As the Director of Automation, you will lead the strategy, design, and implementation of automation solutions across Ro's pharmacy fulfillment, compounding, warehouse, and distribution operations. Reporting to the Vice President of Pharmacy Operations, you will partner closely with Operations, Pharmacy, Supply Chain, Technology, Facilities, Finance, Quality, and external equipment manufacturers to build scalable, efficient, and compliant pharmacy operations. This role is ideal for a strategic leader who thrives on solving complex operational challenges, driving continuous improvement, and delivering innovative automation solutions that support Ro's continued growth.
This position is based in Romeoville, IL and requires approximately 10-15% travel to support other pharmacy locations.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the development and execution of Ro's automation strategy across pharmacy fulfillment, compounding, warehouse, packaging, and shipping operations
- Identify, evaluate, and implement automation technologies that improve safety, quality, throughput, and operational scalability
- Partner with Pharmacy Operations, Supply Chain, Technology, Finance, Facilities, and Quality teams to design future-state workflows and optimize operational performance
- Lead capital automation projects from concept through implementation, including business case development, equipment selection, vendor management, installation, commissioning, and operational readiness
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, facility managers, and contractors to support new pharmacy builds, expansions, and facility renovations
- Establish operational performance metrics and dashboards to monitor productivity, equipment utilization, fulfillment accuracy, inventory performance, and return on investment
- Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste, improve efficiency, and standardize best practices across multiple pharmacy sites
- Ensure automation solutions meet FDA, USP, OSHA, state Board of Pharmacy, and internal quality requirements while supporting a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence
- Develop, document, and maintain SOPs, standardized workflows, and operational best practices for automation systems, ensuring consistent, safe, compliant, and efficient utilization across all pharmacy sites
What You’ll Bring to the Team:
- 8+ years of experience leading automation, industrial engineering, manufacturing, fulfillment, warehouse, or pharmacy operations initiatives
- Demonstrated success managing large-scale automation or capital projects from concept through implementation
- Experience with automated material handling systems, robotics, warehouse automation, packaging equipment, or pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies
- Strong knowledge of operational excellence methodologies, including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, and process optimization
- Experience developing capital budgets, business cases, and ROI analyses for operational investments
- Excellent cross-functional leadership, stakeholder management, and executive communication skills
- Proven ability to influence teams and lead organizational change in fast-paced, high-growth environments
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field
- Experience supporting pharmacy fulfillment, sterile or non-sterile compounding, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or healthcare distribution operations
- Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), ERP platforms, manufacturing execution systems (MES), or industrial automation software
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification
- PMP certification
- Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or Business Administration
Preferred Qualifications:
We’ve Got You Covered:
- Full medical, dental, and vision insurance + OneMedical membership
- Healthcare and Dependent Care FSA
- 401(k) with company match
- Flexible PTO
- Wellbeing stipend
- Paid parental leave + Fertility benefits
- Pet insurance
- Student loan refinancing
- Virtual resources for mindfulness, counseling, and fitness
We welcome qualified candidates of all races, creeds, genders, and sexuality to apply.

