Senior Manager, Distribution Engineering & Projects

Description

The role is a Senior Projects Manager for Distribution Engineering (Europe), based in either the United Kingdom or France.

The division is Fisher Scientific, and the role works on engineering, automation and capital investment across the company's European distribution network.

The work covers facility design, capacity planning, process optimisation, warehouse automation and project delivery, working closely with Operations, Finance, IT, Transportation, Safety, Procurement and external suppliers.

Standard schedule, Monday to Friday. Environments are office and warehouse. Travel is about 25% across Europe.

Responsibilities

• Run engineering studies and operational analyses to improve productivity, service, safety and cost across the European distribution network.
• Design facility layouts, capacity plans, process flows and operating models that support business growth.
• Lead major capital projects such as facility expansions, retrofits, automation installs and infrastructure upgrades.
• Prepare business cases, financial analyses, project budgets and return-on-investment justifications.
• Assess and improve warehouse automation, material handling equipment, storage systems, WMS, ERP and RF technologies.
• Drive continuous improvement through workflow reviews, time studies and data-led recommendations.
• Manage suppliers, contractors, consultants and system integrators across project lifecycles, including contract negotiation and performance.
• Lead and develop engineering staff, giving guidance, coaching and support to raise performance and capability.
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders from operational teams up to senior leadership, keeping projects aligned and transparent.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and shape decisions across the organisation.
• Make sure work meets safety, regulatory and company standards.
• Work with cross-functional stakeholders to support network strategy and operational excellence.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or an equivalent technical qualification and experience.
• At least 5 years' experience in industrial, distribution, logistics or supply chain engineering.
• Experience leading teams and large cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage at every organisational level.
• A proven record delivering capital projects, facility design initiatives and operational improvement programmes.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills, especially with suppliers, contractors or in project settings.
• Knowledge of safety, risk management and applicable European regulations.
• Willingness to travel across Europe.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, plus Microsoft Project, Visio and AutoCAD.
• Working knowledge of WMS, ERP and warehouse automation systems.
• Preferred: experience supporting multi-site distribution or logistics networks.
• Preferred: knowledge of warehouse automation, material handling systems and distribution centre operations.
• Preferred: experience with dangerous goods storage and handling requirements.
• Preferred: Lean Six Sigma or another continuous improvement certification.
• Preferred: SQL knowledge and experience working with operational data.
• Advantageous: additional European languages, particularly French, German or Spanish.

Conditions

Standard working hours, Monday to Friday.

Based in the United Kingdom or France, with office and warehouse environments.

Travel of approximately 25% across Europe.

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits

• Work on a global team where your output supports scientific progress and better lives.
• Lead high-impact projects, use new technologies and help shape the future of Fisher Scientific's European distribution network.