Program Manager, Carrier Relations

What Program and Project Management contributes to Cardinal Health

Transformation enables the organization to drive complex and transformational programs through disciplined project/program management and change management strategies.

Program & Project Management applies general business knowledge to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures, and timing for an administrative or business process. This job family organizes project teams, establishes project schedules and individual responsibilities, and determines resource requirements.  Program & Project Management manages project budgets and reports on the status of project cost, timing and staffing. This job family also ensures adherence to internal external quality standards and integrates vendor tasks and deliverables into project plans.

What Program and Carrier Relations Management contributes to Cardinal Health

OptiFreight’ s Business Development and Carrier Relations team evaluates, researches, recommends new service, channel, and carrier/mode expansion opportunities in alignment with business strategies and customer needs. This team continuously identifies and cultivates innovative carrier, freight, logistics and supply chain management solutions for the healthcare market and partners with cross-functional teams to assess strategic fit, technical feasibility, and organizational alignment.

OptiFreight® Logistics is an undisputed industry leader in delivering savings via third-party freight management.  Annually, OptiFreight® manages over 20 million shipments for over 2,000 customers, generating collective savings of $535M. OptiFreight® has begun to expand our footprint to incorporate Same Day / Courier as well as other modalities of transportation management.   Our goal is to offer full suite transportation management to cover ALL transportation needs of healthcare providers.   Our proven methods and innovation have led to unique volume-driving capabilities to that support the ability to drive capture and mange more shipments and freight spend than anyone in this space.   Ultimately, our ability to deliver value comes through people (highly consultative), scale (breadth of experience and shipments managed), and insights (data driven actions that lead to value).

Job Summary

The Program Manager, Carrier Relations provides coordination, input, and support in the development of carrier strategies to maximize program value and improve customer satisfaction of OptiFreight’s Same Day and Regional Next Day Carrier products. Among other things, this person is accountable for: product enhancements, addressable markets support, contract rates, performance metrics, carrier vetting/contracting and strategic management activities.

Responsibilities

• Qualify, organize, and contract carrier providers for current state use and future model.
• Preparing logistics data for (daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly) business reviews.
• Subject matter expert for last mile delivery solutions and optimization.
• Conducts, reviews, and makes recommendations on pricing and RFP activities for courier partners.
• Interact extensively with Operations teams to optimize cross-functional alignment and business processes, as well as assist in solutioning problems brought to the department’s attention.
• Serves as a primary support to the Sr. Manager role as needed in all functions.
• Contribute to the development of products, policies, and procedures.
• Provides input to define the business dynamics necessary for portfolio expansion including market size, barriers to entry, differentiated value and existing portfolio alignment.
• Consults with partner teams (Suppliers/Sales/Ops/ Customers/ Carriers) as needed for product development.
• Actively takes part in strategy development and program prioritization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (i.e., Logistics, Transportation, or Supply Chain Management) preferred, or equivalent work experience, preferred
• 8-12 years of experience, preferred
• 5+ years of work experience in direct procurement (to include contracting) and negotiations for courier modes and procurement preferred
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams
• Demonstrated success applying project management skills, tools, and techniques to meet project objectives.
• Prior experience using a Transportation Management System (TMS) or Courier Management System (CMS) preferred
• Process oriented approach with a focus on continuous improvement (lean) and agile development.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Flexible and responsive attitude capable of managing multiple, shifting priorities.
• Must display an elevated level of organization skills and the ability to work independently.
• Previous experience managing carrier QBR's, developing KPI metrics, and dashboards preferred
• Working knowledge of Trimble maps Direct Route, or similar tool a plus
• Ability to travel up to 15%-20%

Location

• Remote, work from home
• Travel up to 15%-20%

What is expected of you and others at this level

• Applies advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, and technical capabilities to manage a wide variety of projects
• Participates in the development of policies and procedures to achieve specific goals
• Recommends new practices, processes, metrics, or models
• Works on or may lead complex projects of large scope
• Projects may have significant and long-term impact
• Provides solutions which may set precedent
• Independently determines method for completion of new projects
• Receives guidance on overall project objectives
• Acts as a mentor to less experienced colleagues

Anticipated salary range: $103,500-$147,900

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: 02/09/2025 *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.

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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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