Consultant, Supply Chain Inventory/Purchasing (Brand Products)

What Supply Chain Inventory/Purchasing contributes to Cardinal Health
Operations is responsible for materials handling and product distribution in a distribution or manufacturing environment. Includes warehousing and fulfillment of materials and products, transportation, inventory management as well as demand, supply and manufacturing planning.

The Supply Chain Inventory/Purchasing team is responsible for managing supplier relations at a tactical level by executing and expediting purchase orders. Supply Chain Inventory/Purchasing ensures the right quantity of products arrive in the right place, at the right time and cost. Assists in negotiating product and supply chain costs. Utilize terms and conditions of supplier contracts, work with internal customers to improve processes, and evaluate supplier performance that ultimately improves the supply chain.

Job Summary
The Supply Chain Inventory/Purchasing Consultant assists with sales operations for over the counter products. This job develops a sales forecast by aligning results from sales (past trends) and marketing (future events) and presents findings, trends and reports in the Sales and Operations planning meetings. This job also facilitates Sales and Operations meetings and reaches alignment between demand and sales supply. In addition, this job generates monthly reports to communicate with management regarding supply and demand issues and develops excel files for the sales team tools to gather sales demand data.

Responsibilities

• Manages 60-100 Brand supplier relationships, facilitates or attends in-person and virtual meetings with suppliers
• Plans the inventory levels for ~8,000 SKUs with an average on hand of $2B
  • Planning includes understanding the true demand from our Demand Planning team, customers, or Sales team members, updating item forecasts, and working with your suppliers to ensure they can support our demand, placing the orders, and following up to be sure they are delivered on time
  • Align inventory strategy with Sourcing to meet service and inventory requirements
• Reviews order exceptions (ex. large order quantities, overstocked product in other FDCs, etc.) before placing purchase orders consistent with stocking strategies
• Manages supplier portfolio to key metrics (DIOH, service level, lead time, minimum order quantities, etc.)
• Ensures accurate demand forecasting by reviewing trends and incorporating customer/market insights
• Maintains purchasing systems parameters for assigned supplier portfolio such as order minimums, order days, lead time, order cycle, etc.
• Serves as the primary inventory contact for the supplier and holds regular meetings to ensure there is a solid supply plan and we are accountable for strong performance
• Collaborate/negotiate effectively with suppliers and stakeholders to manage issues, gather relevant data, review performance and drive improvements (ex. EDI transactions and fill rates are acceptable)
• Proactively analyze service failures to mitigate future issues which may include the placement of emergency purchase orders
• Manage the release of backordered products into our supply chain
• Assist in the execution of new manufacturers, new product launches, and item replacements (NDC changes)
• Effectively manage specific supplier days inventory on hand per the distribution service agreement (overstocked products, No/move slow move product, manual minimums, inventory order point adjustments, etc.)
• Create and maintain product availability messaging via manufacturer backorder reports
• Participate and/or lead projects; independently manage project milestones to completion and improve department workflow
• In-depth knowledge of work processes and tools within Brand and Brokerage Purchasing
• Apply expertise to solve standard and non-standard problems
• Serve as SME for key responsibilities of the team and provide guidance on data analysis
• Establish standard processes for planning, forecasting, metrics research, etc.
• Assist in resolving issues that are escalated by suppliers, customers, and stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or equivalent work experience, preferred
• 3-5 years of experience preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel preferred
• Strong analytical skills and proven ability to analyze data trends with the use of reporting tools (ex. Business Objects, Looker, Alteryx, Tableau) and initiate action from findings preferred
• Experience with purchasing systems preferred (SCORE, SAP, etc.)
• Sense of urgency, attention to detail and accountability
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical end to end supply chain concepts, financial acumen, and product knowledge preferred
• Conduct fact-based negotiations to positively impact Cardinal Health and its customers
• Ability to build strong collaborative relationships using effective verbal and written communication in English; influence outcomes for internal and external customers
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision at a high level of accuracy
• Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to identify and meet milestones
• Identify and drive improvements using root cause problem solving skills
• Considers all risks and possibilities and proactively generates creative solutions

What is expected of you and others at this level

• Applies comprehensive knowledge and a thorough understanding of concepts, principles, and technical capabilities to perform varied tasks and projects
• May contribute to the development of policies and procedures
• Works on complex projects of large scope
• Develops technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems
• Solutions are innovative and consistent with organization objectives
• Completes work; independently receives general guidance on new projects
• Work reviewed for purpose of meeting objectives
• May act as a mentor to less experienced colleagues

Anticipated salary range: $66,500 - $94,900

Bonus eligible: No

Benefits: Cardinal Health offers a wide variety of benefits and programs to support health and well-being.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Paid time off plan
• Health savings account (HSA)
• 401k savings plan
• Access to wages before pay day with myFlexPay
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Work-Life resources
• Paid parental leave
• Healthy lifestyle programs

Application window anticipated to close: 1/25/2025 *if interested in opportunity, please submit application as soon as possible.

The salary range listed is an estimate. Pay at Cardinal Health is determined by multiple factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s geographical location, relevant education, experience and skills and an evaluation of internal pay equity.

Candidates who are back-to-work, people with disabilities, without a college degree, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Cardinal Health supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. Cardinal Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.