Pharmacy Category Manager

OptiMed Health Partners; Kalamazoo (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

OptiMed Health Partners in Kalamazoo, MI, seeks a Pharmacy Category Manager to strengthen its competitive position within the specialty pharmacy sector. You will cultivate high‑value partnerships, negotiate contracts, and manage LDD networks to secure timely access to therapies and maintain pricing advantages.

You will lead procurement initiatives, RFP development, and ensure regulatory compliance while collaborating with Finance, Operations, and Clinical teams to support long‑term growth and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field required; PharmD, MBA, or equivalent preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience in specialty pharmacy, pharmaceutical trade relations, or healthcare procurement required.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts with manufacturers, GPOs, or distributors.
• Familiarity with limited distribution drug access programs and specialty pharmacy accreditation requirements (URAC, ACHC, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Vendor and Partner Management — Serve as the primary contact for all trade, manufacturer, and wholesaler relationships.
• Vendor and Partner Management — Negotiate and manage contracts with GPOs, wholesalers, and manufacturers to ensure competitive pricing and optimal service levels.
• Vendor and Partner Management — Maintain awareness of supplier programs, rebates, and compliance requirements.
• Vendor and Partner Management — Ensure alignment between vendor capabilities and OptiMed’s objectives.
• Limited Distribution Drug (LDD) Access — Identify and pursue opportunities to gain access to LDD medications across therapeutic areas.
• Limited Distribution Drug (LDD) Access — Prepare and submit applications or proposals to manufacturers for inclusion in LDD networks.
• Limited Distribution Drug (LDD) Access — Build collaborative relationships with manufacturer account teams and medical affairs departments to position OptiMed as a preferred dispensing partner.
• Procurement and RFP Development — Lead the development and execution of RFPs for key procurement and distribution partnerships.
• Procurement and RFP Development — Draft, review, and negotiate terms and pricing agreements with leadership and legal counsel.
• Procurement and RFP Development — Analyze supplier performance, pricing trends, and market dynamics to inform contracting strategy.
• Strategic and Operational Support — Support the development of trade strategy to improve gross margin and supply resilience.
• Strategic and Operational Support — Collaborate with Finance, Operations, and Clinical teams to ensure vendor agreements meet objectives and compliance.
• Strategic and Operational Support — Advise, support, and analyze to manage drug files supporting long‑term growth.
• Strategic and Operational Support — Maintain accurate records of trade agreements, supplier communications, and contract renewals.
• Compliance and Reporting — Ensure all trade and procurement activities comply with regulations and policies.
• Compliance and Reporting — Monitor and report on vendor performance, rebate structures, and contract deliverables.
• Compliance and Reporting — Support audits related to purchasing and trade functions.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical

Communication

Vendor management

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Business Administration, Supply Chain

PharmD

MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Contract management tools

Job description

Who We Are

OptiMed Health Partners optimizes health outcomes and quality of life through personalized and coordinated care. We have served patients for over 30 years, focusing on high‑quality care in retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and infusion services. The OptiMed Vision reimagines healthcare solutions to achieve unsurpassed value. Our results‑oriented culture fosters learning, provides growth opportunities for employees, and delivers exceptional care to patients across all 50 states.

Job Type

Full‑time

Position

Pharmacy Category Manager

The Impact Of This Role

As Pharmacy Category Manager, you will strengthen OptiMed Health Partners’ competitive position within the specialty pharmacy landscape. By cultivating high‑value partnerships with manufacturers, wholesalers, and GPOs, negotiating strategically, and managing limited distribution drug (LDD) networks, you will directly influence the organization’s ability to secure timely access to critical therapies and maintain sustainable pricing advantages. Your leadership in procurement initiatives, contract optimization, and regulatory compliance will enhance supply chain resilience and gross‑margin performance, supporting OptiMed’s mission to deliver exceptional patient care.

What You’ll Be Doing

Vendor and Partner Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all trade, manufacturer, and wholesaler relationships.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with GPOs, wholesalers, and manufacturers to ensure competitive pricing and optimal service levels.
• Maintain awareness of supplier programs, rebates, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure alignment between vendor capabilities and OptiMed’s operational and clinical objectives.

Limited Distribution Drug (LDD) Access

• Identify and pursue opportunities to gain access to LDD medications across therapeutic areas.
• Prepare and submit applications or proposals to manufacturers for inclusion in LDD networks.
• Build collaborative relationships with manufacturer account teams and medical affairs departments to position OptiMed as a preferred dispensing partner.

Procurement and RFP Development

• Lead the development and execution of RFPs for key procurement and distribution partnerships.
• Draft, review, and negotiate terms and pricing agreements in coordination with OptiMed’s leadership and legal counsel.
• Analyze supplier performance, pricing trends, and market dynamics to inform contracting strategy.

Strategic and Operational Support

• Support the development of trade strategy to improve gross margin performance and supply resilience.
• Collaborate with Finance, Operations, and Clinical teams to ensure vendor agreements meet business objectives and compliance standards.
• Advise, support, and provide analysis to actively manage organization’s drug files that support long‑term growth.
• Maintain accurate records of all trade agreements, supplier communications, and contract renewals.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure all trade and procurement activities comply with federal and state regulations, accreditation standards, and OptiMed policies.
• Monitor and report on vendor performance, rebate structures, and contract deliverables.
• Support internal and external audits related to purchasing and trade functions.

Who You’ll Be Working With

The Pharmacy Category Manager works closely with teams across Procurement, Finance, Operations, Clinical Services, and Legal. The position does not have any direct reports.

Skills And Experience You’ll Bring To The Table

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field required; PharmD, MBA, or equivalent preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience in specialty pharmacy, pharmaceutical trade relations, or healthcare procurement required.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts with manufacturers, GPOs, or distributors.
• Familiarity with limited distribution drug access programs and specialty pharmacy accreditation requirements (URAC, ACHC, etc.).

Competencies You’ll Bring To The Table

• Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to understand and effectively negotiate key legal terms and conditions that support OptiMed’s objectives.
• Proven ability to manage multiple vendor relationships and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of pharmacy operations, specialty distribution channels, and 340B programs (preferred).
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and contract management tools.
• Highly organized, proactive, and capable of working independently or in a team environment.

Work Environment

The work environment offers flexibility, with options for hybrid or remote work based out of Kalamazoo, MI. The role accommodates a part‑time to full‑time schedule and may involve occasional travel for vendor meetings, conferences, or site visits. It’s a collaborative, fast‑paced setting that supports both independent work and cross‑functional interaction. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with disabilities in performing essential job functions.

OptiMed Health Partners provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.