Purpose The Category Manager - Drug Delivery Device leads implementation of category procurement strategy, developed in partnership with Category Directors and VP-level business stakeholders. This role oversees the execution of the end-to-end procurement process, managing a team of Specialists to ensure excellence in all activities and compliance to policy. The Category Manager is responsible for developing team capabilities and assisting leadership in identifying workforce planning needs. NOTE: This is a hybrid role in the North Chicago suburbs (3 days onsite/2 days remote) Responsibilities Partner with Director/VP-level business or functional stakeholders to develop category-specific procurement strategies. Contribute to the development of a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the relevant category, incorporating category strategies that align with overall business goals. Relay insights and market intelligence from team analysis to Directors and Associate Directors to inform strategic decision-making, staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics. Manage strategic value drivers with key category suppliers to secure collaborative partnerships that challenge the status quo to achieve cost savings, optimize processes, and enhance overall procurement value. Manage and monitor supplier performance on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures, working alongside suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices. Enable Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies, driving innovation with key category suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting-edge solutions to deliver on long-term business needs. Implement mitigation strategies to proactively manage procurement risk across the relevant category, overseeing process and policy compliance. Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, managing and driving cross-functional teams to deliver strategic category-related projects. Implement opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long-term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives. Assist with the end-to-end procurement process from sourcing strategy to contract negotiation and execution, enabling negotiations with category suppliers and facilitating decisions by conducting required analysis and preparation. Manage a team of Specialists, monitoring and reporting progress toward performance targets. Identify capability gaps and assist in developing focused action plans to address workforce requirements and team needs.
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt or related field. Master’s degree is preferred. Minimum of 7 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related business or operations function. Previous experience managing teams in a procurement function and leading supplier relationships. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Power Platform). Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is preferred. Specific and tactical expertise in category management, including market analysis, cost and financial assessment, ensuring strategic and informed procurement decisions. Ability to assist in negotiation and bidding, adept in implementing complex projects with a focus on effective change management. Strong capacity and experience building and managing collaborative supplier relationships, aligning procurement activities with business needs. Innovative problem-solving skills combined with a solution-oriented mindset, enabling creative approaches and influential communication at all organizational levels. High cross-functional collaboration abilities and teamwork skills, effectively navigating and coordinating diverse team dynamics. Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship-building across a matrixed organization. Impactful executive functioning abilities and autonomous work ethic, maintaining efficient performance in challenging situations and building consensus in decision-making.
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees. This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. This job i