October 9, 2025- A career in the medical device supply chain is fast-paced and dynamic, requiring professionals to quickly adapt to changing demands.
As the Senior Director of Operations at NDC, Inc., Michael Price’s knows this well. His role is to understand where people need to be in the warehouse, what resources are essential and how the company can meet each one of its commitments before the day ends.
Price’s primary focus is in support of the NDC’s mission to be a trusted partner in efficient healthcare delivery by managing an effective supply of products and equipment.
“This business is niche, and no one else does what we do at the scale we do it, which means there’s no playbook to follow – we’ve built our own, and we improve it every day,” said Price.
With a large volume of orders to fulfill each day, keeping the supply chain running smoothly means always knowing how to be resilient and adapt as a director.
“Balancing the hundreds of pallets shipped and received daily, with the need for accuracy and timeliness, requires constant coordination,” said Price. “We must be agile enough to flex resources based on the day’s needs while keeping a clear focus on quality.”
“The mindset each day is the same: pivot quickly, solve problems, and get supplies where they’re needed most,” said Price.
(Subhead): No missed commitments
During the height of the pandemic, Price says the supply chain faced daily disruptions, but his team persevered and found creative and innovative ways to keep operations running.
“Our team has faced multiple emergency situations without missing a beat,” said Price. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we fulfilled customer needs every single day – no closures, no missed commitments.”
The distribution site where Price and his team work in Nashville, Tennessee, has also faced two significant snowstorms in the past two years, threatening the site’s ability to carry out daily operations. Price’s team, however, acted quickly before the snow came in both times, and were able to remain open and shipping product despite the bad weather.
The distribution site itself in Nashville is no small operation – is moves millions of pieces and products to NDC members each year, providing healthcare organizations with critical medical supplies daily.
“Behind the scenes, our shipping volume requires constant ‘dive and catch’ moments to meet urgent needs, a level of teamwork that extends far beyond one person and a deep commitment to making sure no order leaves incomplete,” said Price.
(Subhead): Communication and alignment
Managing a successful supply chain all comes down to communication and alignment across teams, says Price.
“From the moment product arrives to the moment it leaves our dock, every function has a clear role and a shared goal: delivering the perfect pallet on time,” said Price. “Daily standups keep us connected, allow us to quickly solve issues and ensure resources are exactly where they need to be.”
Price and his team navigate any challenges by dealing with them head-on, demonstrating a proactive approach to supply chain operations that prioritizes transparency and efficiency.
“When an issue arises, we quickly assess the impact, bring the right people together, and make a plan to resolve it,” said Price. “Strong relationships across teams, and with our partners, mean we can move fast, adjust priorities, and still meet customer expectations.”
Price and his team keep the end-users (the patients and healthcare providers) in mind as motivation throughout the everyday process of distribution work.
“Every product that leaves our building is destined to help someone. That awareness drives our commitment to accuracy, speed, and quality,” said Price. “We know we’re not just moving pallets; we’re making a difference in the healthcare supply chain, and ultimately in people’s lives.”
(Subhead): The tools for success
Today, Price is responsible for 113 families – NDC’s associates – and ensuring they have the tools, training and environment to succeed.
“I’m proud every time I see our team rise to a challenge. When I started in 2015, the business was very different – departments were siloed, and processes needed alignment,” said Price. “Over the past decade, we’ve worked hard to break down those silos, strengthen collaboration, and double the size of the business in seven years.”
NDC has worked to build a culture in which delivering for the customer is a top priority for each employee. The company’s overall mission is to rely on people, integrity and service to provide a competitive advantage to its partners in the healthcare supply chain.
“We’ve built a culture where delivering for the customer is non-negotiable, and where people take pride in their work because they know the impact it has,” said Price. “Watching the transformation of our operations and the dedication of our people has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”