What you'll do at DBH :

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is seeking an experienced, visionary leader to serve as the Chief of Ohio Pharmacy Services (OPS). This executive-level role oversees all statewide pharmacy operations, including inpatient, outpatient, and wholesale distribution services, and ensures that OPS fulfills its mission to support Ohio's behavioral health system, correctional institutions, youth services, and community partners.

This is a high-impact leadership position responsible for strategic direction, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and the advancement of pharmaceutical services across multiple state agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Statewide Oversight

• Lead all pharmacy and administrative operations for OPS, including Inpatient Pharmacy, Outpatient Pharmacy, and the OPS wholesale distribution warehouse.
• Direct statewide planning, development, and marketing of OPS services in alignment with Ohio Revised Code 5119.44 and the Department's strategic priorities.
• Oversee pharmaceutical distribution and services provided to:
  • DBH regional psychiatric hospitals
  • Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) facilities
  • Department of Youth Services (DYS) facilities
  • Community agencies participating in the DBH Community Medication Program
  • Additional state, county, and local partners

Pharmaceutical Contracting & Supply Chain Management

• Develop and manage the State of Ohio's pharmaceutical contract portfolio.
• Implement purchasing and distribution strategies that ensure cost-effective, compliant, and uninterrupted access to medications statewide.

Operational Excellence & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all OPS operations meet federal and state laws governing pharmacy practice, drug distribution, controlled substances, and pharmaceutical recordkeeping.
• Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and quality standards for inpatient, outpatient, and distribution operations.

Team Leadership & Administrative Management

• Supervise managers of Central Pharmacy Inpatient (CPI), Central Pharmacy Outpatient (CPO), the Pharmacy Service Center (PSC), and all other operations of OPS.
• Oversee budget development, payroll, accounts receivable/payable, and financial performance.
• Review forecasting, cost analyses, financial statements, and cash-flow reports.
• Lead hiring, performance evaluations, leave approvals, and organizational structure recommendations.

Clinical Pharmacy Services & Collaboration

• Collaborate with state agency partners to provide clinical leadership for pharmaceutical services
• Collaborate with physicians and healthcare teams to promote optimal patient outcomes.

Communication, Reporting & Representation

• Prepare and review medical, administrative, and operational reports.
• Represent DBH at meetings, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.
• Respond to inquiries from clinicians, public officials, and the general public.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Deputy Director.

This is an hourly position and is exempt from the bargaining units , with a pay range of 16 on the E1 Exempt Pay Range Schedule . Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (Flexible Schedule).

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Additional Salary / Appointment Information:

Unclassified per ORC 124.11 (A)(9)

Qualifications

Position Qualifications

Completion of undergraduate core program in business administration/management sciences or 12 mos. exp. in program & policy development for operational unit or program of firm or agency & monitoring implementation; 12 mos. trg. in budgeting & spending or 12 mos. exp. determining budgetary needs & spending for operational unit or program of agency or firm; 6 mos. trg. in manpower planning or 6 mos. exp. scheduling personnel for adequate coverage & making staff projections; 3 mos. trg. in employee training & development or 3 mos. exp. writing training materials or conducting training.

Primary Job Skill: Mental Health

Technical Skills: Pharmacy, Regulatory Compliance, Interviewing, Medical Terminology

Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Developing Others, Leading Others, Responsiveness, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution's website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.