Senior Category Manager

Boehringer Ingelheim; Dublin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim is seeking a Senior Category Manager to shape sourcing strategies for global clinical trials. This remote role requires experience in procurement within the pharmaceutical industry and a master's degree in business administration.

The successful candidate will manage supplier relationships, ensure compliance with industry standards, and enhance sourcing methodologies while working with cross-functional teams. Regular travel to Germany is required for stakeholder interactions.

Qualifications

• Experience in a pharmaceutical or regulated environment.
• Understanding of established sourcing methodologies.
• Ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Shape sourcing strategies for clinical trials.
• Manage supplier relationships and compliance.
• Conduct market analysis and risk management.

Skills

Experience in procuring services or goods

Knowledge of market intelligence

Project management

Strong communication skills in English

Team-oriented mindset

Education

Master’s degree in business administration

Bachelor’s degree with relevant experience

Job description

THE POSITION

Acting globally and working cross‑functionally, the Senior Category Manager plays a key role in shaping sourcing strategies that ensure sustainable, competitive supply and high service quality for our interventional clinical trials. The role combines strategic responsibility for a global category with active supplier management, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement of sourcing approaches.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• You make a significant impact on the success of the Global Sourcing Clinical Development team by applying your strategic strength, persuasiveness and assertiveness. You will be responsible for sourcing activities within global Human Pharma’s clinical services categories.
• You assume responsibility for a worldwide category, managed in a highly centralised manner, by consistently challenging the existing status quo. Identifying enhancements and convincing the upper management to follow new ways of working will be part of your responsibility.
• You act as global supplier manager for core service providers, establishing and enforcing a robust governance system to ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• One of the key aims of this role is to further develop and strengthen relationships with external strategic partners. In parallel, you closely monitor the market and identify suppliers that best fit business needs.
• You continuously observe supply markets, search for new partners, service providers and solutions, while analysing and mitigating risks within the category.
• You manage a high volume of sourcing requests independently and ensure successful negotiation outcomes. Resulting contracts are managed in close alignment with internal business partners.
• You work closely with cross‑functional teams to implement cutting edge methods of working and contribute to improvements in speed, cost efficiency, value generation, use of new technologies and optimisation of buying channels.
• You support the development and upskilling of sourcing colleagues through training and mentorship.

Requirements

• Experience in procuring services or goods, preferably within a pharmaceutical or similarly regulated environment and in a global sourcing context.
• Knowledge of market intelligence and sourcing practices related to Clinical Development services is an advantage.
• Experience with sourcing or supporting services related to early‑stage clinical development, including early clinical trials. Experience with fully outsourced trials is an advantage.
• Good understanding of established sourcing methodologies, including demand management, market and supplier analysis, compliance management, due diligence, risk management, supplier management, contract management and negotiation techniques.
• Extensive experience in working on international projects and collaborating with cross‑functional teams consisting of internal and external partners.
• A master’s degree in business administration or an equivalent professional qualification; candidates with a bachelor’s degree combined with relevant professional experience will also be considered.
• Open‑minded, motivated and persuasive approach, combined with strong internal and external relationship management skills and willingness to take on responsibility.
• Team‑oriented mindset with the ability to work collaboratively in diverse, cross‑functional and international teams.
• Strong communication skills in English; German language skills are an advantage.

Please note: This is a fully remote position, open to candidates based anywhere in the UK or Ireland. Occasional business travel to Germany is required several times per year to support key stakeholder interactions and strategic sourcing activities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to a person’s actual or perceived race, including natural hairstyles, hair texture and protective hairstyles; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; citizenship status, marital status; gender, gender identity or expression; sexual orientation, mental, physical or intellectual disability, veteran status; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law.