Job Description

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
The Manager, Category Management has full profit-and-loss responsibility for one or more product categories within Consumer Health and drives revenue growth, profitability, market share, and brand awareness. Reporting to a Senior Manager, Category Management who oversees all product categories within a Consumer Health division, this job negotiates favorable agreements with vendors, executes product promotions, designs planograms, and tracks product changes. This job supervises a small team of Advisors and Coordinators who manage lower volume product categories and execute administrative tasks to support the division.
Responsibilities

• Develops strategic category plans and innovative merchandising programs to deliver on financial objectives for the product category. Applies expert knowledge of product and of market to ensure Cardinal Health products gain and maintain competitive advantages in retail channels
• Fosters key supplier relationships and negotiates favorable agreements for SKUs within the product category, applying strong financial and business acumen. Typically interacts with suppliers on an annual basis, and continually evaluates supplier performance and manages accounts payable using supplier portals
• Supervises a team of Advisors and Coordinators with the division to ensure execution of category management strategies and of administrative tasks related to supplier relations. Provides guidance and feedback to direct reports and sets individual goals for team members
• Collaborates with cross functional stakeholders including Pricing, Marketing, Legal, QRA, Planning, Inventory Management, Finance, Sales and Operations. Gains internal alignment and gathers information necessary to execute category management tactics
• Continually monitors revenue and expenses for product category against established goals. Reports to Senior Manager, Category Management on performance of product category and individual products
• Manages and optimizes category assortment planning and planogram review processes, creating the most advantageous mix and positioning of products in the category
• Assesses sales trends and forecasts based on SKU data and evaluates implications for merchandising and pricing strategies
• Attends trade shows, conferences, and other industry events to stay abreast of market developments, liaise with suppliers, and assess new merchandising and supplier opportunities
• Leads regular people management processes within team, including performance management, recruiting, development and training

Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field, preferred
8-12 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or retail strategy, preferred
Proven leadership experience with direct team management and cross-functional influence
Strong analytical and financial acumen; ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable strategies
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with syndicated data tools (e.g., Nielsen, IRI) preferred
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: $105,100 - $157,605
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: 12/12/2025 *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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