Manager, Distribution Centers, Center of Excellence

Walgreens; Deerfield (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Walgreens is seeking a Manager, Distribution Centers, Center of Excellence to lead day-to-day execution and ongoing development of the DC CoE program. You will translate CoE strategy into governance, deployment, and adherence processes across the distribution center network.

You will oversee SOP governance, coordinate standardization across sites, measure implementation and adherence, and drive continuous improvement with DC Operations and cross-functional experts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience in supply chain or business operations.
• At least 1 year of direct or cross-functional leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day activities of a group of employees and oversees hiring, firing, and performance reviews.
• Guides teams to meet objectives, improve processes, and enhance stakeholder satisfaction.
• Collaborates with peers and cross-functional groups to drive governance and standardization.
• Applies advanced knowledge to complex problems and decision-making across sites.
• Develops procedures and governance workflows to support scalable operations.
• Leads initiatives for innovative solutions and drives continuous improvement across the network.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Summary

The Manager, Distribution Centers, Center of Excellence (DC CoE) leads the day-to-day execution and continued development of the DC CoE program. Reporting to the Director, WLM & DC CoE, this role translates CoE strategy and directives into disciplined governance, deployment, and adherence processes across the distribution center network. The Manager leads SOP governance and lifecycle management, coordinates horizontal deployment of approved standards and best practices, develops measures of implementation and adherence, and establishes a structured assessment approach to identify gaps and drive corrective actions. The role leads the DC CoE team and works in close partnership with DC Operations and cross-functional subject‑matter experts to improve standardization, operational consistency, knowledge transfer, and continuous improvement across the network.

Location

This role will office out of any one of our 15 Regional Distribution Centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico: Hartford, CT / Easton, PA / Linden, NJ / Perrysburg, OH / Anderson, SC / Pendergrass, GA / Jupiter, FL / Valparaiso, IN / Bolingbrook, IL / Mount Vernon, IL / Windsor, WI / Waxahachie, TX / Woodland, CA / Moreno Valley, CA / Carolina, Puerto Rico

Job Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day activities of a group of employees. Assigns, monitors and reviews progress and accuracy of work, direct efforts and provide technical guidance on more complex issues. Oversees and initiates the hiring, firing, and performance review processes.
• Provides management to the team to meet objectives, improve processes and improve stakeholder's satisfaction. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve results may add to costs and may impact the short-term goals of the department/company.
• Interacts and works collaboratively with peers within and outside of the department, normally involving matters within the department, with other departments or across the company. May lead a cooperative effort among members of a project team.
• Managers and works on issues of a diverse scope, where analysis of the situation or data requires evaluation of a variety of factors, including an understanding of current business trends. Provides advanced expertise and knowledge in complex area of specialization.
• Accepts responsibility for delegated decision-making and reinforces and influences others to demonstrate the same support for empowered decision-making. Receives assignments in the form of objectives and determines how to use resources to meet schedules and goals.
• Provides guidance to departmental employees working within the latitude of established policies. Develops procedures that affect the area under management.
• Outlines specific objectives and processes that are focused on generating innovative solutions to business problems.
• Develops and submits ideas which support the achievement of innovative goals. Implements innovative processes or changes that support the goals of the function or department.
• Manages, develops and controls departmental expenditures against the expense budget.
• Develops and mentors staff through on-boarding, open communication, training and development opportunities and performance management processes; builds and maintains employee morale and motivation; ensures the team is appropriately staffed with required competencies; fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace.

About Walgreens

Founded in 1901, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) proudly serves nearly 9 million customers and patients each day across its approximately 8,500 stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Walgreens has approximately 220,000 team members, including nearly 90,000 healthcare service providers, and is committed to being the first choice for pharmacy, retail and health services, building trusted relationships that create healthier futures for customers, patients, team members and communities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and at least 2 years of experience in a supply chain or business role OR a High School Diploma/GED and at least 5 years of experience in a supply chain or business role.
• At least 1 year of direct leadership, indirect leadership and/or cross-functional team leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Progressive experience in distribution center operations, operational excellence, process engineering, continuous improvement, quality, or a related supply chain function.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, governing, or auditing SOPs and standardized operating processes in a multi-site environment.
• Experience coordinating horizontal deployment of operating standards, best practices, process changes, or continuous improvement initiatives across multiple locations.
• Ability to develop practical measures of SOP implementation, adherence, effectiveness, and sustainability.
• Experience conducting operational assessments, process reviews, audits, or gap analyses and converting findings into corrective-action plans.
• Demonstrated ability to lead analysts or project teams, establish priorities, manage deliverables, and sustain follow-through.
• Strong process-management and documentation skills, including the ability to create clear governance workflows, decision rights, and operating routines.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data, identify trends and gaps, and communicate actionable findings.
• Effective collaboration and influence skills with distribution center leaders and cross-functional subject-matter experts.
• Working knowledge of Lean, continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, or related operational excellence methodologies preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to travel to distribution centers as business needs require.

We will consider employment of qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

The Salary below is being provided to promote pay transparency and equal employment opportunities at Walgreens. The actual hourly salary within this range that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors. This role will remain open until filled.

Salary Range: $100000 - $175000 / Salaried