Senior Technical Program Manager

Job Description:

Job title: Senior Technical Programme Manager (Warehouse & Logistics Transformation)

Location:

Flexible - Midlands or London
Likely base: Midlands (due to team and programme presence)
Travel: Regular travel to Midlands‑based distribution centres for project delivery

Contract: 6 months

Role Purpose (retail)

A large, complex organisation is delivering a multi‑year warehouse and logistics transformation programme to modernise and future‑proof its supply chain operations. Technology is a critical enabler of this transformation, particularly across warehouse automation, warehouse control systems, and large‑scale logistics initiatives.

As a Senior Technical Programme Manager, you will act as the technology delivery lead for major warehouse and logistics programmes. You will provide strategic oversight and hands‑on leadership across complex, multi‑party initiatives, working closely with Engineering, Product, Operations, and third‑party technology suppliers to deliver robust, scalable solutions.

This role requires a senior programme leader with deep experience in warehouse and logistics environments, capable of managing technical complexity, supplier dependencies, and operational risk while maintaining a strong focus on delivery outcomes.

What You'll Do

Programme Leadership & Delivery

• Lead large‑scale warehouse and logistics technology programmes, including automation initiatives
• Own the end‑to‑end programme lifecycle: planning, governance, delivery, cutover, and transition to BAU
• Provide clear oversight of milestones, dependencies, risks, and delivery outcomes
• Ensure programmes align with wider supply chain transformation objectives

Technology & Automation

• Lead programmes involving warehouse automation and warehouse control systems (WCS)
• Coordinate delivery across internal engineering teams and external technology partners
• Support evaluation of new technology and data tooling, from proof‑of‑concept through to implementation
• Ensure solutions are operationally ready, scalable, and supportable

Stakeholder & Supplier Management

• Build strong, trust‑based relationships with stakeholders across Logistics, Technology, and Operations
• Manage and challenge third‑party technology providers and systems integrators
• Lead impact assessments and challenge scope, estimates, and delivery approaches using experience and data

Financial, Risk & Governance

• Own programme budgets, cost tracking, and financial forecasting
• Develop and manage business cases, benefits realisation, and investment justification
• Identify, manage, and mitigate programme risks and issues

Leadership & Ways of Working

• Provide mentoring and leadership to programme team members
• Champion a service‑first, data‑led approach to delivery
• Promote continuous improvement across people, process, and technology
• Act as a role model for inclusive, collaborative leadership

Who You Are

You are a senior technical programme manager with strong experience delivering complex initiatives in warehouse and logistics environments. You are comfortable working with ambiguity, managing multiple stakeholders, and leading delivery across internal teams and external suppliers.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Significant experience delivering warehouse and logistics technology programmes
• Strong background in technical programme management across Agile and hybrid delivery models
• Experience with warehouse automation and warehouse control systems (highly desirable)
• Proven ability to manage third‑party technology providers and engineering teams
• Strong understanding of operational logistics environments
• Ability to manage complex dependencies across multiple teams and functions
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Strong problem‑solving mindset with a focus on practical, sustainable solutions

Personal Attributes

• Delivery‑focused and outcomes‑driven
• Comfortable operating with limited onboarding
• Pragmatic, organised, and confident challenging the status quo
• Passionate about improving existing systems and processes
• Able to understand and use operational data, metrics, and performance measures