Job Description

JOB TITLE: Director, Supply Chain & Distribution

SUPERSEDES: 11/22

FLSA: Exempt

JOB CODE: 0423

ISSUED: 11/2022

REVISED: 03/2026

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

The Director, Supply Chain & Distribution leads the daily operations of supply chain management, ensuring the seamless flow of supplies across the hospital system while promoting efficiency and effective patient care. This role directs and coordinates strategic activities of the hospital supply chain management, applying progressive supply chain strategies to drive operational efficiencies in distribution, inventory management, expense analysis, and cost containment while ensuring standards are met for product quality levels, vendor service, and customer service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Direct the daily operations of the supply chain in designated areas to ensure the hospital's distribution network is streamlined, responsive, and capable of supporting dynamic clinical needs. Optimize warehouse and distribution operations for the timely and accurate delivery of supplies.

Serve as a key contributor to enterprise-wide supply chain strategic planning, integrating distribution operations into broader system growth, disaster recovery, and continuity-of-care initiatives.

Establish and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to track supply chain effectiveness and drive continuous improvement. Implement best practices in demand planning, inventory forecasting, and just-in-time supply chain methodologies to mitigate shortages and overstock issues. Identify cost-saving opportunities.

Work collaboratively with clinical staff and supply chain leadership to develop and maintain programs, processes, and procedures designed to ensure compliance of service delivery standards and alignment between supply chain strategy and patient care priorities. Review and improve standards on an ongoing basis.

Serve as a liaison between distribution operations and clinical service lines to ensure alignment of periodic automatic replacement (PAR) levels, unit-based stocking models, and clinical utilization needs.

Co-lead value delivery teams focused on clinical engagement in supply chain workflows, such as surgical pack optimization or lab courier turnaround times.

Lead multi-campus supply resiliency planning, including scenario modeling, surge readiness, and continuity protocols for emergencies, pandemics, or supply chain disruptions.

Establish, develop, and grow strategic supplier relationships to further strengthen supply chain functions.

Ensure appropriate inventory levels are maintained and communicate with

customers regarding stocking, ordering, and deliveries.

Develop and maintain predictive analytics tools for real-time inventory optimization, route efficiency, and staffing modeling across warehouse and courier operations.

Lead implementation of distribution-focused KPIs and operational dashboards for executive reporting, using business intelligence (BI) tools such as Tableau or Power BI.

Maintain current knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures to ensure safe, ethical, and professional operations.

Champion the deployment of automation solutions (e.g., automated picking, RFID, robotics) to streamline warehouse, receiving, and BlueBin replenishment workflows.

Act as business owner for logistics-related system implementations or enhancements (e.g., transportation/warehouse management systems, barcode systems, courier route optimization software).

Conduct inspections of hospital facilities to ensure uninterrupted flow of supplies to departments and compliance with established policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

Provide professional support to supply chain leadership. Serve as a resource to enhance revenue, achieve optimal utilization, and reduce costs.

Create an atmosphere for high employee engagement through effective hiring, coaching, and communication. Direct and evaluate staff in the attainment of performance standards, offering guidance on ways to improve and develop. Provide training on supply chain-related functions, including customer service and efficient, productive methods for completing tasks. Introduce opportunities for cross-training and provide support for career path exploration and career planning.

Lead a culture of safety through proactive risk mitigation and continuous quality improvement, taking measures to routinely evaluate regulatory readiness. Monitor and analyze safety and performance metrics to identify trends and implement corrective actions for staff and/or patients as appropriate.

Oversee the development, coordination, and maintenance of daily staffing schedules to ensure the appropriate level of coverage and continuity of care across units.

Direct the implementation and oversight of MU Health Care time and attendance policies and practices.

May complete unit/department-specific duties as outlined in department documents.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Ability to lead diverse teams and foster positive culture change.

Ability to think strategically, communicate direction and strategies effectively, and drive continuous improvement by addressing operational gaps to achieve departmental and organizational goals.

Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to build consensus and influence key stakeholders.

Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and meet strict deadlines.

Ability to understand departmental budgets and key financial and statistical activity reports.

Ability to manipulate and organize large data sets and interpret implications for the health care system.

Experience with enterprise resource planning systems (preferably PeopleSoft) or other supply chain information systems software and intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite.

Applies broad clinical and administrative knowledge to align departmental strategy with health system goals and patient outcomes.

Leads managers and supervisors to foster accountability, develop talent, and ensure high performance across service areas.

Drives operational efficiency through advanced planning, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement across internal and external initiatives.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Supervision is received from the Executive Director, Supply Chain.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision is exercised over distribution, logistic, courier, receiving, and Blue Bin staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, materials management, economics, healthcare administration, or a related field.

Master's degree in business administration, finance, materials management, economics, healthcare administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities can be acquired.

Seven (7) years of progressively responsible supply chain experience, preferably within a healthcare setting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Eight (8) years of leadership experience in healthcare.

Warehouse, shipping and receiving experience.

Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM) or Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) certification.

Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. The employee may be required ambulate, remain in a stationary position and position self to reach and/or move objects above the shoulders and below the knees. The employee may be required to move objects up to 10 lbs.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

This position is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job; however, completion of these duties is a measure of successful performance. Employees of this job classification are subject to performance reviews. Basic functions, responsibilities and characteristics duties may change at any time with or without notice.

SAFETY SENSITIVE STATUS

This position is considered safety sensitive.

This document is a general description of typical job duties, responsibilities and qualifications of employees holding the associated job title. Additional duties, specific qualifications and work emphasis may vary between individual positions.