Sourcing Procurement Consultant

This position is National Remote. You'll enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in Minneapolis, Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office for a minimum of four (4) days per week.

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.

This role is responsible for developing accurate demand forecasts for pharmaceutical products, materials and supplies by analyzing historical data, market trends, and collaborating with cross-functional teams including Client Teams, Industry Relations, Finance, and Operations. This is a critical role for ensuring product availability and optimizing inventory levels across the pharmacy supply chain network.

This position is full-time. Employees are required to work our normal business hours of operation 8:00 am to 5:00 pm local time. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime.

This will be on the job training during the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm local time, Monday - Friday.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains effective consensus demand forecasts at a network and pharmacy site specific level based on industry trends and demand patterns ensuring alignment with Client Teams, Industry Relations, Finance and Operations.
• Interprets business concepts to create demand forecasts for new product launches, product phase-outs, and formulary changes.
• Monitors and reports to business leadership on important changes to demand patterns, consensus forecast adjustments and business strategy requirements.
• Analyzes forecast accuracy, identifies root cause of variances, and implements solutions to improve accuracy.
• Proactively guides cross-functional teams through gathering insights, planning and aligning forecast assumptions.
• Partners with Supply Planning to ensure demand signals are translated into effective replenishment plans driving optimal inventory levels.
• Operates with a high degree of autonomy, managing day-to-day responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Serves as a subject matter expert, offering clear and concise explanations on complex or sensitive issues to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides coaching, constructive feedback, and mentorship to peers and junior team members to support their development.
• Creates new business processes, requirements and design solutions that improve forecast accuracy, timely procurement and inventory optimization.

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:

• High School Diploma / GED OR equivalent work experience
• Must be 18 years of age OR older
• 5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, supply chain analytics, or operations preferably in healthcare or pharmaceuticals.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and forecasting tools (e.g., Kinaxis Maestro, SAP IBP, Oracle Demantra, or similar platforms).
• Analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Communication and collaboration skills, with experience working cross-functionally across teams such as Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations.
• Ability to work full-time. Employees are required to work our normal business hours of operation 8:00 am to 5:00 pm local time. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime.

Preferred Qualifications:

• APICS/ASCM certification (e.g., CPIM, CSCP) is a plus.
• Business acumen and the ability to translate data insights into strategic recommendations.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders without direct authority.

Telecommuting Requirements:

• Ability to keep all company sensitive documents secure (if applicable)
• Required to have a dedicated work area established that is separated from other living areas and provides information privacy.
• Must live in a location that can receive a UnitedHealth Group approved high-speed internet connection or leverage an existing high-speed internet service.

Soft Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive results with minimal supervision.
• Experience mentoring or coaching others, providing feedback, and guiding team members through complex challenges.
• Ability to explain complex issues clearly, both verbally and in writing, to stakeholders at various levels.

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

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer 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 us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $71,200 - $127,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

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