Programme Manager (WMS)

SUMMARY:
Lead the implementation and stabilisation of warehouse management and connected supply chain systems

POSITION INFO:
WMS Programme Manager - Supply chain and distribution systems Role purpose Lead the implementation and stabilisation of warehouse management and connected supply chain systems across a large retail environment. Coordinate business and technology delivery so that distribution centres can support store replenishment and online fulfilment while maintaining inventory accuracy and service continuity. Key responsibilities • Own the integrated programme plan, budget, dependencies and delivery governance across WMS workstreams, distribution sites and external delivery partners. • Coordinate receiving, putaway, replenishment, picking, packing, dispatch and stock control requirements with distribution centre and supply chain leaders. • Manage interfaces with merchandising or ERP systems, transport, online fulfilment and third parties. Establish ownership of data and reconciliation controls. • Govern solution delivery, data cleansing and migration, integration testing, operational acceptance and training with accountable workstream leads. • Lead cutover planning, rehearsals, site readiness and go live coordination. Present evidence and unresolved risks for sponsor decisions. • Direct hypercare and stabilisation, prioritising failures that threaten stock accuracy, throughput, store availability or the customer delivery promise. • Report progress and recovery plans to executive stakeholders and steering committees. Transfer knowledge and controls to operational support teams. | Essential experience and capabilities • At least seven years of retail experience, with a proven record of delivering relevant programmes or major systems implementations. • Direct experience leading WMS implementation in a distribution centre or warehouse environment, including deployment and stabilisation. • Strong supply chain understanding across warehouse operations, inventory control, retail replenishment and systems integration. • Evidence of managing business, technology and vendor teams across interdependent delivery workstreams. • Practical experience with cutover, data migration, test readiness, operational risk, budget control and executive governance. • Ability to resolve delivery problems on site and explain operational consequences clearly to senior stakeholders. Preferred experience and capabilities • Online fulfilment, imports, last mile delivery, control tower or third party logistics integration experience. • Experience taking over a live programme, recovering delivery or applying lessons from earlier rollout waves. • A relevant qualification or programme management certification, supported by comparable delivery evidence. Expected outcomes • An executable programme plan with clear ownership, credible dependencies and visible delivery risks. • Deployment decisions supported by tested processes, reconciled data and operational readiness evidence. • Stable warehouse operations and an agreed handover, with service and inventory performance measured against approved baselines.