Sr. Analyst, Materials Management

What Materials Management 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.

Materials Management is responsible for the management of material inventory levels to ensure that raw material components and manufactured products are available when needed to satisfy the plant and customer requirements. Responsibilities include the planning and procurement of material components to minimize obsolescence and overstock situations while achieving maximum customer service levels.

The Senior Analyst, Materials Management, plays a critical role in optimizing the flow of materials, ensuring inventory accuracy, and supporting efficient production operations while adhering to quality and safety standards. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, strong analytical skills, and effective cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Procurement

• Develop and execute raw material procurement strategies, optimizing cost efficiency, inventory levels, and continuity of supply
• Utilize Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., AS400, PRMS) for efficient and effective raw material purchasing, including issuing forecasts to suppliers and managing Kanban programs
• Proactively identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks, collaborating closely with Sourcing, Production Planning, Operations, Research & Development (R&D), Quality, and Operational Excellence (OPEX) teams
• Participate in strategic projects and initiatives focused on supply chain improvements and cost reductions
• Procure necessary goods and services by identifying needs, researching products, evaluating vendors, and negotiating prices and terms

Inventory Management & Optimization

• Manage and control inventory costs, striving to achieve and exceed backorder and product availability goals
• Oversee and optimize on-hand inventory operations, including monitoring stock levels, initiating reorders, and performing physical inventories to ensure accuracy
• Lead efforts to resolve inventory discrepancies, including assisting Cycle Counters and Process Engineers in troubleshooting Material Usage Variance (MUV) and cycle count losses or gains
• Ensure high count accuracy for silo materials and other inventory parts through systematic verification processes, which include
• Interpreting automated sensor readings (e.g., Binmaster), understanding their inherent limitations, and performing consistent manual checks (e.g., laser scanner and visual check)
• Reconciling automated and manual readings, investigating significant variances (e.g., greater than +/- 5% of total material) by analyzing production data (PRMS, Vorne), material characteristics (e.g., bulk density, compaction), and sensor performance
• Documenting investigation findings and providing data-driven explanations for material swings
• Implementing and maintaining transactional discipline, clear material identification, and proper segregation of non-conforming or contaminated materials.

Data Analysis & System Integrity

• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of Bill of Material (BOM) information, Router, and Item Master data within ERP systems (e.g., BPCS, PRMS), collaborating with Agile and Process Engineers
• Maintain accurate raw material pricing within ERP systems
• Generate and analyze reports for manufacturing, vendors, and special projects, providing actionable insights for decision-making
• Ensure appropriate invoicing and payables transactions with suppliers
• Ensure proper maintenance of ERP system procurement parameters.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to develop achievable master production schedules that meet net requirements and support efficient production
• Coordinate raw material and product changes to minimize inventory obsolescence and meet business objectives
• Communicate clearly and effectively with Corporate Planners and Logistics on escalated issues and critical supply chain matters
• Address and resolve complaints and issues related to vendors, shipments, invoices, and product discrepancies
• Liaise with Maintenance planners to provide updates on parts on order, ensuring timely delivery to appropriate departments.

Compliance & Process Improvement

• Ensure strict adherence to all safety precautions, regulations, and current plant policies and procedures, actively reporting any safety hazards or potential unsafe working conditions
• Oversee and ensure compliance with established procedures for the receipt of incoming materials, including checking freight bills, handling discrepancies (quantity, damage, contamination), notifying purchasing of refusals, inspecting containers, and ensuring proper PRMS/Receiving Memo processing and Quality Assurance (QA) disposition
• Monitor and ensure compliance with raw material inspection procedures, including sampling, acceptance guidelines, disposition, and comprehensive documentation (Raw Material History Records - RMHRs)
• Ensure the accurate identification and traceability of resins and color concentrates throughout storage, use, and reuse, in accordance with established protocols (e.g., logbooks, source tags, material placards)
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of materials management processes, identifying opportunities for efficiency, accuracy, and compliance enhancements.

Physical Requirements & Certifications

• Retain and maintain a valid Cardinal Health approved forklift license
• Perform frequent climbing to high locations as required for the verification of silo quantities.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience, preferred
• Bachelor's degree in related field, or equivalent work experience, preferred

What is expected of you and others at this level

• Applies working knowledge in the application of concepts, principles and technical capabilities to perform varied tasks
• Works on projects of moderate scope and complexity
• Identifies possible solutions to a variety of technical problems and takes action to resolve
• Applies judgment within defined parameters
• Receives general guidance and may receive more detailed instruction on new projects
• Work reviewed for sound reasoning and accuracy

Anticipated salary range: $49,600 - $82,360

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: 5/22/2026 *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.