Manager, Category Management, U.S. Medical Products and Distribution

This role can be remote and based anywhere within the United States. Ideal candidates will be within a drivable distance to the Dublin, OH, office.

What Category Management contributes to Cardinal Health

Marketing is responsible for assessing customer needs, market conditions and competition to inform business strategy. Marketing implements the strategy through developing, commercializing and monitoring the appropriate products and services.

Category Management is responsible for cross functional collaboration that helps to deliver sales, profitability and inventory productivity goals by capitalizing on retail marketplace and shopper trends in designated categories. Manages and optimizes supplier relationships and product portfolio to drive financial results, increase market share and exceed customer expectations.

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and strategic assortment planning leader to execute key product lifecycle and inventory optimization efforts. The Manager, Category Management, US Medical Products and Distribution is responsible for the National Brand assortment planning including analyzing SKU performance, managing surplus, and driving cost efficiency through collaboration with Operations, Inventory Management, Global Sourcing, Sales, Distribution Marketing, and various other cross-functional support teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, a deep understanding of product and margin performance, and the ability to effectively influence to drive impactful results across the business.

Responsibilities

Product Lifecycle Management

• Identify duplicative product families and opportunities to consolidate or convert to high-volume SKUs.
• Review and analyze slow and no-move SKUs to drive assortment optimization.
• Conduct low- and negative-margin SKU assessments to inform go-forward strategies.
• Collaborate with global sourcing and operations teams to recommend SKUs for end-of-life status or to renegotiate improved cost and terms with manufacturers.

Inventory and Surplus Management

• Oversee new item onboarding processes including stocking requirements and system set-up.
• Monitor and manage surplus inventory, identifying SKUs eligible for return, resale, or scrap.
• Own the execution of surplus disposition strategies—resell viable inventory or initiate scrapping where necessary.
• Partner with operations and global sourcing to execute product returns or scrapping processes.
• Analyze distribution and stocking expenses for slow/no-move SKUs to minimize exposure to excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory.

Team Leadership

• Provide guidance, support, and day-to-day direction to one direct report.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Leads regular people management processes within team, including performance management, recruiting, development and training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred
• 4+ years of experience in assortment planning, supply chain, or inventory management.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills; proficiency with Excel and ERP systems.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions, especially with operations and sourcing teams.
• Experience managing surplus or end-of-life product processes is highly desirable.
• Leadership experience or demonstrated readiness to manage and develop direct reports required
• Ability to travel up to 25% (about 1x per quarter)

What is expected of you and others at this level

• Manages department operations and supervises professional employees, front line supervisors and/or business support staff
• Participates in the development of policies and procedures to achieve specific goals
• Ensures employees operate within guidelines
• Decisions have a short term impact on work processes, outcomes and customers
• Interacts with subordinates, peers, customers, and suppliers at various management levels; may interact with senior management
• Interactions normally involve resolution of issues related to operations and/or projects
• Gains consensus from various parties involved

Anticipated salary range: $103,500 - $155,295

** 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.

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

Application window anticipated to close: 05/09/2025 *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.

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