Director – Distribution Operations

Position Summary

The Director of Operations reports to the Vice President, Operations and is responsible for motivating, developing, and leading a team of five direct reports and 100+ indirect employees. 

The Director ensures all Cardinal Health operational, financial and safety procedures are followed, enabling relevant key financial performance indicators are met and operational goals are achieved. The new state of the art automated distribution center, located in Indianapolis, IN is 230,000 square feet and picks, packs, and ships approximately 26.5 million lines of pharmaceutical products annually.  The Director role is essential to maintaining clear and frequent communications with all levels within the organization as well as with customers.

The Director provides strategic direction and leadership, ensuring execution of the distribution center's employee engagement and retention strategies and internal and external customer satisfaction.  In addition, this leader will lead the distribution center's compliance with all appropriate state and federal agencies. 

Position Accountabilities

• Provide strategic leadership to managers, experienced professional staff and operational associates
• Promote a productive work environment with high employee engagement levels
• Lead initiatives designed to improve processes or continuous improvement projects throughout the facility
• Develop and implement key performance indicators, policies and procedures to achieve organizational goals
• Influence and understand the business and culture strategy and translate the strategy into executable initiatives for their department.
• Build a highly effective team with a winning culture and opportunities to develop talent, including enhancing organization capabilities and building strong talent pipelines
• Interact with internal and external leaders, including senior management across the Supply Chain
• Persuade others into agreement with sensitive situations while maintaining positive relationships across the organization
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams at all levels within the organization (Human Resources, Transportation, Sales, Finance, and Safety)
• Enforce Cardinal Health compliance and regulations for OSHA, DEA, FDA, state and local authorities, primary facility contact for QRA compliance.
• Evaluate current procedures and practices for accomplishing department objectives

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred
• 7 -10 years of senior level experience in a distribution environment preferred
• 5 years of operations management experience preferred
• Experience launching new distribution sites preferred
• Experience implementing and scaling modern technology solutions (ERP, WMS, TMS)
• Experience managing supplier relationships and global vendor performance
• Strong financial acumen, analytical, organizational and communication skills
• Knowledge of Health and Safety laws and best practices
• Experience working with Lean Six Sigma projects
• Demonstrated ability to hire, develop and retain employees
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced ever-changing environment; works well under pressure and results oriented
• Have a working understanding of user interfaces, electronic controls and components related to conveyance and production-related automated systems;
• Have a working understanding and/or hands-on experience with PLCs, robotics control systems and machine operations

Anticipated salary range: $137,300 - $221,760

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: 10/15/2025 *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.

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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