Associate Director, Category Management - Technology

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

Purpose:

The Associate Director, Category Management - Technology partners with VP-level business andf IT 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 builds an annual strategic plan to achieve ambitious performance targets aligned with organizational goals.  

Responsibilities:

•Partner with VP-level business and IT stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies for the technology category.  Key subcategories include software and technology services.

•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.

• Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging our enterprise Source to Pay and data analytics platforms 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.

•Coach a team of Managers, setting 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.

Qualifications

•Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt or related field. Master’s degree is preferred

•Minimum of 10 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related business or operations function.  Previous experience in technology subcategories (software, IT services, telecom, etc.) is strongly preferred.

•Previous experience leading category teams, 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.

•Proficiency working in enterprise Source to Pay applications is 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.

•Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship-building across a mat