October 9, 2025- When people think of healthcare, they often picture doctors, nurses, and frontline caregivers. But behind every patient interaction is an unseen network of supply chain professionals ensuring critical products are there when they’re needed most. For Heather Kolenik, Senior Manager of Inventory Management and Large Customer Supply Strategy at Henry Schein, that behind-the-scenes work is her passion – and her purpose.
Kolenik’s journey began 30 years ago, when she joined Henry Schein as an expediter on the Inventory Management team. At the time, healthcare largely centered on supporting small-office practitioners. “I’ve held many roles within Inventory Management over the years, and as the industry shifted from small-office practitioners to the IDN space, I recognized the critical need for strategic support – one that my background uniquely positioned me to fulfill,” she said.
Today, Kolenik leads the strategy that ensures Henry Schein delivers optimal fill rates for large customers. Her days are anything but typical. One moment, she’s collaborating with sales teams to understand unique inventory demands. The next, she’s preparing inventory levels for a major customer implementation, or analyzing opportunities to improve fill rates for critical accounts. Kolenik balances the technical with the human, never losing sight of the patients who depend on the products her team helps deliver.