At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global Trade Services strategy and ensure operational excellence in a regulated environment.
- Company: Join Cencora, a forward-thinking company dedicated to creating healthier futures.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with international travel opportunities and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare logistics while leading innovative trade solutions.
- Qualifications: 8-10+ years in trade or logistics with strong leadership and financial skills.
The predicted salary is between 110500 - 220990 £ per year.
Our team members are at the heart of everything we do. At Cencora, we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures, and every person here is essential to us being able to deliver on that purpose. If you want to make a difference at the center of health, come join our innovative company and help us improve the lives of people and animals everywhere. Apply today!
Job Details
This role is in support of Cencora's global logistics and storage services marketed through our World Courier business.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Vice President of Services, the Director – Trade Services Solutions is accountable for the strategic direction, profitable growth, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence of World Courier’s Trade Services portfolio. This role provides enterprise level leadership across regions and functions, and in close collaboration with Finance and other Cencora business units, to design, scale, and optimize trade related services that address current and future customer needs while ensuring flawless execution in a highly regulated environment. This position is classified as compliance critical and carries executive responsibility for ensuring continuous compliance with all applicable corporate, divisional, and regulatory requirements. This role is available on a hybrid basis, European or UK location preferred. The successful candidate will require access to a World Courier office location to work on a hybrid basis.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Service Line Ownership
- Owns the global Trade Services strategy, including the evolution and reassessment of offerings such as Importer of Record and other trade‐related value‐added services.
- Sets the long‐term vision and roadmap for Trade Services, translating strategy into clear commercial, operational, and financial objectives.
- Drives profitable growth and operational scalability, ensuring alignment with World Courier and Cencora enterprise priorities.
- Financial & Commercial Accountability
- Partners closely with Finance throughout the service development lifecycle to ensure adherence to financial policies, governance standards, and best‐in‐class performance for Trade Services.
- Accountable for overall financial management of the Trade Services portfolio, including budgets, project accounting, financial planning, expense control, and achievement of agreed targets.
- Works with Pricing to define pricing strategies for Trade Services that balance competitiveness, regulatory considerations, and margin optimization.
- Solution Design & Cross‐Functional Collaboration
- Leads the development of Trade Services solutions, including (but not limited to) importer of record, enhanced liability frameworks, order‐to‐cash models, tax and duty optimization, and future trade‐related service offerings.
- Ensures strong alignment across Operations, Quality, Legal, Tax, Pricing, Sales, and Customer Service to enable compliant and operationally viable Trade Services solutions.
- Establishes and maintains effective governance and decision‐making frameworks for Trade Services development and execution.
- Client & Market Engagement
- Acts as senior sponsor for strategic customer relationships and complex trade‐related opportunities, supporting business development, bid defenses, issue resolution, and deal closure.
- Engages directly with key clients, prospects, and partners at critical stages of the Trade Services commercial lifecycle.
- Maintains a strong external outlook on trade regulations, customs environments, and competitive offerings, ensuring World Courier’s Trade Services differentiation remains current.
- Partnerships & External Relationships
- In collaboration with the VP of Services and Finance leadership, develops and oversees strategic partnerships and suppliers that enhance the Trade Services value proposition.
- Ensures partnerships deliver measurable value, contractual compliance, and appropriate risk management for World Courier and its customers.
- Compliance, Risk & Governance
- Ensures all Trade Services solutions comply with local customs regulations, trade legislation, legal requirements, and Cencora AB Risk & Compliance policies.
- Works with Legal, Tax, and Regulatory Affairs at both World Courier and Enterprise level to identify and manage compliance, financial, and reputational risks related to trade activities.
- Establishes and enforces clear policies, guidelines, and controls to ensure consistent operational trade compliance across regions.
- Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Drives adoption and adherence to Trade Services processes across Operations and Customer Service teams.
- Champions a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring corrective and preventive actions related to trade execution are implemented consistently across the network.
- Oversees regular reporting on Trade Services KPIs, including commercial performance, financial results, operational effectiveness, and compliance metrics.
- People Leadership & Organizational Impact
- Provides leadership and mentorship to direct and indirect teams, promoting development, succession planning, and capability building (where applicable).
- Partners with Human Resources to ensure leadership behaviors and people practices align with company standards and policies.
Additional Requirements
- Acts as a senior escalation point for Trade Services and is available outside normal working hours in exceptional or emergency situations when required.
- Flexibility and availability to travel internationally as business needs require.
Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Proven senior leader with 8–10+ years of relevant experience managing complex, regulated trade, customs, or logistics‐related services.
- Strong understanding of logistics, clinical trial supply chains, 3PL operations, and associated trade and customs frameworks, preferably in healthcare or life sciences.
- Advanced financial acumen to assess trade‐related cost structures, risk, and profitability.
- Deep knowledge of trade compliance principles, governance frameworks, and regulatory environments.
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Logistics, Healthcare, or Business Administration; Master’s degree preferred.
- Strategic thinker with demonstrated success scaling global service lines in regulated environments.
- Strong influencing skills suited to matrixed, multinational organizations.
- Executive‐level communication, presentation, and stakeholder management capability.
- Strong analytical and data‐driven mindset with experience linking trade, operational, and financial performance.
- Ability to represent the company in senior internal and external trade, regulatory, and customer forums.
Desirable
- Experience within pharmaceutical or life sciences trade and customs environments.
- Exposure to importer of record, customs brokerage interfaces, and regulatory trade models. Familiarity with sustainable and compliant trade practices.
What Cencora offers
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.
Salary Range
$110,500 - 220,990. 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/Minnesota/Massachusetts/Illinois State-specific locations may be up to 10% lower than the minimum salary range, and 12% higher than the maximum salary range.
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 or email. We will make accommodation determinations on a request-by-request basis. Messages and emails regarding anything other than accommodations requests will not be returned.
Director - Trade Services in London employer: MWI Animal Health
Cencora is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its team members, offering a comprehensive suite of benefits that support physical, emotional, and financial wellness. With a strong focus on professional development, mentorship opportunities, and a collaborative work culture, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector while enjoying a flexible hybrid working environment in vibrant locations like London. Join us to be part of a purpose-driven organisation dedicated to creating healthier futures for people and animals alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Trade Services in London
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like MWI Animal Health and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at MWI Animal Health!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like MWI Animal Health keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Director - Trade Services in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to MWI Animal Health:This is your chance to really connect with the team at MWI Animal Health. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at MWI Animal Health
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with MWI Animal Health.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show MWI Animal Health that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at MWI Animal Health. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
