Category Manager, Direct Materials - Raw Materials for Drug Development & Manufacturing

Scope & Responsibilities

• Stakeholder Relationship Management:
• Work closely with all related internal functions including Engineering, Manufacturing, TDS, Quality, Compliance, and Regulatory Affairs to plan, manage, and execute cross-functional sourcing and category initiatives.
• Translate stakeholder requirements into sourcing and execution activities in alignment with category strategies, including defining scope, timelines, deliverables, and interdependencies.
• Support issue resolution and escalation related to supplier performance, quality, or delivery and coordinate actions across functions to ensure timely resolution.
• Category Strategy:
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of supplier capabilities, capacity, and overall financial stability to effectively differentiate suppliers, in both current and future states, and support preferred supplier selection.
• Utilize spend analytic and market intelligence tools to identify innovation and efficiency opportunities which optimize total cost of ownership, drive cost savings, and mitigate risk.
• Work in collaboration with key business functions to plan, manage, and execute cross-functional projects within a multi-year value creation project pipeline, tracking progress, risks, and milestones.
• Contracting:
• In partnership with Legal and Senior Category Managers, negotiate supplier contracts which meet stakeholder and business needs.
• Ensure contracts are robust and comprehensive.
• Effectively manage contracts to ensure compliance and value extraction.
• Supplier Lifecycle Management:
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Support supplier onboarding, performance monitoring, and ongoing supplier relationship management activities.
• Prepare materials and analysis for supplier business reviews and performance discussions, including action plans, owners, and follow-up timelines.
• Track supplier performance metrics, value realization, and risk indicators, supporting cross-functional improvement initiatives where gaps are identified.
• Quality Management Systems:
• Support and enable the change management processes including Change Records, Impact Assessments, and other records, within Veeva.
• Support pre-audit information requests.
• Ensures CRs, Investigations, and Deviations are closed on time.
• Support Approved Supplier List (ASL) data configuration and administration.
• Others:
• Manage high data integrity across procurement and quality systems (PowerBI, SharePoint Lists, Veeva, GEP Smart, Ariba, SAP, etc.)
• Effectively execute the sourcing process (RFx events) for goods and services, including response evaluation, selection, and contracting.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization in the enhancement of functional processes and systems.
• Support Ariba punchout catalog and PO administration.
• Support execution of business processes and policy compliance.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, life sciences, finance, supply chain, or related discipline.
• 6+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or related roles, with at least 1-3 years in biotech, regulated medical devices, or life sciences industry.
• Foundational understanding of procurement processes, including sourcing, contracting, and supplier management.
• Basic understanding of lab and GMP manufacturing processes, regulations, and the change management process.
• Strong project management, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Able to develop solutions to complex problems and ensure solutions are consistent with organizational objectives.
• Able to work effectively in cross-functional and global team environments.

Preferred

• Experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with procurement, QMS, and MRP systems (Ariba, Veeva, SAP preferred).
• Demonstrated interest in developing a long-term career in category management and procurement leadership.
• Experience managing or coordinating cross-functional projects, including tracking milestones, risks, and deliverables.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification a plus.
• Domestic and international travel