Program Manager Vertical Integration at Medline in Northbrook, IL

Program Manager Vertical Integration Location: Northbrook, Illinois Job Summary The Program Manager Vertical Integration will lead the successful launch and operational readiness of new facilities, automation, and Prime Vendor customers. This senior leader will be responsible for orchestrating cross-functional teams, driving strategic alignment, and ensuring seamless integration of operations from initial planning through full-scale production. The ideal candidate brings deep operational expertise, a proven ability to influence at all levels, and a passion for building high-performing teams and systems from the ground up. This role calls for an individual with a high level of ownership to navigate and resolve conflict between competing priorities at each site and drive timely delivery. The role’s scope requires a strong ability to address ambiguity and deliver effective solutions that bridge gaps between teams, processes, and systems. Job Description MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES Startup Leadership: Lead end-to-end planning and execution of startup activities, including readiness planning, ramp-up, and operational handoff. Solve complex problems that pose risk to project delivery and key milestones through deep dives with stakeholder Subject Matter Expert (SME) input. Change Management: Lead change initiatives by developing clear communication plans, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring smooth adoption of new processes, systems, and tools. Anticipate resistance and proactively address concerns to maintain momentum and alignment throughout the organization. Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with Engineering, Facilities, Supply Chain, HR, Regulatory, Sales, and other departments to ensure alignment and readiness across all operational functions. Strategic Influence: Influence senior leaders and peers to drive decision-making, resolve conflicts, and ensure startup goals are prioritized and resourced appropriately.  Demonstrate the ability to assign accountability where needed. Operational Excellence: Establish and implement best practices for safety, quality, productivity, and sustainability during startup phases.  Gain buy-in and support from central operations teams when developing new processes, tools, or training to ensure alignment and scalability across the organization. Team Development: Build and lead high-performing startup teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risk related to startup timelines, resource constraints, and operational dependencies.  Be able to navigate ambiguity, recommend solutions, and drive decision-making amongst stakeholders. Performance Tracking: Define KPIs and success metrics for startup milestones; monitor progress and report regularly to executive leadership. Data Driven Decision Making: Leverage data to derive insights, optimize distribution and operational processes, and make informed decisions.  Develop and implement standardized tools and frameworks that enable consistent, data-backed decision-making across teams and sites. MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS Education Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, engineering or a related field Work Experience 7+ years in Supply Chain Operations.  3+ years of direct leadership experience. Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Deep understanding of healthcare-related distribution and transportation processes Excellent leadership and team management skills, with a track record of leading complex, cross-functional implementations. Ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment across diverse teams Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities Experience leading cross-functional teams Experience using data and metrics to determine and drive improvements Proficiency in Excel for data analysis (Pivot tables, Vlookup) Detail-oriented and highly organized. Ability to adapt to a dynamic startup environment and work well under pressure. Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarify Passion for building systems, teams, and culture from the ground up Ability to manage complex project plans, ensuring clear definition of milestones, dependencies, and deliverables Up to 75% travel required PREFERRED JOB REQUIREMENTS Education MBA or master’s degree in supply chain or related field Certification / Licensure PMP, Lean Green or Black Belt certification a plus. Work Experience Previous experience leading startups of new technology, business, or buildings Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Proficiency in SQL, Tableau, or other data analysis software Stays current with industry trends and emerging technologies to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in healthcare distribution Medline Industries, LP, and its subsidiaries, offer a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization. The anticipated salary range for this position: $116,000.00 - $174,000.00 Annual The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s location, education, experience, skills, and abilities. This role is bonus and/or incentive eligible. Medline will not pay less than the applicable minimum wage or salary threshold. Our benefit package includes health insurance, life and disability, 401(k) contributions, paid time off, etc., for employees working 30 or more hours per week on average. For roles where employees work less than 30 hours per week, benefits include 401(k) contributions, paid time off, as well as access to the Employee Assistance Program, Employee Resource Groups and the Employee Service Corp. For a more comprehensive list of our benefits please click here. We’re dedicated to creating a Medline where everyone feels they belong and can grow their career. We strive to do this by seeking diversity in all forms, acting inclusively, and ensuring that people have tools and resources to perform at their best. Explore our Belonging page here. Medline Industries, LP is an equal opportunity employer. Medline evaluates qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, neurodivergence, protected veteran status, marital or family status, caregiver responsibilities, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.