Sr. Analyst, Materials Management

Cardinal Health•Jacksonville, TX

About The Position

What Materials Management contributes to Cardinal Health Operations is responsible for materials handling and product distribution in a distribution or manufacturing environment. Includes warehousing and fulfillment of materials and products, transportation, inventory management as well as demand, supply and manufacturing planning. Materials Management is responsible for the management of material inventory levels to ensure that raw material components and manufactured products are available when needed to satisfy the plant and customer requirements. Responsibilities include the planning and procurement of material components to minimize obsolescence and overstock situations while achieving maximum customer service levels. The Senior Analyst, Materials Management, plays a critical role in optimizing the flow of materials, ensuring inventory accuracy, and supporting efficient production operations while adhering to quality and safety standards. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, strong analytical skills, and effective cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

2-4 years of experience, preferred
Bachelor's degree in related field, or equivalent work experience, preferred
Applies working knowledge in the application of concepts, principles and technical capabilities to perform varied tasks
Works on projects of moderate scope and complexity
Identifies possible solutions to a variety of technical problems and takes action to resolve
Applies judgment within defined parameters
Receives general guidance and may receive more detailed instruction on new projects
Work reviewed for sound reasoning and accuracy

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Procurement Develop and execute raw material procurement strategies, optimizing cost efficiency, inventory levels, and continuity of supply Utilize Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., AS400, PRMS) for efficient and effective raw material purchasing, including issuing forecasts to suppliers and managing Kanban programs Proactively identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks, collaborating closely with Sourcing, Production Planning, Operations, Research & Development (R&D), Quality, and Operational Excellence (OPEX) teams Participate in strategic projects and initiatives focused on supply chain improvements and cost reductions Procure necessary goods and services by identifying needs, researching products, evaluating vendors, and negotiating prices and terms
Inventory Management & Optimization Manage and control inventory costs, striving to achieve and exceed backorder and product availability goals Oversee and optimize on-hand inventory operations, including monitoring stock levels, initiating reorders, and performing physical inventories to ensure accuracy Lead efforts to resolve inventory discrepancies, including assisting Cycle Counters and Process Engineers in troubleshooting Material Usage Variance (MUV) and cycle count losses or gains Ensure high count accuracy for silo materials and other inventory parts through systematic verification processes, which include Interpreting automated sensor readings (e.g., Binmaster), understanding their inherent limitations, and performing consistent manual checks (e.g., laser scanner and visual check) Reconciling automated and manual readings, investigating significant variances (e.g., greater than +/- 5% of total material) by analyzing production data (PRMS, Vorne), material characteristics (e.g., bulk density, compaction), and sensor performance Documenting investigation findings and providing data-driven explanations for material swings Implementing and maintaining transactional discipline, clear material identification, and proper segregation of non-conforming or contaminated materials.
Data Analysis & System Integrity Ensure the accuracy and integrity of Bill of Material (BOM) information, Router, and Item Master data within ERP systems (e.g., BPCS, PRMS), collaborating with Agile and Process Engineers Maintain accurate raw material pricing within ERP systems Generate and analyze reports for manufacturing, vendors, and special projects, providing actionable insights for decision-making Ensure appropriate invoicing and payables transactions with suppliers Ensure proper maintenance of ERP system procurement parameters.
Cross-functional Collaboration & Communication Collaborate with manufacturing teams to develop achievable master production schedules that meet net requirements and support efficient production Coordinate raw material and product changes to minimize inventory obsolescence and meet business objectives Communicate clearly and effectively with Corporate Planners and Logistics on escalated issues and critical supply chain matters Address and resolve complaints and issues related to vendors, shipments, invoices, and product discrepancies Liaise with Maintenance planners to provide updates on parts on order, ensuring timely delivery to appropriate departments.
Compliance & Process Improvement Ensure strict adherence to all safety precautions, regulations, and current plant policies and procedures, actively reporting any safety hazards or potential unsafe working conditions Oversee and ensure compliance with established procedures for the receipt of incoming materials, including checking freight bills, handling discrepancies (quantity, damage, contamination), notifying purchasing of refusals, inspecting containers, and ensuring proper PRMS/Receiving Memo processing and Quality Assurance (QA) disposition Monitor and ensure compliance with raw material inspection procedures, including sampling, acceptance guidelines, disposition, and comprehensive documentation (Raw Material History Records - RMHRs) Ensure the accurate identification and traceability of resins and color concentrates throughout storage, use, and reuse, in accordance with established protocols (e.g., logbooks, source tags, material placards) Contribute to the continuous improvement of materials management processes, identifying opportunities for efficiency, accuracy, and compliance enhancements.