Warehousing & Distribution Operations Lead CEE

Hello. We’re Haleon. A new world-leading consumer health company. Shaped by all who join us. Together, we’re improving everyday health for billions of people. By growing and innovating our global portfolio of category-leading brands – including Sensodyne, Panadol, Advil, Voltaren, Theraflu, Otrivin, and Centrum – through a unique combination of deep human understanding and trusted science. What’s more, we’re achieving it in a company that we’re in control of. In an environment that we’re co-creating. And a culture that’s uniquely ours. Care to join us. It isn’t a question.

With category leading brands such as Sensodyne, Voltaren and Centrum, built on trusted science and human understanding, and combined with our passion, knowledge and expertise, we’re uniquely placed to do this and to grow a strong, successful business.

This is an exciting time to join us and help shape the future. It’s an opportunity to be part of something special.

About the role

The Warehousing & Distribution Operations Lead for the Central & Eastern Europe Business Unit (W&D Operations CEE) is a pivotal role responsible for the end-to-end operations of our cross-country Warehousing & Distribution network across the CEE region. This senior leadership position involves strategic planning, relationship management, and operational excellence to ensure efficient stock availability, Logistics Service Provider (LSP) management, and distribution. The role oversees a team responsible for local and BU-wide W&D operations and LSP management.

This role reports to the Lead of CEE W&D and Export QSC, it holds a critical position in shaping the present and the future of our Warehousing & Distribution operations across the CEE.

Strategic Leadership :

Co-develop and implement the overall Warehousing & Distribution strategy for the entire CEE BU, managing 12 warehouses in 9 markets operated by 9 different logistics providers.

Drive strategic customer collaboration projects in the area of W&D.

Develop a roadmap for implementing strategic W&D network changes related to warehouse locations and logistics service providers.

Lead the continuous improvement agenda, covering E2E W&D processes and system capabilities, with a focus on improving cost efficiencies, inventory write-offs, lead times, and overall service delivery.

Own the W&D budget plan and control across CEE.

Translate Regional/Area Supply Chain and W&D strategy into a local implementation plan.

Organisational Leadership:

Serve as the single point of accountability for end-to-end Warehousing & Distribution Service delivery and Cost.

Foster collaboration with relevant cluster Quality, Safety, and Compliance (QSC) and LOC functions (e.g., customer service, sales) to enhance relationships and satisfaction.

Ensure audit readiness and compliance of W&D operations.

Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers (3PLs) across CEE.

Lead and develop direct reports.

Advise, consult, and coordinate with Cluster QSC Leads, Cluster and Country General Managers, Finance, IT/Tech, and Global Logistics

Operational Performance:

Be accountable for service and all logistics operations for CEE markets.

Ensure compliance of LSPs to Haleon Warehousing & Distribution, Customs & Foreign Trade, and Quality standards.

Manage warehouse and distributor agreements with 3PLs, focusing on Performance and Relationship Management of Market 3PLs to deliver the best service for customers.

Set performance metric objectives and drive rigorous Performance Management.

Establish routine business review sessions focusing on operational warehouse performance.

Drive the W&D budget and lead cost-saving programs alongside Continuous Improvement initiatives.

Drive the implementation of projects across CEE for ongoing improvement.

Implement best practices for warehouse, distribution, and repacking.

Drive down combined primary and secondary distribution as well as warehousing costs.

Be accountable for the W&D team.

Role Responsibilities

Drive the team to own relationships with Logistics Service Providers, ensuring adherence to contractual and operational obligations.

Create CEE W&D governance from program creation to delivery and performance management.

Build strong links to central functions, such as sites, and the global Logistics function.

Contribute to the development of the CEE and cluster QSC Strategy and annual deployment plan.

Drive CEE monthly performance reporting and improvement plan to deliver annual targets.

Govern and drive regular touch points with 3PLs, designing and driving Continuous Improvement Programs with 3PLs and repackers.

Implement markets warehousing consolidation plans, including stock transfers.

Participate in Market Customer logistics collaboration initiatives.

Liaise with Procurement and Legal to monitor Agreements and Contracts with 3PLs.

Provide Budget and synergy targets for W&D, including inbound transportation costs.

Lead Market Business Continuity Planning (Warehouse and distribution) across CEE.

Handle claims with LSPs for transport and warehousing-related claim events.

Own W&D related SOPs and optimization, such as Distribution SOP, Distribution Risk Assessment, Destruction SOP, Stock Count SOP

Basic Qualifications:

University degree in business or engineering (preferred SCM and/or logistics)

Proficiency in English, additional languages an advantage (e.g., Russian, Polish, Czech, or Hungarian)

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in relevant supply chain/logistics roles with at least 3 years on director level.

Experience in Warehousing and Distribution, Commercial Sales/Marketing, Demand Forecasting, Customer Service, third party logistics provider (3PL), manufacturing or CMO management.

Ability to work off own initiative and comfortable with delegated responsibility.

Extensive program management experience at an international level.

Deep understanding of warehouse operations, including processes, IT, and staff.

System experience: WMS.

Proven experience in change management, business, and financial acumen.

Analytical skills and capability to work in a highly complex environment.

Demonstrated ability to work with external stakeholders, customers.

Preferred:

Demonstrated exceptional leadership skills at senior level with strengths proven track record in driving performance, fostering collaboration across boundaries, and developing capability high-performing talent teams.

Demonstrated people skills and ability to create high performing teams across countries of diverse managers and experts

Haleon Leadership Expectations:

Drives growth: takes accountability for delivering results; pragmatically turns data into action; is bold in moving things forward.

Deeply understands our consumers & customers: brings the outside in; is focused on the future; drives curiosity.

Builds one ‘Haleon’: is purpose-driven; breaks down barriers; adapts style for positive impact.

Motivates & unleashes potential: cares and includes; grows others; inspires others.

Lives our Haleon Values: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Location – this role is based in: Poland, Warsaw

Please save a copy of the job description, as this may be helpful to refer to once the advert closes.

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At Haleon we embrace our diverse workforce by creating an inclusive environment that celebrates our unique perspectives, generates curiosity to create unmatched understanding of each other, and promotes fair and equitable outcomes for everyone. We're striving to create a climate where we celebrate our diversity in all forms by treating each other with respect, listening to different viewpoints, supporting our communities, and creating a workplace where your authentic self belongs and thrives. We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

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Haleon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, Haleon may be required to capture and report expenses Haleon incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure Haleon’s compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements.

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