Manager, Distribution Centers, Center of Excellence

Walgreens•Deerfield, IL

20d•Onsite

About The Position

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, the role translates CoE strategy and directives into governance, deployment, and adherence processes across the distribution center network. The Manager oversees SOP governance and lifecycle management, coordinates the deployment of approved standards and best practices, develops implementation and adherence measures, and establishes assessments to identify gaps and drive corrective actions. The role leads the DC CoE team and partners with DC Operations and cross-functional subject-matter experts to advance standardization, operational consistency, knowledge transfer, and continuous improvement across the network. The position is based at one of Walgreens’ 15 Regional Distribution Centers in the U.S. or 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; or Carolina, Puerto Rico. Travel to distribution centers may be required as business needs require. The Manager directs a group of employees, assigns and reviews work, provides guidance on complex issues, and oversees hiring, performance reviews, and staff development. The role manages departmental objectives, processes, expenditures, and resources; collaborates with peers and cross-functional teams; and develops procedures and innovative solutions that support departmental goals. The Manager also fosters employee morale, motivation, inclusion, and appropriate staffing and competencies. Walgreens was founded in 1901 and serves nearly 9 million customers and patients daily through approximately 8,500 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The company has approximately 220,000 team members, including nearly 90,000 healthcare service providers, and is committed to building trusted relationships that create healthier futures for customers, patients, team members, and communities. The role will remain open until filled. The posting notes that Walgreens will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Requirements

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 experience.
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 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 governance workflows, decision rights, and operating routines.
Strong analytical skills, including interpreting operational data, identifying trends and gaps, and communicating actionable findings.
Effective collaboration and influence skills with distribution center leaders and cross-functional subject-matter experts.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to travel to distribution centers as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field.
Working knowledge of Lean, continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, or related operational excellence methodologies.

Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day execution and continued development of the DC CoE program.
Translate CoE strategy and directives into governance, deployment, and adherence processes across the distribution center network.
Lead SOP governance and lifecycle management.
Coordinate horizontal deployment of approved standards and best practices across distribution centers.
Develop measures of implementation, adherence, effectiveness, and sustainability.
Establish a structured assessment approach to identify gaps and drive corrective actions.
Lead the DC CoE team and partner with DC Operations and cross-functional subject-matter experts.
Manage day-to-day activities of employees; assign, monitor, and review work; and provide technical guidance on complex issues.
Oversee and initiate hiring, firing, and performance review processes.
Manage the team to meet objectives, improve processes, and improve stakeholder satisfaction.
Collaborate with peers and other departments and, when appropriate, lead cooperative efforts among project team members.
Accept delegated decision-making responsibility and encourage empowered decision-making in others.
Determine how to use resources to meet schedules and goals, and guide employees within established policies.
Develop procedures and objectives focused on innovative solutions to business problems; submit and implement ideas that support departmental goals.
Manage, develop, and control departmental expenditures against the expense budget.
Mentor and develop staff through onboarding, communication, training, development opportunities, and performance management.
Maintain employee morale and motivation, ensure appropriate staffing and competencies, and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Conduct operational assessments, process reviews, audits, or gap analyses and convert findings into corrective-action plans.
Travel to distribution centers as business needs require.