the Guiding Principles in everyday work.
  • Develop a plan that includes recruitment, onboarding and training within compliance constraints.
• Issue Resolution
  • Address and resolve operational issues or challenges that arise during the shift.
  • Coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure timely resolution of equipment malfunctions.
  • Communicate effectively with shift leaders and management.
  • Investigate customer service issues, provide feedback and implement remedial actions.
  • Ensure timely and accurate fulfilment of customer orders.
  • Take corrective action to keep product damages, shortages and pick errors within agreed levels.
  • Work closely with management colleagues to drive efficiencies across the CLC.
• Training and Development
  • Provide training and development opportunities for team members and succession planning where applicable.
  • Ensure all team members are proficient in operating automated systems and equipment.
  • Collaborate with Learning and Development centre of excellence to implement training programs for new hires and ongoing skill development.
• Health and Safety and ESG
  • Champion a health and safety culture that ensures safe processes, procedures and behaviours.
  • Promote a culture of safety and ensure adherence to legal and compliance standards.
  • Ensure the department meets all Health & Safety requirements and that Direct Reports are aware of responsibilities.
• Compliance and KPI Achievement
  • Ensure compliance with SOPs and contractual requirements through KPI achievement.
  • Organise company or mandatory supplier stock takes.
  • Organise regular qualitative and quantitative audits and report findings inline with GDP.
  • Ensure that product batch recalls are dealt with promptly.
  • Monitor productivity performance and agreed KPIs with the CLC Manager.
  • Ensure all security systems including CCTV and access control are maintained to the correct standard.
• Operational Efficiency
  • Monitor KPIs and operational metrics to drive performance against service, compliance, productivity and cost.
  • Identify opportunities for process improvements, implement best practices and readjust plans for continuous improvement.
  • Maintain all inventory management procedures in line with company guidelines.
  • Take corrective action to keep product damages, customer order shortages and pick errors within agreed levels.

Benefits

• 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 optimisation.
• Thrive in a dynamic environment with the ability to take ownership of challenges and take initiative.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in warehouse operations and team management.
• Familiarity with inventory management systems and tools.
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of managing managers as direct reports.
• Problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Attention to detail and a focus on safety and accuracy.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced and demanding environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and warehouse software.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and quality standards in pharmaceutical distribution.
• Proven track record in managing audit trails and carrying out appropriate security procedures to ensure compliance according to the GDP guidelines.

Essential Requirements

• Experience in warehouse management or a similar role, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong knowledge of inventory management, warehouse management systems (WMS) and automated technologies.
• Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis and performance metrics.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team (including managers/leaders) in a fast‑paced environment.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and quality standards in pharmaceutical distribution.

Additional Information

Some UK travel required, with overnight stays and attendance at meetings or conventions outside of normal business hours, including some evenings and weekends. Full driving licence required. All people leader roles within the Central Logistics Centre will need to be “on call” for emergency orders. All people leader roles within the Central Logistics Centre may be required to participate in a weekend working rota. An agreed element of flexibility may be required. All staff are expected to understand the principles of Good Distribution Practice of Medicinal Products for Human Use (2013/C 343/01) which is 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.

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. Apply today!