Senior Specialist, Data Analytics - Category Planning

Cardinal Health•Dublin, OH

12d•$68,500 - $88,020•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Planning team is a strategic business partner embedded deeply within Consumer Health Category Management, dedicated to turning market and performance data into a competitive advantage. By leveraging advanced analytics platforms and business intelligence tools, we uncover the story behind the numbers to solve complex commercial challenges. Our insights directly shape category strategies, influence product assortments, and drive measurable business growth. We serve as the vital link between data and execution, empowering Category Management leaders to anticipate market trends, track performance seamlessly, and make confident, profitable decisions. As an Analytics Associate reporting to the Director of Category Planning, this role acts as an exciting launchpad into the analytics pillar of our team and is an ideal opportunity for early-career professionals looking to accelerate their growth. In this role, you won't just be pulling data - you will be the engine that powers our day-to-day business decisions. You will gain hands-on exposure to a wide array of advanced analytics tools, data ecosystems, and reporting processes, all while learning the inner workings of our commercial strategy. By driving foundational reporting, optimizing our data operations, and surfacing key metrics, you will directly add value to the business and build a strong foundation of technical and commercial acumen.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Economics, Finance, Statistics, Data Science, or equivalent work experience preferred
1-3 years of experience in category management/category planning analytics, commercial/sales operations analytics, or a similar data-driven role
Experience using modern BI tools (Looker, PowerBI, Tableau or similar) to interact with and maintain dashboards, preferred.
Beginner proficiency in writing SQL queries, with exposure to or hands-on experience using cloud data warehouses (e.g., Google BigQuery) in a plus
Experience or strong interest in leveraging AI tools (Gemini, Copilot or similar) and automation (e.g., prompt engineering) to improve daily workflows and reporting efficiency
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clarify business questions and provide proactive updates
Solid analytical problem-solving skills and a strict attention to detail and data hygiene

Nice To Haves

Exposure to workflow automation tools (Alteryx or similar) is a plus
Prior experience using enterprise ERP systems (e.g., SAP) or working within the Pharmaceutical Distribution / Consumer Health industry is a plus
Familiarity with incorporating and analyzing non-transactional or syndicated market data (e.g., NIQ, IRI) alongside internal metrics is a plus

Responsibilities

Drive the execution of recurring standard reports with consistent timing and formatting, ensuring stakeholders have the critical data they need to stay informed and agile
Transform ad hoc data requests into actionable deliverables by actively engaging with stakeholders to uncover the core business questions and confirming the optimal output
Act as the frontline of our analytics operations by effectively triaging incoming requests and intelligently scoping requirements, deadlines, and stakeholder needs
Keep the team's analytics engine running smoothly by maintaining an organized backlog, providing visibility into statuses, ETAs, and ownership across the organization
Be the proactive guardian of our reporting infrastructure by monitoring dashboard health, identifying broken links or missing data, and resolving issues before they reach the business user
Build the foundation of our team's knowledge by thoughtfully documenting report logic, inputs, assumptions, and calculation notes in accessible Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Empower stakeholders by guiding them to existing "single source of truth" dashboards, minimizing duplicative work and encouraging self-service data discovery
Play a critical role in data integrity by performing essential quality assurance, including reasonableness checks, variance flags, and source reconciliations
Immerse yourself in the analytics ecosystem, rapidly developing a deep understanding of where our data lives, who owns it, and how each tool drives strategic value
Directly support business execution by preparing key metrics, summarizing critical insights, and highlighting potential risks or opportunities for business leaders ahead of pivotal meetings
Learn to balance multiple priorities dynamically using strategic criteria such as business impact, urgency, and effort, while communicating tradeoffs collaboratively
Build trust and credibility across cross-functional teams by providing highly proactive updates, confirming request receipts, and closing the loop with exceptional attention to detail