Company Description:
CARE Pharmacies Cooperative, Inc. is a growing national pharmacy network that has served communities for more than 66 years. With over 200 pharmacies across the country, the organization combines the personalized service of trusted local pharmacies with the stability and scale of a larger enterprise. CARE Pharmacies is an active member of leading industry associations, including NACDS, NCPA, the Maryland Pharmacists Association, and the D.C. Pharmacy Association, reflecting its commitment to professional excellence. The organization focuses on understanding patients’ unique needs, local community health concerns, and the importance of personalized care, while continuing to innovate and expand its impact. Team members join a professional community united by collaboration and a shared vision for empowering healthier lives.
The opportunity:
CARE Pharmacies Cooperative, Inc. seeks an accomplished, member-focused Chief Executive Officer to lead its next chapter of growth, financial strength and innovation. The CEO will align stakeholders around a clear strategy, strengthen independent pharmacy economics, expand high-value services and partnerships, and serve as a credible voice for community pharmacy. Reporting and Relationships
Reports to:
CARE Board of Directors. Partners closely with member owners, Board leaders, executive management, pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, payers, industry associations, policymakers and other strategic partners.
Work location: Hybrid.
Key Responsibilities:- Set, communicate and deliver a multi-year strategy approved by the Board with measurable outcomes for members and the enterprise.
- Listen to independent pharmacy owners and members, understand their business needs, and translate those needs into effective programs, services and measurable value.
- Own organizational performance, budgets, operating discipline, P&L, capital allocation, risk oversight and transparent reporting to the Board.
- Understand and respond to reimbursement, PBM, pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor dynamics, including purchasing economics, supply-chain performance and pharmacy access.
- Pursue viable growth opportunities in pharmacy services, specialty, clinical offerings, home care and technology where consistent with CARE’s mission and financial capacity.
- Build and strengthen commercial relationships with pharmaceutical wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, payers and industry partners; advocate effectively for pharmacy members.
- Recruit, coach and hold accountable a high-performing leadership team and strengthen culture, compliance and succession planning.
- Serve as CARE’s principal external ambassador while partnering constructively with the Board on governance and decision-making. Desired Outcomes — First Three Years
- A Board-approved strategy with clear milestones, member-value measures and financial outcomes.
- Stronger member engagement, trust, retention and a credible approach to recruiting members.
- Demonstrable progress in member economics, sustainable growth and operating performance.
- Valuable partnerships, advocacy progress and carefully evaluated innovation opportunities.
- A strong leadership bench, clear accountability and disciplined governance reporting. Candidate Qualifications Core Qualifications
- Substantial senior executive leadership experience, ideally including CEO, president, general management or division leadership.
- Demonstrated accountability for meaningful P&L, budgets, margins and measurable organizational growth or transformation.•Strong understanding of independent/community pharmacy, pharmaceutical wholesaling or distribution, healthcare economics, or a closely related sector with credible transferable leadership.
- Proven ability to work constructively with Boards, owners, diverse members and external stakeholders.
- Sound judgment, integrity, communication and strong people leadership. Highly desirable experience
- Leadership experience in independent pharmacy, pharmaceutical wholesaling, pharmacy distribution, pharmacy networks, healthcare services, or other complex member/customer-focused organizations.
- Knowledge of PBMs, reimbursement, pharmaceutical wholesaler contracting, distribution economics, specialty pharmacy and clinical services.
- Effective advocacy and senior relationships with pharmaceutical wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, payers and policymakers.
- Change management, technology-enabled service development and measured innovation.
Leadership Attributes
Strategic but practical; member-focused and approachable; commercially and financially rigorous; a collaborative consensus-builder who can make difficult decisions; persuasive and credible externally; curious, adaptable and accountable.
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should apply through the secure CARE CEO application email: careceosearch@carepharmacies.com. Please submit a résumé/CV and a brief statement of interest. The application deadline is November 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, subject to final approval. All applications will be evaluated using consistent, job-related criteria.
