Continuous Improvement Manager

Please note: Interested candidates must be located on the Western Coast of the United States, in either Pacific or Mountain Standard Time.

The Manager works closely with business leaders to develop a strategy and plan for continuous improvement by leveraging methodologies and best practices that drive execution of successful customer-centric strategies across our business. This role is responsible for improving quality and efficiency measured through customer satisfaction and loyalty across all customer segments. This individual is well grounded in the healthcare supply chain environment, is consciously aware of the changes in the industry, has a passion for customer-centricity, the associate experience, and the ability to drive toward Cencora's vision. In addition, demonstrates sufficient experience to be able to plan for and create a culture of excellence in the company.

Continuous Improvement & Execution (50%)

• Utilize Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and process mining tools to streamline workflows, identify inefficiencies, and analyze data for improvement opportunities.
• Understand business needs and objectives to develop practical data analysis and reporting strategies, extracting and transforming raw data into actionable insights.
• Apply industry knowledge to improve performance.
• Manage a portfolio of continuous improvement projects, ensuring they stay on track, meet deadlines, and align with strategic goals.
• Identify process improvement opportunities across departments, oversee planning and execution, and ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure initiatives align with business needs and priorities, maintaining transparent communication on progress, challenges, and results.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, or Total Quality Management methodologies to analyze and improve processes, ensuring operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Design and implement sustainable process improvements, reducing rework and cycle times while enhancing quality.
• Develop and execute countermeasures to address process gaps, verifying the effectiveness of solutions.
• Regularly collect and analyze performance data to measure the impact of initiatives and identify future improvement opportunities.
• Utilize structured, data-driven problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes and implement long-term solutions.
• Develop key project artifacts, including charters, baseline/project metrics, data collection plans, pilot plans, control plans, and training materials.
• Establish performance dashboards and reporting metrics to track the effectiveness of improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate medium-to-large (10+) group meetings and workshops on advanced continuous improvement topics.

Change Management (30%)

• Develop and execute change management strategies to help teams adapt to new processes, technologies, and ways of working.
• Prepare and support individuals and teams through organizational transitions by providing detailed action plans, timelines, resources, and milestones.
• Establish support systems to assist employees before, during, and after changes are implemented.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and successful execution of change initiatives.
• Identify and proactively address resistance to change among employees and stakeholders.
• Act as a change agent, leveraging facilitation skills to guide cultural transformation and foster acceptance.
• Model and promote a positive approach to change, encouraging innovation and adaptability.

Mentoring/Training (20%)

• Serve as a mentor to team members across the organization, including those outside direct reporting lines.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation, encouraging creative problem-solving.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions to enable teams to learn from each other's experiences and insights.
• Lead or participate in cross-functional initiatives, ensuring seamless collaboration between departments.
• Demonstrate strong leadership by fostering unity, shared purpose, and professional development within the team.

Education and Experience:

• Normally requires a minimum of 3 years directly related project management experience.
• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent field of study.
• Certified Black Belt (preferred) or Green Belt (required) with expertise in Lean methodologies.
• Experience in a health care services (supply chain distribution or services) environment preferred.
• Previous experience in major process improvement and change initiatives strongly preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated strong leadership, interpersonal & organization skills and change agent abilities.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated track records in quality and operational improvements, ability to prioritize workload, meet deadlines, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Structures approaches to resolving complex problems. Has good judgment as to most effective approach to use. Initiates needed changes in direction.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office suite such as Project, Excel, Word, Visio, Access and PowerPoint.
• Robust presentation skills; ability to present and discuss strategies and complex information in a manner that establishes rapport, persuades others, and gain understanding.
• Ability to manage duties in a fast paced work environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify key issues and creatively overcome internal challenges or obstacles.
• Influence, negotiate and resolve conflicts to reach consensus and common goals by applying a hands-on style of management and collaborating strongly with peers.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing including the ability to communicate within cross-functional/organizational teams.
• Positive, team-oriented attitude and approach to getting work done.
• Ability to lead dynamically and energize multidiscipline work teams.

We provide compensation, benefits, and resources that enable a highly inclusive culture and support our team members' ability to live with purpose every day. In addition to traditional offerings like medical, dental, and vision care, we also provide a comprehensive suite of benefits that focus on the physical, emotional, financial, and social aspects of wellness. This encompasses 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. To encourage your personal growth, we also offer a variety of training programs, professional development resources, and opportunities to participate in mentorship programs, employee resource groups, volunteer activities, and much more. For details, visit https://www.virtualfairhub.com/cencora

*This Salary Range reflects a National Average for this job. The actual range may vary based on your locale. Ranges in Colorado/California/Washington/New York/Hawaii/Vermont/Illinois State-specific locations may be up to 10% lower than the minimum salary range, and 12% higher than the maximum salary range.

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