Associate Director, Category Management (R&D Services)
- North Chicago, IL
- Permanent
- Full-time
The Associate Director, Category Management partners with VP-level business or functional stakeholder(s) to develop global procurement strategies, contributing to a cross-functional team that informs strategy through analysis, market expertise, and understanding of broader business objectives. This role will primarily be responsible for developing and executing category strategies for R&D related services across Discovery Research, Pre-Clinical Sciences and Development.Responsibilities
- Partner with VP-level business or functional stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies for an individual procurement category, acting as a Business Partner where necessary.
- Build a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the relevant category, incorporating category strategies that align with overall business goals.
- Contribute to a cross-functional team that informs strategic decision-making by leveraging market intelligence, staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics.
- Define and develop 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.
- Integrate sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures into category strategies, collaborating with suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices.
- Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies, driving innovation with key category suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting-edge solutions that deliver on long-term business needs.
- Develop and activate mitigation strategies to proactively define and manage procurement risk across the relevant category, , ensuring compliance.
- Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, directing and guiding cross-functional teams to deliver strategic category-related projects. Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long-term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives.
- Drive the end-to-end procurement process from sourcing strategy to contract negotiation and execution, leading negotiations with key category suppliers and strengthening decisions with strong analytical insight and strategic perspective.
- Develop ambitious performance targets, providing tailored coaching, and evaluating team performance. Assist in planning to address skillsets, workforce requirements, capability needs, and long-term organizational staffing goals.
- 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 leading category teams, developing category strategies, partnering with major suppliers, and reporting to senior leaders.
- Strong proficiency in developing high-impact executive-level deliverables.
- Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is strongly preferred.
- Comprehensive expertise in category management, including market analysis, cost and financial assessment, ensuring strategic and informed procurement decisions. Fluency in negotiation and bidding, adept in overseeing complex projects with a focus on effective change management.
- Strong capabilities in internal stakeholder management and influence, aligning procurement strategies with business needs and fostering collaborative supplier relationships.
- Strategic thinking and accountability, anticipating future trends, and taking responsibility for impactful procurement outcomes that challenge the status quo.
- Innovative problem-solving skills combined with a significant executive presence, enabling creative solutions and influential communication at all organizational levels. High cross-functional leadership abilities, conflict resolution skills, effectively navigating & harmonizing diverse team dynamics.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship-building across a matrixed organization. High resilience under pressure and autonomous work ethic, maintaining performance in challenging situations and making independent decisions.