Senior Category Lead (Associate Project Director)

Novo Nordisk; Taastrup; On-site; DKK 847,000 - 1,245,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking a Senior Category Lead to own a high-impact device platform category within Global Strategic Outsourcing & Devices. You will shape external partnerships, drive strategic supplier selections, and influence commercial decisions at senior levels in a complex pharma/device ecosystem.

The role requires a decade of strategic sourcing experience and an MSc/MBA. Expect international travel and a competitive salary package, with emphasis on long-term value creation for

Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience within strategic sourcing or outsourcing, preferably at a large international pharma, devices, or CMO/CDMO environment
• MSc or MBA in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field
• Proven track record of leading large-scale negotiations, complex contracts, and supplier partnerships, with strong analytical skills and solid business understanding
• Ability to influence decision-making at all levels through clear recommendations, with strong stakeholder management and credibility as a sparring partner
• High learning agility, personal drive, and resilience to operate independently in a dynamic environment
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to coach and develop others
• English fluency

Responsibilities

• Developing and executing category strategies for outsourced device platforms
• Leading negotiations and supplier selections
• Gaining deep insights into the CM market and Novo Nordisk business
• Building strong, strategic relationships with CMs to enable commercial leverage and address long-term supply opportunities and challenges
• Supplier selection for future device platforms and securing time-to-market, cost efficiency, and scalability for innovation projects
• Provide guidance to senior management on strategic matters
• Acting as a senior sparring partner to team colleagues

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiations

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Leadership

Education

MSc/MBA in Supply Chain Management

Job description

Are you ready to take ownership of a strategically important category representing more than +1 billion DKK in external spend—and shape how Novo Nordisk sources the devices that millions of patients rely on every day? If you thrive in complex, ambiguous environments and want to drive commercial and strategic decisions that go well beyond a single contract, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.

Your new role

As Senior Category Lead, you will drive the strategic agenda for a device platform category, shaping how we select and operate external partners ensuring competitiveness of a network of contract manufacturers (CMs).

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Developing and executing category strategies for outsourced device platforms
• Leading negotiations and supplier selections
• Gaining deep insights into the CM market and Novo Nordisk business
• Building strong, strategic relationships with CMs to enable commercial leverage and address long-term supply opportunities and challenges
• Supplier selection for future device platforms and securing time-to-market, cost efficiency, and scalability for innovation projects
• Provide guidance to senior management on strategic matters
• Acting as a senior sparring partner to team colleagues

Travel of approximately 10–20 days per year should be expected.

Your new department

In Global Manufacturing & Supply, we cover the full value chain—from drug and device development to marketed Novo Nordisk products. We are over 30,000 colleagues across the globe with the shared responsibility of scaling molecules, processes, devices, and products—dedicated to supplying life-saving medicines to the patients who need them most.

You will be joining the Devices & Needles team in Global Strategic Outsourcing & Devices (GSOD). We are a group of 14 colleagues responsible for the strategic and commercial framework related to external device manufacturing. The team is accountable for the global external, device spend and sits at the heart of decisions of category strategy and contracting for the pens and devices patients use every day.

Your Skills & Qualifications

We are looking for a senior, commercially sharp profile who can step into a complex environment and hit the ground running. You bring maturity, robustness, and the ability to navigate ambiguity, and you are energised by working cross-functionally. Specifically, you bring:

• At least 10 years’ experience within strategic sourcing or outsourcing, preferably gained at a large international company within pharma, devices, or CMO/CDMO environments
• An M.Sc. or MBA in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field
• A proven track record of leading large-scale negotiations, complex contracts, and supplier partnerships, with strong analytical skills and solid business understanding
• The ability to influence decision-making at all levels through clear recommendations, combined with strong stakeholder management and the credibility to become a trusted sparring partner
• High learning agility, personal drive, and resilience to operate independently in a dynamic environment without needing fully defined frames
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to coach and develop others
• English fluency

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity, and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health—one where diverse thinking, shared purpose, and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you’re becoming part of a story that spans generations.

What We Offer

At Novo Nordisk, you’ll join a global healthcare company with a unique culture and strong results. We offer continuous learning, career development, and benefits tailored to your life and career stage.

Salary: For this role, the Annual Base Salary ranges from 847,000 DKK to 1,245,100, corresponding to the level of the position.

The placement within the salary range will be assessed during the recruitment process based on the candidate’s skills, competencies, knowledge, and relevant experience.

Incentives and Benefits: The salary package may include short-term and/or long-term incentives as well as other employee benefits based on position level, location, functional area and relevant market benchmarks.

Learn more about our Reward Philosophy here.

More information

For more information about the position, you are welcome to reach out to Director Mark Carstens on phone [phone].

Deadline

10 September 2026.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.