Warehouse Operations Manager- Cell and Gene Therapy

Cencora • Brooks, KY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This role manages specialized operational activities supporting Cell and Gene Therapy Solutions within an assigned Distribution Center. Responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing highly specialized operations associated with the handling, storage, preparation, and movement of cell and gene therapy products in a complex and highly controlled environment. This position is categorized as compliance critical and, as such, requires and is assigned specific responsibility for ensuring continual and proper compliance with all division, corporate, client, and regulatory requirements. Promotes and leads with Cencora’s purpose and guiding principles and develop a culture of inclusion, equity, and diversity in the Distribution Center. Enables and focus on talent development and succession planning in the DC and network wide. Directs activities associated with the successful execution of cell and gene therapy operational processes in the Distribution Center; ensures safe, compliant, accurate, and efficient handling of highly specialized and high-value therapies with a strong focus on quality, product integrity, and service excellence. Leads and collaborates across teams to prioritize projects and initiatives, operate with a sense of urgency, proactively solve problems, and drive continuous improvement and standardization. Serves as a key operational subject matter expert for Cell and Gene Therapy Solutions and supports internal and external stakeholders on program requirements, operational workflows, and service expectations. Acts as a client-facing operational partner, communicating regularly with customers and clients to provide updates, resolve issues, manage expectations, and ensure a high level of service and responsiveness. Partners closely with Sales and cross-functional teams to support client needs, drive operational readiness, and ensure successful execution of cell and gene therapy program requirements. Responsible for managing specialized product handling and workflow processes while ensuring adherence to product-specific requirements, chain of identity/chain of custody expectations, temperature-controlled handling standards, and other critical quality and compliance measures necessary to maintain product integrity. Manages the operational clock with efficient use of labor and hours worked. Supports compliance with all appropriate policies, procedures, safety rules, PPE requirements, security standards, and applicable regulatory requirements; maintains and coordinates all areas of security. Monitors performance and productivity measures in the facility and is a change agent for the purpose of maximizing service quality, reducing risk, improving efficiency, and supporting operational excellence. Acts as a backup for leadership team as necessary. Reviews and monitors standard operating procedures; makes observations and recommends improvements to promote customer experience, efficiency, accuracy, improved service, and lower costs. Monitors the performance of staff members to ensure compliance with policies, practices, client requirements, and approved standard operating procedures. Supervises associate relations functions including hiring, terminating, performance management, development, and training of warehouse associates. Ensures that Distribution Center equipment and specialized handling environments are maintained and in proper working order. Must be willing to work extended hours, split shifts, and some weekends as needed to meet productivity goals and support time-sensitive client and patient-related requirements. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with Distribution Center associates, clients, customers, and internal business partners. Performs related duties as assigned. Must be relocatable to meet needs of the business. Periodic travel may be required based on business need.

Requirements

• Requires broad training in fields such as business administration, supply chain, logistics, life sciences, operations management, or similar vocations generally obtained through completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree program or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Normally requires a minimum of two (2) years directly related and progressively responsible experience.
• Must be relocatable to meet needs of the business.
• Working knowledge of warehouse operations, specialized handling procedures, and quality-focused processes in a regulated environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including frequent interaction with clients, customers, and cross-functional internal partners.
• Strong client relationship and customer service skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize client expectations while balancing operational requirements, compliance obligations, and service commitments.
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and manage time-sensitive activities with urgency and accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Good analytical and mathematical skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Good decision-making skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills; ability to resolve issues effectively and efficiently.
• Knowledge of computers to operate effectively with Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• Comfort working in highly specialized operational environments that may require enhanced personal protective equipment, strict handling procedures, and work in smaller or controlled spaces.
• Strong understanding of the importance of product integrity, compliance, accuracy, and discretion when handling specialized, high-value therapies.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting highly regulated, temperature-controlled, specialty pharmaceutical, biologics, healthcare logistics, or other specialized operational environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Planning, coordinating, and managing highly specialized operations associated with the handling, storage, preparation, and movement of cell and gene therapy products.
• Ensuring continual and proper compliance with all division, corporate, client, and regulatory requirements.
• Promoting and leading with Cencora’s purpose and guiding principles and developing a culture of inclusion, equity, and diversity.
• Enabling and focusing on talent development and succession planning.
• Directing activities associated with the successful execution of cell and gene therapy operational processes.
• Ensuring safe, compliant, accurate, and efficient handling of highly specialized and high-value therapies.
• Leading and collaborating across teams to prioritize projects and initiatives, operate with a sense of urgency, proactively solve problems, and drive continuous improvement and standardization.
• Serving as a key operational subject matter expert for Cell and Gene Therapy Solutions.
• Supporting internal and external stakeholders on program requirements, operational workflows, and service expectations.
• Acting as a client-facing operational partner, communicating regularly with customers and clients to provide updates, resolve issues, manage expectations, and ensure a high level of service and responsiveness.
• Partnering closely with Sales and cross-functional teams to support client needs, drive operational readiness, and ensure successful execution of cell and gene therapy program requirements.
• Managing specialized product handling and workflow processes while ensuring adherence to product-specific requirements, chain of identity/chain of custody expectations, temperature-controlled handling standards, and other critical quality and compliance measures.
• Managing the operational clock with efficient use of labor and hours worked.
• Supporting compliance with all appropriate policies, procedures, safety rules, PPE requirements, security standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintaining and coordinating all areas of security.
• Monitoring performance and productivity measures in the facility and acting as a change agent for the purpose of maximizing service quality, reducing risk, improving efficiency, and supporting operational excellence.
• Acting as a backup for leadership team as necessary.
• Reviewing and monitoring standard operating procedures; making observations and recommending improvements.
• Monitoring the performance of staff members to ensure compliance with policies, practices, client requirements, and approved standard operating procedures.
• Supervising associate relations functions including hiring, terminating, performance management, development, and training of warehouse associates.
• Ensuring that Distribution Center equipment and specialized handling environments are maintained and in proper working order.
• Working extended hours, split shifts, and some weekends as needed.
• Establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with Distribution Center associates, clients, customers, and internal business partners.
• Performing related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision care
• Comprehensive suite of benefits that focus on the physical, emotional, financial, and social aspects of wellness
• Support for working families, which may include backup dependent care, adoption assistance, infertility coverage, family building support, behavioral health solutions, paid parental leave, and paid caregiver leave
• Variety of training programs, professional development resources, and opportunities to participate in mentorship programs, employee resource groups, volunteer activities, and much more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager