Head of Central Logistics Centre

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!

Job Details

About the Role

At Alliance Healthcare, a Cencora company, our team members are at the heart of everything we do. We are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures, and every person here plays an essential role in helping us deliver on that purpose.

We are seeking a Head of Central Logistics Centre (CLC) to lead our highly automated warehouse operation, ensuring the safe, efficient and compliant movement of medical, healthcare and beauty products across a 24/7 environment. This is a senior leadership role with significant autonomy and accountability for operational performance, financial control, strategic planning and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will lead the development and optimisation of advanced warehouse systems, including robotics and automation, while building a high-performing, inclusive and safety-focused culture. Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders, including transport, quality, IT, engineering and commercial teams, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of our logistics capability and delivering excellent service to customers.

Location: Birmingham

Working Pattern: Full Time, flexibility required on hours

Benefits: Salary + Car Allowance + Enhanced Pension Scheme + Private Healthcare

Key Responsibilities

- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Central Logistics Centre, ensuring smooth, safe and efficient day-to-day operations.
- Lead the development, implementation and optimisation of automated warehouse systems and robotics to improve productivity, accuracy and service performance.
- Oversee the receipt, storage, picking, returns and recall processes, ensuring products are handled in line with regulatory, quality and company standards.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across warehouse operations, using data, analytics and performance metrics to improve service, cost and productivity.
- Monitor and manage key performance indicators relating to compliance, customer service, fulfilment, inventory accuracy, labour productivity and cost control.
- Lead, coach and develop a multi-skilled operations team, creating a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned to Cencora’s purpose and guiding principles.
- Manage workforce planning, performance reviews, training and development, and employee engagement initiatives across the site.
- Promote diversity, equity and inclusion by fostering an environment where team members feel valued, respected and supported.
- Work closely with IT and engineering teams to troubleshoot automation issues, support system enhancements and improve human-robot interaction.
- Ensure full compliance with GDP, MHRA, Home Office, ICO and other relevant regulatory and quality standards.
- Act as a key site contact for regulatory bodies and support audits, inspections and corrective actions where required.
- Hold responsibility for health and safety leadership across the site, driving a strong culture of safe behaviours, risk management and compliance.
- Support ESG and sustainability goals by introducing initiatives that reduce waste, energy use and environmental impact.
- Manage the operational budget, monitor financial performance and identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including transport partners, suppliers, regulatory contacts and union representatives.
- Lead on resolving operational challenges and customer complaints, ensuring effective communication and timely resolution.
- Contribute to growth planning and wider business strategy by aligning logistics capability with future commercial needs.

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Skills and Experience Required

- Proven experience in warehouse operations management, including 3 to 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Experience in an automated warehouse environment is preferred.
- Pharmaceutical distribution or healthcare supply chain experience is highly desirable.
- Strong leadership capability, with a proven track record of building cohesive, high-performing teams in large, complex and fast-paced operations.
- Demonstrated success in delivering strategic projects, operational improvement programmes and change initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS), transport management systems (TMS) and warehouse automation technologies.
- Excellent analytical skills, with experience using KPIs, operational metrics and data insights to drive performance.
- Strong financial acumen, including budget ownership, cost control and identifying operational efficiencies.
- Sound understanding of pharmaceutical compliance requirements, including GDP, MHRA, Home Office controlled drugs standards and quality assurance expectations.
- Experience managing stakeholder relationships across multiple functions and with external partners, including unions and regulatory bodies.
- Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to lead through change and make sound business-critical decisions.
- Experience with Lean, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies is advantageous.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Teams.
- High attention to detail, excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Comfortable working in a 24/7 operational setting and in varying warehouse temperatures.

Essential Requirements

- Proven experience leading a function within an organisation and building strong, engaged teams.
- Ability to create and maintain customer relationships in a profitable and cost-effective way.
- Willingness and eligibility to hold the controlled drugs licence, subject to an enhanced DBS check.
- Ability to act as the designated responsible person for GDP (training provided).
- Experience working to regulatory and security standards within a controlled environment.
- Strong resilience, adaptability and a practical, solution-focused approach.
- Ability to work under pressure, handle complex challenges and deliver against strategic priorities.

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

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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 [email protected] . We will make accommodation determinations on a request-by-request basis. Messages and emails regarding anything other than accommodations requests will not be returned