Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement – Technology and AI

About the role

The Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement – Technology and AI is a global leadership role responsible for establishing, aligning, and executing procurement best practices across category strategy, category management, contract management, vendor management, and risk management. This position owns end-to-end category management and portfolio execution for Technology spend, ensuring speed, rigor, and scalability while enabling scientific innovation across all of technology, inclusive of AI and emerging platforms.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of accountability to the VP of EFC Procurement and the CPO for all Technology 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 the Technology portfolio and roadmap, enabling timely delivery of programs across development stages.
• Provide procurement oversight and execution leadership for the Technology 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 with timely actions.
• Drive continuous improvement across people, process, governance, systems integration, and reporting.
• Translate complex analysis into clear strategic insights, financial impact, and executive-ready recommendations.
• Chart the course and drive strategic roadmap, timing, details, value, and overall delivery of outcomes.
• Drive and own the most complex programs/projects while delivering a player/coach and
• Apply depth of category knowledge, supply markets, external benchmarks, projects, and team dynamics for proper awareness through action optimizations.
• Leverage cross-functional relationships, vendor landscapes, and technology to optimize the Enterprise portfolios.
• Maintain P&L accountability for the portfolio, including budget management, value delivery, and financial performance tracking.
• Act as a trusted thought partner to Technology leadership, ensuring procurement strategies anticipate scientific needs and enable innovation rather than constrain it.
• Drive Business relationships and influence with a collaborative and challenger business partnering model.
• 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 Technology 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 technology, AI and digital transformation.
• Champion AbbVie’s Ways We Work by modeling open dialogue, decisive leadership, adaptability, and accountability.
• 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

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; background in science, business, finance, supply chain, engineering, or related field preferred
• MBA or relevant MS / PhD degree strongly preferred
• 12+ years of strategic sourcing and procurement experience; 5+ years in pharmaceutical or life sciences preferred or similar fast paced industries
• Demonstrated expertise in Technology procurement
• Proven experience leading teams and complex category portfolios
• 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, 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