Group Programme Director en Culina Group

Following several years of accelerated growth Culina Group is now a £2.2 billion turnover business, employing over 22,000 staff, with a fleet of more than 2500 vehicles. Culina Group operates from over 100 depots across the UK and Ireland, serving more than 650 + clients over its framework of chilled, ambient, contract packaging solutions and fresh and baked goods.

Reporting to the Group Transformation Director, the Group Programme Director will be responsible to design, implement and lead the Culina’s Programme Management strategy.

This role is pivotal in shaping and delivering a unified PMO and delivery agenda across the organisation, ensuring alignment with corporate and Business objectives and driving measurable outcomes. The role will require building the programme management capability, frameworks, governance, tools, and team structure. You will act as a strategic partner to senior stakeholders, translating vision into actionable programmes and ensuring delivery excellence.

The role demands a leader with a strong track record in programme delivery, change management, and stakeholder engagement across complex, multi-functional environments.

This is a high-impact leadership role requiring both strategic foresight and operational execution, with the opportunity to shape the future of transformation delivery across the Group

Key Duties; 

• Establish Programme Management Office (PMO): Design and implement the PMO structure, governance, and operating model that aims to reduce risk and deliver business outcomes
•  Develop Programme Delivery Frameworks: Create standardised methodologies and tools for consistent programme execution that are outcome oriented and close to the operation to avoid ‘tick boxing’
• Build and Lead a High-Performing Team: Recruit, develop, and manage the programme delivery team, work with the BUs and the embedded colleagues to deliver quality outcomes that delivery ‘right first time’
• Strategic Programmes: Together with the team, oversee the delivery of high-priority transformation programmes across the Group.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with senior leaders to align programme goals with business strategy.
• Risk and Issue Management: Implement robust mechanisms to identify, assess, and mitigate programme risks.
• Performance Tracking and Reporting: Establish KPIs and reporting tools to monitor progress and outcomes.
• Programme and Project assurance: Ensure that projects and implementations land right first time without the need for
• Continuous Improvement: Drive a culture of learning and refinement within programme delivery practices.
• Change Leadership: Champion change management principles to ensure successful adoption of transformation initiatives.

• Proven experience in leading enterprise-wide transformation programmes
• Strong knowledge of programme and portfolio management methodologies
• Exceptional leadership and team-building capabilities
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Operational Experience in the logistics sector highly desirable
• Ability to operate strategically and tactically
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., PRINCE2)

As part of our drive to make Culina Group a great place to work. We are proud to be an inclusive and diverse organisation where we are committed to employee development and recognising success for hard working performers.

Our dedicated learning and development programmes are open to every employee to give you the opportunity to shape your own future within logistics and continue to work in an environment where team culture thrives.

Our People are the driving force behind our success, which is why we offer a wide range of benefits which include:

• Annual Leave – Competitive holiday entitlement of 25 days plus the bank holidays.
• Company Bonus – We do our best work to succeed together. When we achieve our goals you'll be rewarded through our bonus scheme.
• Company Car or Car Allowance
• Private Medical Cover – This gives you peace of mind, you have choice, flexibility and speed of access to the most clinically appropriate care via Bupa.
• Pension scheme – we want colleagues to enjoy a comfortable retirement so we offer a great contribution of 5% employee and 8% employer.
• Life Assurance -  4x your annual salary.
• Wellness – Via our Employee Assistance Programme, we offer immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service that operates 24 hours a days, 365 days a year.
• Eye Care Vouchers – We can provide you with substantial savings with free eye tests and discounts on prescription glasses.
• Reward & Recognition – We recognise that employees have gone the extra mile via Employee of the month and year, special recognition and long service awards.
• Everyday discounts - via our benefit platform you will have access to over 50 retailer discounts for everyday savings!

If you meet the requirements for the above role and are looking for your next career opportunity please apply now and become a part of our #WinningTeam!