Lean Programme Manager

United Drug; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

In-store discounts

Pension support

Annual bonus

Employee assistance programme

Belonging at Work

Job summary

PHX Ireland is seeking a Lean Programme Manager to lead and report on assigned programmes in our warehouse and distribution operations. You will drive targeted efficiency gains, cost reductions, and the rollout of project management practices, including training colleagues in lean tools.

With 3–5 years of experience in large programmes (retail/pharmacy preferred) and formal PM qualifications, you will influence milestones, manage risks, and champion continuous improvement across the organization.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years experience leading large scale transformational programmes or 5+ years leading significantly sized projects.
• Programmes or projects must have resulted in significant efficiency and productivity gains with cost reductions.
• Lean six sigma trained or certified at black belt level.
• Experience with Kaizen events and Value Stream Analyses (VSAs).
• Retail/pharmacy retail chain experience.
• Formal programme / project management qualification (e.g. Prince2 / PMP) or equivalent.
• Formal change management qualification (PROSCI) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads the design and planning of assigned programmes and projects, identifying workstreams, resources, milestones and dependencies.
• Collaborates with owners to influence milestone completion.
• Generates and interprets data on progress; develops and presents progress reports; lead Governance & KPI strategy.
• Ensures stakeholder needs are addressed and communicates status clearly.
• Forecasts risks and mitigates to minimize failure.
• Incorporates evolving business needs into programme design in a timely manner.
• Trains and mentors colleagues in lean, programme and project tools and best practices.
• Provides input into programme/project selection based on ROI to the business.
• Maintains engagement with activities and outcomes by acting as a lean ambassador.
• Networks internally and externally to share learning and adopt best practices.

Skills

Programme leadership

Stakeholder management

Data interpretation

Kaizen

Value stream analysis

Retail experience

Education

Prince2 / PMP certification

Job description

Our people make the difference. Here at PHX Ireland, we strive to be a place for everyone - where each and every one of us can be our true, authentic selves, every single day.

For us, individuality sparks new ideas, shapes new approaches and brings us powerful new perspectives. It's the heartbeat of our innovation, creativity, and success. Which is why, at PHX Ireland, we don't just embrace our differences - we celebrate them.

Across United Drug, McCabes Pharmacy, and TCP Homecare, in every location and every role, the way we work makes us who we are - and that's something we are really proud of. Which is why we've summed up our ethos in our six PHX Ireland values; Customer focused, Quality driven, collaborative, ambitious, innovative, and inclusive.

Overview / Purpose Of The Role

The Lean Programme Manager is responsible for setting up, leading and reporting on assigned programmes and projects in our warehouse and distribution / supply chain / logistics operations. These are primarily projects and programmes delivering targeted efficiency and productivity gains translating into cost reduction outcomes. The Programme Manager will also be involved in the roll-out of a programme / project management methodology including the training and upskilling of others in the use of tools and best practises. This is a key influential role responsible for driving a culture of continuous improvement and delivering step change improvement in operations.

Why You'll Love Working With Us:

• Family comes first: Life Stage Policies including maternity and paternity pay
• Perks you'll actually use: Generous in store discounts
• Pension Support: We contribute to your future
• We reward performance: annual bonus
• We've got your back: employee assistance programme and wellbeing initiatives
• Belonging at Work: Inclusive, welcoming team culture where you're valued for you.

What you'll be doing:

• Leads the design and planning of assigned programmes and projects identifying workstream / project structures, resource needs, key milestones and dependencies.
• Collaborates with workstream /project owners to influence the completion of key milestones.
• Generates and interprets data on progress. Develops and presents progress reports to key stakeholders. Lead Governance & KPI Strategy
• Ensures stakeholder needs are addressed. Clearly communicates the status of such.
• Foresees programme and project risks, takes charge to eliminate or minimize failure.
• Ensures evolving business needs are evaluated and incorporated into the programme design in a correct and timely manner.
• Trains and mentor colleagues in the use of lean, programme and project tools and best practises.
• Provides input into programme and project selection based on the return on investment to the business.
• Ensures continued engagement with programme and project activities and outcomes by acting as a lean ambassador.
• Network both internally and externally to exchange learning's and ensure best practices are adopted throughout the operations.

What you need to succeed:

• 3 - 5 years experience leading large scale transformational programmes of work consisting of multiple workstreams / projects or 5 + years of experience leading significantly sized projects essential.
• Programmes or projects must have resulted in significant efficiency and productivity gains with corresponding cost reduction outcomes essential.
• Lean six sigma trained, Lean Expert Training or certified at black belt level essential.
• Extensive hands on experience at Kaizen events and Value Stream Analyses (VSAs) preferred.
• Above experience gained in a retail chain essential. Pharmacy retail chain preferred.
• A formal programme / project management qualification e.g. Prince, PMP or significant experience in the use of a similar method essential.
• A formal change management qualification e.g. PROSCI or equivalent preferred.

About United Drug

United Drug is Ireland's largest pharmaceutical distribution company and was originally founded by a group of pharmacists in Ballina, Mayo in 1948. In 2022 United Drug became part of the PHOENIX group and is now part of Europe's leading healthcare provider in the sector. Employing more than 650 staff across operations in Dublin, Limerick and Mayo, we partner with more than 1,900 pharmacies, hospitals, clinics and primary care centres across Ireland. The business spans across three business units; United Drug Wholesale, United Drug Distribution and United Drug Consumer - all leaders in their category.

About PHX Ireland & PHOENIX Group

As Irelands leading fully integrated healthcare provider, we are proud of our mission - We deliver health.

PHX Ireland Group employs over 1,800 talented and experienced people, all passionate about supporting their customers and patients and striving to enhance the quality of life for millions of patients every single day.

We operate 5 distribution centres, pharmacies nationwide, deliver over 85 million packs to Irish pharmacies and hospitals, and serve over 500,000 patients each year.

By working collaboratively together to provide these solutions, PHX Ireland can enable a sustainable healthcare system and support Irish Healthcare needs.

PHX Ireland is part of the PHOENIX group. Having access to Europe's leading healthcare provider helps us grow and evolve, by adopting best practice, and sharing insights, processes, and expertise we can continuously improve our offering and drive Irish Healthcare forward.

We strive to foster an open and inclusive environment, embracing applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Our commitment lies in ensuring an accessible interview process for all candidates. If you require additional support or accommodations to attend an interview, we kindly encourage you to reach out to [e-mail]