Optum is a global organization 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.

The Associate Director, Demand and Supply Planning will report to Sr. Director Sourcing & Procurement 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&OP), 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.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• This individual will be responsible to deploy a new demand forecasting and supplier collaboration system by Q4 of 2024
• Requires a deep knowledge of S&OP process, forecasting systems, inventory planning, and matching demand with supply
• Develops and executes a clear demand planning strategy for the business and manages a high‐performing team charged with all aspects of demand planning
• Partners with the 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
• Ensures the demand planning process is in place to deliver the business plan with operational excellence. Has process ownership building aligned plans for product including life cycle, seasonality, new and lost businesses volume, and new product launches
• Engages business leaders in resolving strategic demand issues through in-depth analysis and marketplace assessment to understand the risk/benefit tradeoffs between various approaches and opportunities
• Act as a key liaison between the executive leadership team and operational teams
• Leads and supports 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&OP 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
• Supplier collaboration process leadership: work 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 the global sites as it relates to SIOP, materials planning, inventory management, and supplier collaboration
• Leads and supports sustainable process improvement by diagnosing complex business problems and providing recommended plans to deliver process improvements through the implementation of Lean Six Sigma Principles
• Direct supervision and best practice training of Demand Planners and Analysts
• Initiates 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
• Develops functional, market level, and/or site strategy, plans, production and/or organizational priorities
• Identifies and resolves technical, operational, and organizational problems outside own team

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications: 

• 5 years of experience in forecasting and supply chain, preferably within healthcare or pharmaceuticals
• 5 years of experience leading people and teams
• 2 years of experience leading a team
• Experience with demand planning software
• Experience in and/or exposure to S&OP, 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: 

• Familiarity with forecasting software platforms
• Advanced level of Excel
• Exceptional analytical and problem solving skills
• Highly collaborative leadership style and excellent facilitations skills
• Ability to lead effectively and handle conflict in cross-functional integration role
• 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

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, or Washington Residents Only: The hourly range for this role is $50.34 to $91.54 per hour. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.