Location:

243 Consumers Road, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4W8

At Shoppers Drug Mart, we’re innovating health and wellness in Canada. From prescriptions to walk-in clinics, and a beloved loyalty program, we’re caring and supporting our customers in new ways every day.
With more than 1,300 locally owned and operated stores from coast to coast, the Shoppers Drug Mart network is more than a great place to shop, it’s a great place to work.  We’re committed to building our talented team who champion collaboration, kindness and inclusivity. Join our team, and help recognize a healthy future for your career and for all Canadians.

Why this role is important?

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the SVP, Pharmacy Operations & Transformation, the Vice President, Pharmacy Operations, Clinical Excellence & Transformation is responsible for leading enterprise pharmacy operations, clinical excellence, patient safety, workflow optimization, systems modernization, and operational transformation across Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw Pharmacy.

The incumbent is accountable for shaping the future pharmacy operating model by advancing innovative care delivery, optimizing operational performance, and leveraging technology, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes, colleague experience, productivity, and business performance.

This role oversees Pharmacy Operations, Incident Management, Clinical Excellence, Pharmacy Workflow Design & Optimization, and Pharmacist Professional Development. The Vice President serves as the enterprise leader responsible for ensuring pharmacy operations are scalable, efficient, clinically excellent, and positioned to meet the evolving needs of patients, healthcare providers, regulators, and the business.

Working closely with Pharmacy Systems, Technology, Health & Wellness, Professional Affairs, Government Relations, Finance, Real Estate, Legal, Compliance, Privacy, National Operations and other enterprise partners, the incumbent drives strategic initiatives that support sustainable growth, operational excellence, innovation, and patient safety across the pharmacy network.

Direct Reports

• Senior Director, Pharmacy Operations - Eastern Canada
• Senior Director, Pharmacy Operations - Western Canada
• Senior Director, Pharmacy Workflow Design & Optimization
• Senior Director, Pharmacy Performance
• Senior Director, Healthcare Strategy

What You'll Do

Digital Transformation, Systems & Artificial Intelligence

• Develop and execute the pharmacy operations technology and transformation roadmap in partnership with Pharmacy Systems, Technology, Data & Analytics teams.
• Identify and implement opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning, predictive analytics, and digital tools to improve patient care, operational efficiency, decision-making, and workforce productivity.
• Champion innovative technologies that simplify pharmacy workflows, reduce administrative burden, and enhance both colleague and patient experiences.
• Lead the assessment, prioritization, and implementation of systems enhancements and large-scale technology initiatives impacting pharmacy operations.
• Establish governance, performance measures, and benefit realization frameworks to ensure successful adoption and measurable value from technology investments.
• Monitor emerging healthcare technologies and industry trends to position the organization as a leader in pharmacy innovation.

Enterprise Pharmacy Operations

• Lead enterprise pharmacy operations across Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw Pharmacy, ensuring safe, efficient, and scalable execution of pharmacy services.
• Establish and execute operational strategies that drive revenue growth, improve productivity, manage costs, and enhance profitability while maintaining a patient-first approach.
• Oversee pharmacy workflow design, labour planning, labour standards, operating models, and workforce optimization strategies.
• Lead the modernization of Pharmacy Care Clinics, dispensaries, and pharmacy operating environments to support evolving patient care needs.
• Ensure operational readiness and successful implementation of enterprise initiatives impacting pharmacy operations.
• Act as the senior operational liaison with National Operations, Associate-Owners and Peers.

Clinical Excellence & Patient Safety

• Establish and advance enterprise standards for clinical quality, patient safety, professional practice, and pharmacy care delivery.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and accountability through robust incident reporting, root cause analysis, and knowledge sharing.
• Lead enterprise incident management processes to identify systemic opportunities, mitigate risk, and improve patient outcomes.
• Partner with Professional Affairs and Pharmacy Leadership teams to prepare the organization for evolving scopes of practice and future healthcare delivery models.
• Ensure compliance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, privacy obligations, and company policies across all pharmacy operations.

Enterprise Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish enterprise performance measurement frameworks and leverage analytics to identify trends, optimize operations, improve labour deployment, and drive financial performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on workflow optimization, operational effectiveness, patient safety, and service quality.
• Monitor operational, clinical, and financial performance metrics and implement corrective actions where required.
• Drive the adoption of data-driven decision-making practices across pharmacy operations.
• Ensure best practices are identified, scaled, and consistently implemented across the pharmacy network.

Strategy, Partnerships & Growth

• Translate enterprise strategy into actionable operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, regulatory bodies, vendors, and healthcare organizations.
• Represent pharmacy operations in enterprise strategic planning and transformation initiatives.
• Provide operational leadership and subject matter expertise on major business initiatives, ensuring solutions are practical, scalable, and store-ready.
• Monitor competitive, regulatory, and healthcare industry developments and recommend strategies that strengthen market position and business performance.
• Partner across functions to support the growth of pharmacy services, healthcare offerings, and future business opportunities.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing and inclusive leadership team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Build organizational capabilities required to support future pharmacy practice, technology adoption, and evolving business needs.
• Oversee pharmacist professional development priorities and programs across the enterprise.
• Create succession plans and leadership development strategies to ensure a strong pipeline of future talent.

What You'll Need

• Demonstrated success leading large-scale operations, transformation, and business performance initiatives within complex, multi-site organizations.
• Proven ability to develop and execute enterprise strategies that deliver measurable operational, clinical, financial, and customer outcomes.
• Experience leading technology-enabled transformation, workflow redesign, systems implementation, automation, analytics, or AI-driven initiatives.
• Deep understanding of retail pharmacy operations, pharmacy workflow, healthcare delivery, and patient safety principles.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian healthcare systems, pharmacy regulation, government programs, third-party payors, and professional practice standards.
• Proven ability to lead through significant organizational change and influence outcomes within highly matrixed environments.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and executive influencing skills.
• Strong business acumen with experience managing large budgets, complex investments, and P&L accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage data, analytics, and performance insights to inform strategic decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience building high-performing teams and developing future leaders.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, balance competing priorities, and make sound decisions in complex environments.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BScPhm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) an asset but not required.
• MBA or equivalent advanced business education considered a strong asset.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive leadership experience in pharmacy operations, healthcare operations, retail pharmacy, or a related field.
• Experience leading enterprise-scale transformation, operational excellence, technology modernization, or clinical quality initiatives preferred.

Why work at Shoppers Drug Mart?

Acting as consultants, supporting internal customers and the Associate-Owners, you will get experience unique to the retail industry while working for an award-winning national brand.   Benefit from a purchase discount program, competitive pay and online learning through Academy.

Take ownership of your work and find more ways to care about your work, co-workers, customers and community.

How You’ll Succeed:

At Shoppers Drug Mart Inc., we seek great people to continually strengthen our culture.  We believe great people model our values, are authentic, build trust and make connections. 

If that sounds like you, and you are open-minded, responsive to change and up to the challenges provided in a fast-paced retail environment, apply today. 

Employment Type:

Full time

Type of Role:

Regular

Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. recognizes Canada's diversity as a source of national pride and strength. We have made it a priority to reflect our nation’s evolving diversity in the products we sell, the people we hire, and the culture we create in our organization. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired.

In addition, we believe that compliance with laws is about doing the right thing.  Upholding the law is part of our Code of Conduct – it reinforces what our customers and stakeholders expect of us.

Please Note: If you have Employee Self Service (ESS) on Workday, apply to this job via the Workday application.

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