Director, Distribution Network Simulation

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Pennsylvania.

📋 Description

• Create a three- to five-year strategy for developing and expanding the Simulation capability at Cencora.

• Determine the integration points for simulation within capacity planning, facility design, automation assessment, business cases, operational enhancements, and the business planning cycle.

• Develop the global operational framework, service offerings, intake standards, engagement strategies, and decision-making authority for simulation.

• Act as the subject matter expert for simulation during executive, portfolio, and investment conversations.

• Spot opportunities to transform temporary models into reusable decision-support tools.

• Formulate simulation strategies that range from quick decision-support models to large-scale digital representations.

• Oversee the simulation project portfolio across various regions and business units.

• Convert business challenges into detailed simulation use cases, objectives, decision queries, scenarios, success metrics, and implementation specifications.

• Rank initiatives according to business value, urgency, strategic alignment, feasibility, data preparedness, decision timing, and available capacity.

• Manage demand, resources, external assistance, project sequencing, risks, and interdependencies.

• Set global benchmarks for model architecture, development, verification, validation, documentation, review, reuse, and lifecycle management.

• Conduct scenario analyses related to throughput, capacity, labor, service, inventory flow, process design, layouts, automation, bottlenecks, resilience, and cost to serve.

• Lead simulation-driven stress testing of facilities, networks, and operational processes.

• Assess operational and financial trade-offs and create business cases for operational and technology investments.

• Deliver recommendations, assumptions, risks, and sensitivities to both executive and operational stakeholders.

• Define the target-state simulation platform and the accompanying technology architecture.

• Advocate for scalable, cloud-enabled, reusable model components, data pipelines, scenario libraries, and interactive decision applications.

• Collaborate with Data and IT teams to ensure reliable access to operational data.

• Make sure recommendations are turned into actionable requirements for Operations, Engineering, IT, Technology, and Continuous Improvement.

• Assist with operational pilots and technology evaluations where simulation can minimize investment risk.

• Recruit, mentor, coach, and develop simulation managers, engineers, modelers, and analysts.

• Set competency standards, development plans, technical career paths, and succession plans.

• Enhance simulation literacy across operational and cross-functional teams.

• Create a community of practice and a training curriculum.

• Manage strategic partnerships with simulation vendors, consultants, universities, engineering partners, and technology providers.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, logistics, operations management, business administration, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience is required.

• A Master’s degree in supply chain, operations, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience is preferred.

• Over 10 years of experience in supply chain planning, operations, logistics, field operations, customer support operations, or a related field is required.

• At least 5 years of experience in a management role is required.

• Certification as a Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM), or an equivalent certification is preferred.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification is preferred.

• Extensive knowledge of supply chain planning and operations, including demand planning, inventory planning and optimization, supply planning, forecasting, distribution network support, and continuity planning.

• Strong strategic and analytical skills to assess network options, interpret complex operational data, model trade-offs, and convert findings into actionable business recommendations.

• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management abilities to align cross-functional teams, influence senior decision-makers, and manage external partners in complex operating environments.

• Comprehensive understanding of regulatory-compliant process design, operational controls, and compliance-oriented execution across distribution, import/export, and service-critical supply chain functions.

• Strong judgment, financial insight, and change leadership skills to balance service, quality, cost, risk, and scalability across multiple initiatives and business requirements.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision care.

• Backup dependent care.

• Adoption assistance.

• Infertility coverage.

• Family building support.

• Behavioral health solutions.

• Paid parental leave.

• Paid caregiver leave.

• Training programs.

• Professional development resources.

• Mentorship programs.

• Employee resource groups.

• Volunteer activities.