Continuous Improvement and Engineering Manager

Role Overview

This role leads continuous improvement and engineering across the Central Logistics Centre (CLC), Birmingham as a priority and the other regional sites, by designing, implementing and sustaining automation and engineering solutions that are safe, compliant and efficient. You will deliver the change programme, partner with senior stakeholders to implement the end-state solution, and support the People Agenda through talent acquisition, onboarding, induction and training. Strong written and verbal communication is essential.

Job Scale:

This leadership role governs the engineering and automation roadmap for the CLC, balancing technical depth with strategic delivery. Accountable for multi-disciplinary engineering teams and vendor partners, the role drives measurable improvements in service performance, cost efficiency and safety, and ensures standardisation of engineering practices across the site.

Principal Accountabilities:

Engineering & Continuous Improvement Leadership

· Own the site engineering and automation strategy and roadmap aligned to business goals and the end-state solution.

· Design, develop, install, test and commission new automated systems and upgrades (e.g. PLC/SCADA/robotics).

· Embed standard work, Lean/Six Sigma and problem-solving methods to remove waste and improve flow, quality and safety.

· Manage vendor relationships, ensuring robust SLAs, service quality and handover-to-operations disciplines.

· Establish and maintain auditable engineering documentation (URS/FS/DS, SOPs, change controls, drawings).

Change Programme Delivery

· Plan and deliver change projects from design through commissioning and stabilisation; define scope, timeline, budget and risk controls.

· Work with senior stakeholders to implement the end-state solution and realise targeted benefits (service, cost, quality, safety).

· Build credible business cases and stage-gate governance; track KPIs, escalate issues early and course-correct decisively.

· Ensure effective business resilience plans are in place, tested and continuously improved.

People Leadership

· Lead, coach and develop engineering teams; set clear accountabilities and high standards.

· Support recruitment, onboarding, induction and ongoing training; build a strong pipeline through succession planning and PDPs.

· Model Active Learning—promote a growth mindset, encourages learning, and ensure knowledge is applied to improve performance.

· Demonstrate Active Leading—empower teams to act, partner proactively with customers, and innovate to build Cencora’s future.

· Conduct performance reviews, give timely feedback, and recognise strong contributions.

· Foster an inclusive, safe and supportive environment that celebrates individuality and acts together.

Health, Safety & ESG

· Champion Target Zero safety culture; design and maintain safe processes, procedures and behaviours.

· Partner with H&S to conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments; close actions on time.

· Ensure safe systems of work at height, lockout/tagout (LOTO), contractor control and permit-to-work are rigorously applied.

· Support delivery of environmental strategy—innovations in energy use, equipment efficiency and responsible waste management.

Compliance with Operating Standards

· Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and standards (e.g. MHRA GDP, H&S, electrical/mechanical regulations).

· Maintain validated systems and data integrity (e.g. 21 CFR Part 11, GAMP 5 where applicable).

· Own engineering policies, SOPs and training matrices; ensure audit readiness and timely closure of findings.

KPIs & Performance

· Define, monitor and improve engineering KPIs (asset uptime, MTBF/MTTR, safety, quality, cost, energy).

· Use data to identify root causes and implement sustainable countermeasures; publish clear performance reports.

· Ensure headcount and skills mix meet service and productivity needs; plan resource to major projects and peak periods.

Financial Accountability

· Develop and manage engineering budgets, control cost through preventative maintenance, spares optimisation and vendor performance.

· Build investment proposals (CAPEX/OPEX) with robust ROI; manage purchase orders and invoicing controls.

Stakeholder Engagement

· This includes contributing to projects and sustainability programmes that align with the company’s future goals and requirements

· Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders (Operations, HR, Quality, IT/IS) and external partners (vendors, auditors).

· Unite around our customers, ensure engineering solutions improve service, reliability and experience.

· Communicate openly, tell the truth fast, and influence decisions with clear, evidence-based recommendations.

· Flexible thinking, face into difficult conversations with confidence, making decisions efficiently and handling change to ensure everything we do is right for all stakeholders

Communication Channels

· Establish effective communication rhythms: daily huddles, weekly ops reviews, project stage-gates and vendor forums.

· Share lessons learned and standards across teams to drive consistency and speed up problem solving.

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Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

· Experience leading engineering and automation in a fast-moving logistics/manufacturing environment.

· Deep knowledge of warehouse automation and controls (PLC, SCADA, robotics); able to interpret electrical/mechanical designs.

· Understanding of regulatory compliance and quality standards in pharmaceutical distribution (MHRA GDP).

· Demonstrates the ability to develop and communicate a clear vision for the future and proven experience of driving significant change projects.

· Experience with Lean or Six Sigma methodologies and structured problem solving.

Essential Requirements:

· Proven leadership of a function or complex portfolio; able to build cohesive, high-performing teams.

· Track record of delivering multiple/complex change initiatives aligned to strategic plans.

· Excellent communication (written and verbal), with strong influencing and consultative skills.

· High attention to detail; calm under pressure; adaptable to new challenges.

· Work well under pressure and ‘can do’ attitude.

· Having the composure and ability to adapt to stressful situations

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; capable of complex negotiations with vendors

· Ability to work in a warehouse environment, including standing, walking for extended periods and working at height.

· Ability to lift and move materials as needed.

· Comfortable working in varying temperatures within the warehouse environment.

· Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and warehouse software with the ability to navigate between multiple systems seamlessly.

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 hrsc@cencora.com. We will make accommodation determinations on a request-by-request basis. Messages and emails regarding anything other than accommodations requests will not be returned