Senior Category Manager

Boehringer Ingelheim; Ireland; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim is seeking a Senior Category Manager to shape global sourcing strategies for clinical development services. You will manage a worldwide category, centralised governance, and drive supplier performance with internal partners across cross‑functional teams.

The role emphasizes relationship management, market analysis, and negotiation to improve speed, cost efficiency and outcome quality in outsourced trials. Remote position with periodic travel to key hubs.

Qualifications

• Experience in procuring services within a pharmaceutical or CRO and in a global sourcing context.
• Strong experience in sourcing and operations related to early clinical trials is required.
• Knowledge of market intelligence and sourcing practices related to Clinical Development services is an advantage; experience with fully outsourced trials is considered an additional asset.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Shape sourcing strategies for global clinical development and supplier governance.
• Own a worldwide category with centralised management and drive improvements in speed, cost efficiency and value.
• Manage global supplier relationships and enforce governance aligning with industry standards.
• Develop and strengthen external partnerships while monitoring market for best-fit suppliers.
• Identify new partners and solutions, assess risks, and manage contracting with partners.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement advanced methods and upskill sourcing colleagues.

Skills

Global sourcing

Supplier management

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Risk management

Cross-functional teamwork

English communication

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 within a pharmaceutical or CRO and in a global sourcing context.
• Strong experience in sourcing and operations related to early clinical trials is required.
• Knowledge of market intelligence and sourcing practices related to Clinical Development services is an advantage; experience with fully outsourced trials is considered an additional asset.
• 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.

WHY THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

Boehringer Ingelheim has been recognised as a Top Employer in the UK, demonstrating our commitment to building an exceptional workplace through strong people practices and supportive HR policies.

To learn more about why BI is a great place to work, visit:

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.