Program Manager Vertical Integration

Medline Industries, LP•Northbrook, IL

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Program Manager Vertical Integration will lead the successful launch and operational readiness of new facilities, automation, and Prime Vendor customers. This senior leader will be responsible for orchestrating cross-functional teams, driving strategic alignment, and ensuring seamless integration of operations from initial planning through full-scale production. The ideal candidate brings deep operational expertise, a proven ability to influence at all levels, and a passion for building high-performing teams and systems from the ground up. This role calls for an individual with a high level of ownership to navigate and resolve conflict between competing priorities at each site and drive timely delivery. The role’s scope requires a strong ability to address ambiguity and deliver effective solutions that bridge gaps between teams, processes, and systems.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, engineering or a related field
7+ years in Supply Chain Operations.
3+ years of direct leadership experience.
Deep understanding of healthcare-related distribution and transportation processes
Excellent leadership and team management skills, with a track record of leading complex, cross-functional implementations.
Ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment across diverse teams
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities
Experience leading cross-functional teams
Experience using data and metrics to determine and drive improvements
Proficiency in Excel for data analysis (Pivot tables, Vlookup)
Detail-oriented and highly organized.
Ability to adapt to a dynamic startup environment and work well under pressure.
Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarify
Passion for building systems, teams, and culture from the ground up
Ability to manage complex project plans, ensuring clear definition of milestones, dependencies, and deliverables

Nice To Haves

MBA or master’s degree in supply chain or related field
PMP, Lean Green or Black Belt certification a plus.
Previous experience leading startups of new technology, business, or buildings
Proficiency in SQL, Tableau, or other data analysis software
Stays current with industry trends and emerging technologies to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in healthcare distribution

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end planning and execution of startup activities, including readiness planning, ramp-up, and operational handoff.
Solve complex problems that pose risk to project delivery and key milestones through deep dives with stakeholder Subject Matter Expert (SME) input.
Lead change initiatives by developing clear communication plans, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring smooth adoption of new processes, systems, and tools.
Anticipate resistance and proactively address concerns to maintain momentum and alignment throughout the organization.
Partner with Engineering, Facilities, Supply Chain, HR, Regulatory, Sales, and other departments to ensure alignment and readiness across all operational functions.
Influence senior leaders and peers to drive decision-making, resolve conflicts, and ensure startup goals are prioritized and resourced appropriately.
Demonstrate the ability to assign accountability where needed.
Establish and implement best practices for safety, quality, productivity, and sustainability during startup phases.
Gain buy-in and support from central operations teams when developing new processes, tools, or training to ensure alignment and scalability across the organization.
Build and lead high-performing startup teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Identify and mitigate risk related to startup timelines, resource constraints, and operational dependencies.
Be able to navigate ambiguity, recommend solutions, and drive decision-making amongst stakeholders.
Define KPIs and success metrics for startup milestones; monitor progress and report regularly to executive leadership.
Leverage data to derive insights, optimize distribution and operational processes, and make informed decisions.
Develop and implement standardized tools and frameworks that enable consistent, data-backed decision-making across teams and sites.