VP, Pharmacy Operations, Clinical Excellence & Transformation

Shoppers Drug Mart•Toronto, ON

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At Shoppers Drug Mart, we’re innovating health and wellness in Canada. From prescriptions to walk-in clinics, and a beloved loyalty program, we’re caring and supporting our customers in new ways every day. With more than 1,300 locally owned and operated stores from coast to coast, the Shoppers Drug Mart network is more than a great place to shop, it’s a great place to work. We’re committed to building our talented team who champion collaboration, kindness and inclusivity. Join our team, and help recognize a healthy future for your career and for all Canadians. Position Summary Reporting directly to the SVP, Pharmacy Operations & Transformation, the Vice President, Pharmacy Operations, Clinical Excellence & Transformation is responsible for leading enterprise pharmacy operations, clinical excellence, patient safety, workflow optimization, systems modernization, and operational transformation across Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw Pharmacy. The incumbent is accountable for shaping the future pharmacy operating model by advancing innovative care delivery, optimizing operational performance, and leveraging technology, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes, colleague experience, productivity, and business performance. This role oversees Pharmacy Operations, Incident Management, Clinical Excellence, Pharmacy Workflow Design & Optimization, and Pharmacist Professional Development. The Vice President serves as the enterprise leader responsible for ensuring pharmacy operations are scalable, efficient, clinically excellent, and positioned to meet the evolving needs of patients, healthcare providers, regulators, and the business. Working closely with Pharmacy Systems, Technology, Health & Wellness, Professional Affairs, Government Relations, Finance, Real Estate, Legal, Compliance, Privacy, National Operations and other enterprise partners, the incumbent drives strategic initiatives that support sustainable growth, operational excellence, innovation, and patient safety across the pharmacy network.

Requirements

Demonstrated success leading large-scale operations, transformation, and business performance initiatives within complex, multi-site organizations.
Proven ability to develop and execute enterprise strategies that deliver measurable operational, clinical, financial, and customer outcomes.
Experience leading technology-enabled transformation, workflow redesign, systems implementation, automation, analytics, or AI-driven initiatives.
Deep understanding of retail pharmacy operations, pharmacy workflow, healthcare delivery, and patient safety principles.
Strong knowledge of Canadian healthcare systems, pharmacy regulation, government programs, third-party payors, and professional practice standards.
Proven ability to lead through significant organizational change and influence outcomes within highly matrixed environments.
Exceptional leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and executive influencing skills.
Strong business acumen with experience managing large budgets, complex investments, and P&L accountability.
Demonstrated ability to leverage data, analytics, and performance insights to inform strategic decisions and drive continuous improvement.
Experience building high-performing teams and developing future leaders.
Ability to navigate ambiguity, balance competing priorities, and make sound decisions in complex environments.
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BScPhm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) an asset but not required.
MBA or equivalent advanced business education considered a strong asset.
Minimum 10–15 years of progressive leadership experience in pharmacy operations, healthcare operations, retail pharmacy, or a related field.
Experience leading enterprise-scale transformation, operational excellence, technology modernization, or clinical quality initiatives preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BScPhm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
MBA or equivalent advanced business education
Experience leading enterprise-scale transformation, operational excellence, technology modernization, or clinical quality initiatives

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the pharmacy operations technology and transformation roadmap in partnership with Pharmacy Systems, Technology, Data & Analytics teams.
Identify and implement opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning, predictive analytics, and digital tools to improve patient care, operational efficiency, decision-making, and workforce productivity.
Champion innovative technologies that simplify pharmacy workflows, reduce administrative burden, and enhance both colleague and patient experiences.
Lead the assessment, prioritization, and implementation of systems enhancements and large-scale technology initiatives impacting pharmacy operations.
Establish governance, performance measures, and benefit realization frameworks to ensure successful adoption and measurable value from technology investments.
Monitor emerging healthcare technologies and industry trends to position the organization as a leader in pharmacy innovation.
Lead enterprise pharmacy operations across Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw Pharmacy, ensuring safe, efficient, and scalable execution of pharmacy services.
Establish and execute operational strategies that drive revenue growth, improve productivity, manage costs, and enhance profitability while maintaining a patient-first approach.
Oversee pharmacy workflow design, labour planning, labour standards, operating models, and workforce optimization strategies.
Lead the modernization of Pharmacy Care Clinics, dispensaries, and pharmacy operating environments to support evolving patient care needs.
Ensure operational readiness and successful implementation of enterprise initiatives impacting pharmacy operations.
Act as the senior operational liaison with National Operations, Associate-Owners and Peers.
Establish and advance enterprise standards for clinical quality, patient safety, professional practice, and pharmacy care delivery.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and accountability through robust incident reporting, root cause analysis, and knowledge sharing.
Lead enterprise incident management processes to identify systemic opportunities, mitigate risk, and improve patient outcomes.
Partner with Professional Affairs and Pharmacy Leadership teams to prepare the organization for evolving scopes of practice and future healthcare delivery models.
Ensure compliance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, privacy obligations, and company policies across all pharmacy operations.
Establish enterprise performance measurement frameworks and leverage analytics to identify trends, optimize operations, improve labour deployment, and drive financial performance.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on workflow optimization, operational effectiveness, patient safety, and service quality.
Monitor operational, clinical, and financial performance metrics and implement corrective actions where required.
Drive the adoption of data-driven decision-making practices across pharmacy operations.
Ensure best practices are identified, scaled, and consistently implemented across the pharmacy network.
Translate enterprise strategy into actionable operational plans and measurable outcomes.
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, regulatory bodies, vendors, and healthcare organizations.
Represent pharmacy operations in enterprise strategic planning and transformation initiatives.
Provide operational leadership and subject matter expertise on major business initiatives, ensuring solutions are practical, scalable, and store-ready.
Monitor competitive, regulatory, and healthcare industry developments and recommend strategies that strengthen market position and business performance.
Partner across functions to support the growth of pharmacy services, healthcare offerings, and future business opportunities.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing and inclusive leadership team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Build organizational capabilities required to support future pharmacy practice, technology adoption, and evolving business needs.
Oversee pharmacist professional development priorities and programs across the enterprise.
Create succession plans and leadership development strategies to ensure a strong pipeline of future talent.