Programme Manager (WMS)

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.