Urgent Search: Director, Inventory Management, Pharmacy Care Services

Director, Inventory Management, Pharmacy Care Services (PCS) – Dublin / Letterkenny

Optum is a global organisation that delivers care, aided by technology, to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale.Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Position Summary:

As a Fortune 5 business, we’re one of the world's leading healthcare companies. There are no limits here on the resources you’ll have or the challenges you’ll encounter. We have been supporting global healthcare systems from Ireland and the UK for more than 20 years, building a dynamic and diverse team of more than 2,100 talented individuals. With a continued record of growth and stability, we’re on the constant lookout for fresh talent to join our expanding teams. The Director, Inventory Management, will report to Sr. Director and lead a team of direct reports. The Associate Director will create a new business planning function with OptumRx's Procurement department. This new integrated business planning (IBP) function will consist of sales & operations planning (S&O), forecasting and demand planning, inventory planning, and supplier collaboration. This role is to ensure success for Optum's advanced planning and collaboration solution and needs a strategically minded leader who can also manage the ongoing processes involved with forecasting demand, adjusting demand based on sales inputs, and aligning demand with available supply in supply chain. This high-impact leadership role will require a blend of strategic thinking, change management, relationship management and operational execution. The ideal candidate will be passionate about healthcare innovation, experienced in navigating complex provider ecosystems and skilled at influencing senior stakeholders.

Careers with Optum offer hybrid work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin or Letterkenny offices.

Primary Responsibilities of the Director, Inventory Management, Pharmacy Care Services (PCS):

- Deploy a new demand forecasting and supplier collaboration system.

- Deep knowledge of S&O process, forecasting systems, inventory planning, and matching demand with supply.

- Develop and execute a clear demand planning strategy for the business and manage a high‑performing team charged with all aspects of demand planning.

- Partner with business leaders to develop a thorough understanding of clients, members, market dynamics, trends, as well as marketing strategies and tactics designed to drive demand forecasting process effectively and achieve business objectives.

- Ensure the demand planning process is in place to deliver the business plan with operational excellence.

- Own process building aligned plans for product including life cycle, seasonality, new and lost businesses volume, and new product launches.

- Engage business leaders in resolving strategic demand issues through in‑depth analysis and marketplace assessment to understand the risk/benefit trade‑offs between various approaches and opportunities.

- Act as a key liaison between the executive leadership team and operational teams.

- Lead and support sustainable process improvement by diagnosing complex business problems and providing recommended plans to deliver process improvements through the implementation of Lean Six Sigma Principles.

- Business ownership of all demand and supply planning systems as well as Procure to Pay system functionality and improvements.

- Facilitate and own the S&O monthly cycle.

- Work closely with operations, fulfillment, and procurement teams to optimize inventory levels and minimize lead times.

- Lead the implementation of advanced planning application such as Kinaxis.

- Implement forecasting tools and methodologies to improve accuracy.

- Implement supplier collaboration tools and methodologies to improve service levels and reduce out-of-stocks.

- Lead supplier collaboration process by working with each supplier to develop, implement, and execute a supplier collaboration process appropriate for that relationship.

- Provide leadership, and subject matter expertise to teams across global sites as it relates to SIOP, materials planning, inventory management, and supplier collaboration.

- Direct supervision and best practice training of Demand Planners and Analysts. Initiate continuous improvement programs focused on inventory optimization with cost reduction.

- Lead, manage and develop the Demand Planners and Senior Analysts including goal setting, performance review, hiring decisions, culture, etc. in support of job satisfaction, retention, and career development.

- Develop functional, market level, and/or site strategy, plans, production and/or organizational priorities.

- Identify and resolve technical, operational and organisational problems outside own team.

Required Qualifications of the Director, Inventory Management, Pharmacy Care Services (PCS):

- Proven experience in forecasting and supply chain, preferably within healthcare or pharmaceuticals.

- Extensive experience leading people and managing teams.

- Experience with demand planning software.

- Experience in and/or exposure to S&O, SIOP, or CPFR processes and procedures.

- Experience with aspects of the supply chain, including planning, fulfillment operations, purchasing, warehousing, and inventory management is ideal.

- Experience in change management and work redesign initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications of the Director, Inventory Management, Pharmacy Care Services (PCS)

- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

- Familiarity with forecasting software platforms.

- Advanced level of Excel.

- Exceptional analytical and problem solving skills.

- Highly collaborative leadership style and excellent facilitation skills.

- Ability to lead effectively and handle conflict in cross‑functional integration roles.

- Solid influence management skills.

- Ability to manage cross‑operating group/cross‑functional resources without the use of direct reports.

- Ability to interact with various levels of the organization.

- Ability to communicate within all levels of the organization.

Leadership Competencies of the Director, Inventory Management, Pharmacy Care Services (PCS)

- Ability to be a strategic thinker with a results‑oriented mindset.

- Skilled in influencing and building consensus across senior leadership.

- High emotional intelligence and situational awareness.

- Ability to lead through change and foster innovation.

Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Optum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, and membership of the Traveller community, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum is a drug‑free workplace. © 2025 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.

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