At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in project management for a healthier future.
- Company: Join Cencora, a forward-thinking company dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse benefits, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to work across multiple countries.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in health logistics while leading transformative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in PMO leadership and project management required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ 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.
This role is in support of Cencora's third party logistics service in Europe operating through our Alloga business.
Position Summary and Key Responsibilities
- Permanent above-market role establishing and leading the portfolio, resource and program governance function for Cencora 3PL across all critical programs and strategic initiatives.
- The role is responsible for portfolio intake, prioritisation and sequencing across transformation, tactical and growth initiatives; resource visibility and conflict management across business, IT and SME capacity; governance standards, reporting frameworks and SteerCo-level materials; and full transparency on priorities, resource demand, program status, financials and portfolio health across all initiatives of critical scale.
- The Director builds and leads a central project management capability — attracting, developing and aligning project managers across the organisation to a consistent, standardised delivery methodology.
- This includes defining and embedding repeatable standard operating procedures, communication routines and quality standards that ensure delivery predictability across a complex, multi-country portfolio.
- The role holder is expected to be hands-on where needed — stepping into direct project leadership on priority initiatives, not solely operating at portfolio oversight level.
- The role owns the selection, implementation and embedding of PPM tooling required to make portfolio visibility and resource governance operational rather than manual.
- The Director will actively seek alignment with existing Cencora Group standards, tooling and methodology — ensuring that the 3PL approach is complementary to, and where possible consistent with, group-wide practices rather than a standalone solution.
- The Director operates as a senior business partner to C-suite and SVP-level stakeholders — representing portfolio status, priorities and recommendations in leadership forums with the authority and credibility to drive decisions, not just report them.
Experience
- Proven track record building and leading PMO or PPM functions at scale in complex, multi-country environments.
- Demonstrated hands‑on project management experience — the role requires direct delivery leadership on priority initiatives, not only portfolio‑level oversight.
- Experience managing a portfolio of concurrent programs across business and IT, including resource conflict resolution and prioritisation governance.
- Demonstrated capability in building and leading a central PM community — including methodology standardisation, onboarding and coaching of project managers across markets and functions.
- Hands‑on experience selecting, implementing and embedding PPM tooling (e.g. Smartsheet, Planview, ServiceNow PPM, Microsoft Project Online or equivalent).
- Strong command of program financials, capex/opex tracking, forecasting and benefit realisation frameworks.
- Experience in pharma, healthcare, logistics or comparable regulated, multi‑market industries strongly preferred.
Capabilities
- Ability to operate as a senior business partner to C‑suite and SVP‑level stakeholders — not a back‑office reporting function.
- Ability to lead and deliver projects directly as well as through others — combining hands‑on PM rigour with portfolio‑level governance.
- Ability to identify process and tooling gaps and implement improvements that increase delivery predictability and reduce manual overhead.
- Ability to define and monitor lifecycle reporting across program phases: milestones, risks, issues, dependencies and performance indicators.
- Ability to operate effectively in dynamic, high‑pressure, multi‑priority environments without sacrificing output quality or governance standards.
- Strong written and verbal communication — able to produce SteerCo and ELT‑ready materials to consulting‑level standards.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, operations or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
- PMP or equivalent certification preferred.
- Agile (SAFe, CSM) or Lean / Six Sigma advantageous.
- 8+ years of experience in program management, PMO leadership or portfolio governance in complex organisations.
Languages
- Fluent English required; additional European language(s) advantageous given cross‑regional scope.
What Cencora offers
Benefit offerings outside the US may vary by country and will be aligned to local market practice. The eligibility and effective date may differ for some benefits and for team members covered under collective bargaining agreements.
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.
PPM & PMO Director employer: MWI Buying Group
Cencora is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development within a dynamic work culture. Located in Birmingham, our Central Logistics Centre offers a collaborative environment where you can lead teams and drive performance while ensuring safety and compliance in healthcare distribution. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on delivering exceptional service levels, we provide meaningful opportunities for career advancement and personal fulfilment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PPM & PMO Director
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like PPM & PMO Director at MWI Buying Group!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like MWI Buying Group or be willing to refer you for that PPM & PMO Director position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from MWI Buying Group who’s on the lookout for their next PPM & PMO Director star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time PPM & PMO Director role at MWI Buying Group!
We think you need these skills to ace PPM & PMO Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at MWI Buying Group. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at MWI Buying Group
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at MWI Buying Group. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!