What Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) contributes to Cardinal Health
Strategy is responsible for leadership, direction and expertise in the development of business strategy, strategic management disciplines and business analytics that support the company's mission vision and valuation objectives, in close collaboration with business leaders.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) sets enterprise strategies and manages programs to mitigate environmental, social and governance-related risks across the business, and identify opportunities, in collaboration with others across the company. ESG supports enterprise goalsetting by tracking and reporting on progress against the enterprise ESG strategy and goals. ESG manages stakeholder engagement, which includes employees, customers, investors, and others, as it relates to ESG topics.
Job Summary
The leader in this role is responsible for developing and leading strategies to strengthen Cardinal Health's supply chain and to ensure Cardinal Health remains compliant with growing legislation worldwide. This role leads a high-performing team focused on identifying and mitigating environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks across the global supply chain, advancing ESG program maturity, preparing the company for compliance with regulations, and driving supplier engagement to meet our science-based climate target. The Director will work closely with senior leaders across sourcing, legal, regulatory, global trade, and manufacturing operations to ensure ESG considerations are embedded in sourcing decision-making and risk management. This role also plays a key part in shaping ESG communications and stakeholder engagement strategies to enhance internal alignment and external reputation.
This position works collaboratively across the enterprise and with suppliers across the world and requires an experienced and detail-oriented leader who can function independently with diverse stakeholders and manage through influence across levels and functions. This position requires an individual who has experience building and supporting strategies in a matrixed business environment and who operates with a consistent awareness of deadlines and results.
This position manages two direct reports.
Responsbilities
Supplier engagement, due diligence and data
Lead the team in risk-based supplier due diligence and improvement through inherent risk assessment, new supplier screening surveys, EcoVadis scorecard requests, on-site ESG audits, corrective actions to address findings, and targeted online training to improve supplier performance
Develop and lead the supplier environmental engagement strategy which aims to engage 75% of suppliers, by spend, to adopt climate targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Engagement includes supplier relationship building, information collection, training, and identifying opportunities for partnership
Oversee the ongoing development and maintenance of supplier risk and performance data and dashboards to prioritize areas of focus and inform internal stakeholders
Prepare audit-ready data required for Cardinal Health's external reporting, including the annual ESG Report, Global Reporting Index (GRI), and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Index
Strategic Stakeholder Engagement
Build and maintain strong relationships with senior cross-functional leaders, and deliver strategic messaging to leadership across the company to increase visibility and buy-in
Lead the cross-functional working group that is focused on identifying and mitigating ESG-related adverse events in the supply chain to strengthen supplier performance and reduce risk of supply chain disruption
Prepare and deliver reports to executive leadership to inform them of emerging risks, and response to new legislation
Lead the team in reinforcing and advancing their position as trusted advisors for multiple business units
Advance Program Maturity
Advance the program by expanding the scope of due diligence, improving platform integration and data management, advancing supply chain mapping, expanding audits, creating supplier grievance mechanisms, and improving supplier/stakeholder training
Engage internal and external stakeholders to gain new insights to meet the changing landscape of legislation and global strategies, monitor emerging risks, and share best practices
Engage cross-industry peers in the Responsible Glove Alliance (RGA), which Cardinal Health is a founding member of; participate in conferences and industry collaboratives; and collaborate across the industry to improve leverage to remediate risks
ESG Communications
Collaborate with the cross-functional ESG Working Group to develop and execute a comprehensive ESG communications strategy
Identify and deploy communication tactics to upskill key business partners on environmental and social risks in the supply chain
Ensure the team contributes to strengthening general ESG awareness internally and enhancing external positioning to improve brand reputation
Regulatory Monitoring & Response
Monitor global ESG regulatory developments and assess their impact on supply chain operations and corporate obligations
Lead internal activities needed to comply with U.S. Conflict Minerals regulation, UK Modern Slavery Act, Canada Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, and Switzerland Ordinance on Due Diligence and Transparency in relation to Minerals and Metals from Conflict-Affected Areas and Child Labour (Article 964), and prepare required filings
Support Cardinal Health in preparing to comply with coming regulations, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), EU Battery Regulation (EUBR), EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the EU Forced Labor Regulation (FLR)
Partner with government relations, legal, and regulatory to create strategies for timely and effective responses to new country-specific ESG regulations
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of ESG professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation
Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and support professional growth aligned with organizational priorities
Lead the team with empathy and an inclusive mindset
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, Supply Chain, Risk Management, Business, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
12+ years of experience, preferred, with deep experience in ESG, sustainability, sourcing, supply chain or risk management, including 3+ years in a leadership capacity preferred
Familiarity with global supply chain operations and third-party risk management
Strong knowledge of responsible sourcing / ethical trade, ESG frameworks, supplier engagement platforms, ESG data platforms, and regulatory trends
Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior leadership
Excellent communication, analytical, and strategic planning skills
A sophisticated and deep understanding of today's key global ESG issues and landscape, and the roles of the private, nonprofit and public sectors both in the U.S. and abroad
Analytic thinker and ability to problem-solve and balance multiple projects and priorities
Proven ability to inspire, collaborate and manage internal relationships and cultivate partnerships across functions and regions
Demonstrated experience influencing without formal authority to accomplish company-wide goals
Strong business and financial acumen
What is expected of you and others at this level
Provides leadership to managers and experienced professional staff; may also manage front line supervisors
Manages an organizational budget
Develops and implements policies and procedures to achieve organizational goals
Assists in the development of functional strategy
Decisions have an extended impact on work processes, outcomes, and customers
Interacts with internal and/or external leaders, including senior management
Persuades others into agreement in sensitive situations while maintaining positive relationships
Anticipated salary range: $114,200-$203,695
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: 7/18/25 *if interested in opportunity, please submit application as soon as possible.
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 and skills and an evaluation of internal pay equity.
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.
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