Director, Technology Innovation – COE

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

📋 Description

• Design, implement, and consistently enhance a multi-stage gate framework for assessing, piloting, and scaling innovations in supply chain technology.

• Establish criteria, scoring rubrics, and decision checkpoints for innovation gates.

• Lead cross-functional gate review committees and guide go/no-go decisions involving executive stakeholders.

• Maintain an innovation pipeline dashboard that tracks both active and archived technology candidates.

• Identify emerging technologies in the supply chain, including AI/ML, robotics, IoT, digital twins, blockchain, and autonomous systems.

• Build relationships with technology vendors, startup ecosystems, and industry research organizations.

• Conduct technology assessments that encompass market analysis, vendor due diligence, and total cost of ownership modeling.

• Represent Cencora at industry forums, innovation councils, conferences, and vendor interactions.

• Collaborate with Supply Chain operations, IT, Finance, Legal, and Compliance to evaluate technology candidates.

• Establish and oversee a Technology Innovation Advisory Board.

• Create executive-ready business cases and investment proposals.

• Align innovation initiatives with the strategic roadmap of the supply chain.

• Manage the budget and resource allocation for the innovation portfolio.

• Set KPIs and assess benefits such as cost savings, productivity improvements, and service enhancements.

• Report results to senior leadership.

• Perform post-implementation reviews and refine the vetting framework.

• Lead and engage a cross-functional network of stakeholders and subject matter experts.

• Design and facilitate working sessions, workshops, and forums.

• Foster structured experimentation and stakeholder engagement around emerging technology concepts.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, Information Systems, or a related discipline.

• Over 10 years of experience in supply chain operations, strategy, or technology.

• 3 to 5 years in a leadership position.

• Proven experience in designing or managing a stage gate, innovation pipeline, or technology governance process.

• In-depth understanding of supply chain operations, including distribution, logistics, procurement, or inventory management.

• Demonstrated capability to create executive-level presentations and facilitate decision-making forums for senior leadership.

• Experience managing cross-functional programs from concept through to implementation.

• A Master's degree (MBA, MS in Supply Chain, or related) is preferred.

• Experience in pharmaceutical distribution, healthcare supply chain, or highly regulated sectors is preferred.

• Familiarity with Stage-Gate®, Lean Startup, or Design Thinking methodologies is preferred.

• PMP, Agile, or relevant certifications are preferred.

• Experience with or evaluation of enterprise technology vendors (ERP, WMS, TMS, AI platforms) is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Backup dependent care services.

• Adoption support.

• Coverage for infertility treatments.

• Assistance with family building.

• Behavioral health solutions.

• Paid parental leave.

• Paid caregiver leave.

• Access to training programs.

• Resources for professional development.

• Mentorship opportunities.

• Employee resource groups.

• Opportunities for volunteer activities.