Jobs and Careers
AB

Manager, External Supply

AbbVie
North Chicago, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 23 Apr 2026

About the role

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, FacebookInstagramX and YouTube.

Job Description

​​The External Supply Manager is responsible for managing assigned supplier relationships in support of AbbVie’s manufacturing network. The role partners cross-functionally to monitor supplier performance, drive assurance of supply (AoS) activities, coordinate operational activities, and help ensure quality, compliance, and service requirements are met. The External Supply Manager works closely with Procurement, Quality, Planning, Science & Technology, Operations, and Site Stakeholders to support supplier performance management, business reviews, issue resolution, supplier onboarding, and continuous improvement initiatives.​  

Responsibilities: 

  • ​Establish and maintain effective, mutually beneficial relationships with assigned 1-3 suppliers in support of AbbVie’s business and operational objectives 

  • ​Partner cross-functionally with Procurement, Quality, Planning, Science & Technology, Operations, and site stakeholders to address supplier performance and operational issues. 

  • ​Maintain and communicate supplier KPIs, performance metrics, and action plans for assigned suppliers. 

  • ​Coordinate and lead supplier business reviews and operational review meetings and track follow-up actions to completion and ensure effective and timely communication with internal stakeholders and external supplier partners. 

  • ​Lead Assurance of Supply (AoS) activities for assigned suppliers, including forecast alignment, capacity planning, risk identification, and mitigation actions. 

  • ​Manage routine supply, service, and quality escalations with suppliers and internal stakeholders to support timely resolution. 

  • ​Support due diligence, qualification, and implementation activities for new materials and change notifications, as applicable. 

  • ​Drive and support continuous improvement, productivity, and cost improvement initiatives with assigned suppliers; support the drafting, issuance, and collation of Requests for Proposal (RFPs/RFx), as needed. 

  • ​Represent the External Supply function in cross-functional meetings and maintain effective communication with internal and external partners; support financial processes related to supplier management activities, including development and maintenance of project and operational budgets.​ 

Qualifications

​​Required Qualifications: 

  • ​Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business, Science, or a related field required; master’s degree or MBA preferred. 

  • ​7+ years of relevant experience in supply chain, external manufacturing, procurement, supplier management, operations, or a related function. 

  • ​Demonstrated experience working effectively in cross-functional teams to manage supplier performance and operational priorities. 

  • ​Working knowledge of supplier performance metrics, capacity planning, forecasting, and assurance of supply principles. 

  • ​Strong verbal and written communication, project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills. 

  • ​Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required by business needs. 

​ 

​Preferred Qualifications 

  • ​Experience managing raw material external suppliers’ relationships in regulated industries. 

  • ​Experience operating in a regulated environment and supporting quality and technical requirements, including cGMP requirements, as applicable. 

  • ​Experience facilitating supplier business reviews and driving performance improvement initiatives. 

  • ​Familiarity with ERP (SAP) supplier quality system

Apply for this role

Generate a tailored application kit with a matched cover letter, interview prep, and CV highlights — in under 60 seconds.

Apply Now →Generate Application Kit

Free account required — sign up in 30s

Company

AbbVie

View company profile →