Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement – API and Third Party Manufacturing

About the role

The Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement â API and Third Party Manufacturing is a global leadership role responsible for setting and executing category strategy across all TPM categories. This position owns end-to-end category management and portfolio execution for TPM spend, ensuring speed, rigor, and scalability while enabling efficient delivery, operational continuity, and business growth.

As a key member of the Enterprise Procurement leadership team, this role serves as the single point of accountability for all TPM categories, partnering closely with TPM leaders, the Chief Procurement Officer, Procurement Leadership (R&D, Corporate, Commercial), and cross-functional stakeholders. The Senior Director leads a global team of category professionals and plays a central role in transforming procurement into a best-in-class organization—driving value, simplifying execution, and building durable capabilities that support both near-term portfolio needs and long-term growth.

Success in this role requires deep category expertise in TPM, a strong bias for collaborative and strategic action, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment where speed and quality of execution matter equally.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of accountability to the VP of Operations Procurement and the CPO for all TPM categories.
• Own and lead global category strategies that balance speed of execution, risk management, value creation, and long-term scalability.
• Ensure category strategies are directly aligned to TPM business priorities and roadmap, enabling timely delivery of programs across development and operational stages.
• Provide procurement oversight and execution leadership for the TPM portfolio, ensuring priorities are clear and resources are deployed where they matter most.
• Lead the development and execution of robust Category Management Plans that deliver measurable value, synergies, and operational efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement across people, process, governance, systems integration, and reporting.
• Translate complex analysis into clear strategic insights, financial impact, and executive-ready recommendations.
• Maintain P&L accountability for the portfolio, including budget management, value delivery, and financial performance tracking.
• Act as a trusted thought partner to TPM leadership, ensuring procurement strategies anticipate business needs and enable innovation and continuity rather than constrain it.
• Proactively solicit feedback from internal customers and address gaps in service, execution, or alignment.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships grounded in transparency, accountability, and enterprise-first decision making.
• Lead, coach, and develop a global team of category managers, building deep capability and a strong succession pipeline.
• Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture that encourages ownership, learning, collaboration, and constructive challenge.
• Play a visible leadership role in transforming TPM Procurement; simplifying how work gets done, strengthening governance, and raising the bar on performance and professionalism.
• Provide thought leadership, insights, and trends into advancements in TPM, digital transformation, and operational excellence.
• Champion AbbVie's Ways We Work by modeling open dialogue, decisive leadership, adaptability, and accountability.

Requirements

• 12+ years of strategic sourcing and procurement experience; 5+ years in pharmaceutical or life sciences preferred or similar fast-paced industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in TPM procurement.
• Proven experience leading teams and complex category portfolios.
• Bachelor's degree required; background in science, business, finance, supply chain, engineering, or related field preferred.
• MBA or relevant MS / PhD degree strongly preferred.
• Professional certification in procurement, supply chain, or Six Sigma desirable.
• Experience with procurement systems such as Coupa, SAP and Ariba preferred.
• Strong understanding of procurement best practices and contract law; understanding of global complexities preferred.
• Prior experience with transformation initiatives and change management.

Qualifications

• Strategic thinker with a strong execution mindset and bias toward action.
• Exceptional communicator and influencer across functions, levels, and geographies.
• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, make timely decisions, and adapt plans as priorities evolve.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to quantify and communicate value.
• Culturally agile leader who values inclusion and thrives in a global organization.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and execution.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and alignment.
• Leadership and coaching skills.
• People management and development.
• Financial acumen and budget management.
• Collaborative problem-solving and innovation.
• Global perspective and cultural agility.

Benefits

AbbVie offers a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and a 401(k) plan to eligible employees.

Pay

Pay Range: $206,500 - $393,000 USD

Schedule

Role is primarily site- or office-based but can occasionally be performed remotely. Employees who are site/office-based and can occasionally perform their role virtually work both in the office and remotely, following the policies and regulations in place at their location. US Employees must be in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Three days in the office is the minimum; some individuals or teams may require more in-office days due to meetings, business/project needs or their role.