Director, Transportation – First/Middle Mile

Cardinal Health, Inc.; Northern (KY); Remote; USD 107,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Health savings account

401k plan

Paid parental leave

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)

Short- and long-term disability

Work-Life resources

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Cardinal Health, Inc. is seeking a Director of Transportation – First/Middle Mile to provide centralized leadership for U.S. first and middle mile operations across manufacturing sites, replenishment centers, and cross docks.

You will manage a ~20-person team and a ~$200M budget, driving cost efficiency and on-time performance nationwide. You will collaborate with multiple internal teams and carrier partners to optimize network design, implement routing improvements, and advance transportation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in supply chain, logistics, or related field.
• 12+ years in transportation/logistics with leadership in multi-site environments.
• 5+ years in leadership overseeing transportation operations.
• Proven track record managing large budgets (e.g., $100M+) and delivering cost savings.
• Carrier management, contract negotiation, and relationship-building expertise.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate performance metrics and drive improvements.
• Experience with route optimization technologies and TMS.
• Exceptional leadership and collaboration across org levels and with partners.
• Ability to develop and implement transportation policies and regulatory compliance.
• Willingness to travel ~15% domestically.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for U.S. first and middle mile transportation operations across sites.
• Lead and mentor a team of ~20 transportation professionals.
• Own and manage a transportation budget of ~ $200M; drive cost efficiency and on-time performance.
• Drive network optimization initiatives for routing, capacity, and cost-to-serve.
• Ensure transport excellence across national distribution and manufacturing network.
• Lead carrier sourcing, RFPs, contract negotiations, and vendor management.
• Manage 100+ carrier partners; ensure performance and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Distribution, Inventory, Commercial, Systems, and Network Design teams to optimize flow.
• Establish transportation policies, governance standards, and best practices.
• Oversee customer onboarding, network transitions, and carrier integrations.
• Leverage TMS and analytics to improve decision-making.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Carrier management

Contract negotiation

Analytical skills

TMS experience

Strategic thinking

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Logistics

Tools

TMS

Routing software

Job description

Cardinal Health’s Global Medical Products and Distribution (“GMPD”) segment, focuses on U.S. and International Products and Distribution businesses. We offer industry expertise and an expanding portfolio of safe, effective medical products that improve quality, manage costs and reduce complexity. With our trusted regulatory experience, insights, and infrastructure, we help manufacture and source medical products that meet the demand for value-driven, comprehensive healthcare solutions.

The Director, Transportation – First/Middle Mile will provide centralized leadership for all U.S. First & Middle Mile transportation activities, overseeing a significant budget and driving strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. This role is critical in ensuring transportation excellence across our seven Medical Replenishment Centers, in addition to multiple cross docks and Cardinal Health Medical Manufacturing sites, and will involve close collaboration with various internal teams and external carrier partners to shape the future of our network.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all U.S. first and middle mile transportation operations across manufacturing sites, cross docks, and replenishment centers.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of approximately 20 transportation professionals.
• Own and manage a transportation budget of approximately $200M, driving cost efficiency, service excellence, and on-time performance.
• Drive transportation network optimization initiatives focused on routing efficiency, capacity planning, service improvements, and cost-to-serve reduction.
• Ensure transportation excellence and consistency across the national distribution and manufacturing network.
• Lead transportation procurement activities, including carrier sourcing, RFPs, contract negotiations, and vendor management.
• Manage relationships with 100+ commercial carrier partners, ensuring strong performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Distribution, Inventory, Commercial, Marketing, Systems, and Network Design teams to optimize network flow and transportation strategy.
• Establish and enforce transportation policies, governance standards, and operational best practices.
• Oversee customer onboarding, network transitions, and carrier integration initiatives.
• Leverage transportation management systems (TMS), routing technologies, and analytics to improve network performance and decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• 12+ years of progressive experience in transportation and logistics, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing transportation operations in a multi-site environment preferred
• Proven track record of managing large transportation budgets (e.g., $100M+) and delivering on cost-saving and performance improvement targets.
• Demonstrated expertise in carrier management, contract negotiation, and relationship building.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate performance metrics, analyze data, and implement continuous improvements.
• Experience with route optimization technologies and transportation management systems (TMS).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization and with external partners.
• Ability to develop and implement transportation policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute long-term transportation strategies.
• Experience in customer onboarding/offboarding processes and a strong customer-centric approach.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support FDC operations and carrier engagements – Approximately 15% (Domestic)

• Ability to work remotely from home/field requires a dedicated, quiet, private, distraction free environment with access to high-speed internet. We will provide you with the computer, technology and equipment needed to successfully perform your job. You will be responsible for providing high-speed internet & mobile phone()).

Anticipated salary range:

$107,200 - $191,285

*The salary range listed is an estimate. Pay at Cardinal Health is determined by multiple factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s geographical location, relevant education, experience, skills and an evaluation of internal pay equity.

Bonus eligible: Yes

Benefits

Cardinal Health offers a wide variety of benefits and programs to support health and well-being.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Paid time off plan
• Health savings account (HSA)
• 401k savings plan
• Access to wages before pay day with myFlexPay
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Work-Life resources
• Paid parental leave
• Healthy lifestyle programs

Application window anticipated to close:

10/21/2026

Candidates who are back-to-work, people with disabilities, without a college degree, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Cardinal Health supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. Cardinal Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.