Director, Category Management

Position Overview:

The Director of Category Management is a strategic leader responsible for driving revenue growth, profitability, and market share through expert portfolio management and execution of category strategies. This role leads cross-functional initiatives to optimize product offerings, supplier relationships, and customer value within a specific area of the business.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Portfolio Leadership: Own and evolve the product portfolio strategy for a designated condition, ensuring alignment with market trends, customer needs, and financial goals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance and other key functions to deliver integrated solutions that meet customer expectations and drive category performance.
• Market Intelligence & Growth Strategy: Analyze competitive landscape, shopper behavior, and industry dynamics to inform strategic decisions and identify growth opportunities.
• Risk & Compliance Oversight: Monitor product recalls, lawsuits, and regulatory developments to mitigate risk and uphold product integrity.
• Team Leadership: Provide direction and mentorship to a team of managers and professionals, fostering a high-performance culture and driving accountability for results.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Merchandising, Marketing, or a related discipline or equivalent experience in a related field
• 12+ years of progressive experience in Category Management, or related fields, preferred
• Experience leading and developing a team
• Healthcare experience preferred
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and delivering measurable business impact
• Proven experience building and executing strategic direction
• Experience working with outside vendors / suppliers and managing relationships
• Knowledge of pricing and strong financial acumen
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and strategic thinking skills
• Risk management or experience navigating risk
• Lead with vision and influence across the organization
• Ability to make decisions with broad impact on processes, outcomes, and customer relationships
• Navigate complex, sensitive situations with diplomacy and business acumen

What is expected of you and others at this level:

• Provides leadership to managers and experienced professional staff; may also manage front line supervisors
• Manage budgets and contribute to functional strategy development
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to achieve organizational goals
• Assists in the development of functional strategy
• Decisions have an extended impact on work processes, outcomes, and customers
• Interacts with internal and/or external leaders, including senior management
• Persuades others into agreement in sensitive situations while maintaining positive relationships

Anticipated salary range: $135,400 - $208,100

Bonus eligible: Yes

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

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.

Application window anticipated to close: 11/15/2025 **if interested in opportunity, please submit application as soon as possible.

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.