Director - Category Manager (EXM - LCO/Sterile)

Biopharma Careers; Haarlem; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Reward plans

Flexible working schedules

Health support

Job summary

Teva is seeking an experienced Director-level Category Manager for EXM-LCO/Sterile to lead category strategy, sourcing, and supplier engagements. The role focuses on delivering value across External Manufacturing networks and cross-functional collaboration to optimize procurement outcomes.

The candidate should bring extensive experience in sterile liquids, creams & ointments manufacturing, and strong stakeholder management skills to drive long-term cost reductions and supply chain resilience.

Qualifications

• Experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, or Procurement within pharmaceutical or regulated industries.
• Experience managing External Manufacturing (EXM), CMO/CDMO partnerships, or strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience leading sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, and cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned LCO/Sterile categories and serve as Teva's category SME.
• Develop category strategies aligned with business priorities and supplier capabilities.
• Lead RFx activities, negotiations, and contracts with Strategic Sourcing teams.
• Guide supplier performance management and continuous improvement programs.
• Communicate category plans, risks, and trade-offs to stakeholders.

Skills

Category Management

Strategic Sourcing

Procurement

External Manufacturing

LCO Sterile

Pharmaceutical industry

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

We Are Teva

We’re Teva, a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company, enabled by a world-class generics business. Whether it’s innovating in the fields of neuroscience and immunology or delivering high-quality medicine worldwide, we’re dedicated to addressing patients’ needs now and in the future. Here, you will be part of a high-performing, inclusive culture that values fresh thinking and collaboration. You'll have the room to grow, the flexibility to balance life with work, and the opportunity to better health worldwide, together.

Our Team, Your Impact

The Director – Category Manager EXM-Liquid, Creams & Ointments / Sterile (LCO/Sterile) supports the development and execution of category management across Company’s Externally Manufactured LCO/Sterile network. This role is responsible for owning assigned technologies that all fall under the EXM- LCO/Sterile Category, developing practical category strategies, and working closely with Strategic Sourcing, External Manufacturing, Quality, and other Business stakeholders to deliver strategic procurement outcomes.

Reporting to the Senior Director Procurement – Business Partner & Category Lead, this role plays a critical part in building foundational category management capability, improving supplier engagement, and strengthening procurement’s effectiveness in developing a procurement environment with accountability on defining financial value delivery over a long range plan.

This role is suited for an experienced category professional who is comfortable being hands‑on, operating in ambiguity, and helping establish structure, discipline, and consistency.

How You’ll Spend Your Day

Category Strategy & Planning

• Own assigned LCO/Sterile categories/product technologies and serve as Teva's category SME.
• Develop category strategies aligned with business priorities, manufacturing needs, and supplier capabilities.
• Define and deliver 3-5 year savings and improvement roadmaps leveraging multiple procurement levers.
• Support demand planning, supplier capacity assessments, and sourcing roadmaps to optimize investment and P&L.
• Maintain category strategies, action plans, and reporting.

Sourcing & Execution

• Partner with Strategic Sourcing to execute RFx activities, negotiations, and contracts.
• Ensure sourcing activities deliver value and objectives defined in category strategies.
• Provide category expertise on supplier selection, negotiation approaches, and award decisions.
• Align contract outcomes with category and business goals.

Supplier Management & Performance

• Define supplier management strategies for key LCO/Sterile suppliers.
• Guide supplier performance management, issue resolution, and continuous improvement programs.
• Maintain market intelligence and identify strategic supplier opportunities, leveraging SRM to develop ongoing value capture opportunities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Business Support

• Partner with leaders across External Manufacturing, Technical Operations, and key business functions, understanding business needs and co‑developing strategies.
• Communicate category plans, sourcing activities, risks, and trade‑offs; influence stakeholders and champion strategies.
• Influence outcomes of Business Development through category and supplier expertise.
• Build trusted relationships and deep business understanding to inform category priorities.

Value Delivery & Reporting

• Drive category value initiatives, including cost optimization, sourcing improvements, and supplier performance.
• Track and communicate category performance, sourcing outcomes, and value delivery.Deliver multi-year cost reduction plans and partner with Finance to validate targets.
• Improve reporting transparency and consistency.

Market & Supplier Insight

• Expert level knowledge of LCO/Sterile markets, supplier capabilities, capacity trends, and regulations.
• Use market and supplier intelligence to shape category strategies and sourcing decisions.
• Strengthen supplier relationships and position Teva as a customer of choice.

Process & Capability Development

• Support adoption of category management tools, templates, and best practices.
• Improve consistency and discipline across category management activities.
• Identify process improvement opportunities across planning, supplier engagement, and execution.
• Coach and inspire team members to strengthen LCO/Sterile category management capabilities.

Your Skills and Experience

Experience & Expertise

• Experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, or Procurement within pharmaceutical, life sciences, manufacturing, or other regulated industries.
• Experience managing External Manufacturing (EXM), CMO/CDMO partnerships, or strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience leading sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, supplier engagement, and cross‑functional projects.
• Strong understanding of Sterile, Liquids, Creams & Ointments (LCO) manufacturing, supplier networks, or outsourced manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
• Pharmaceutical experience is advantageous; however, candidates from adjacent regulated industries with strong External Manufacturing expertise are encouraged to apply.

Skills & Attributes

• Hands‑on, execution‑oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Effective stakeholder communication and collaboration skills, demonstrated through understanding of business needs.
• Deep analytical and commercial aptitude, that can be translated to strategies.
• Comfort working in evolving, lower‑maturity procurement environments.

Education

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Typically 10+ years of experience in Procurement, Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, External Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or related disciplines.

How We’ll Take Care of You

At Teva, better health starts from within, and that includes you. From day one, you’ll be supported with benefits designed to help you thrive in and out of work.

• generous annual leave
• reward plans
• flexible working schedules (dependent on role)
• access to tailored health support
• meaningful ways to give back to the community

When it comes to your career, you’ll be encouraged to explore, evolve, and shape your path. Twist, our one‑stop shop for career development platform, gives you access to a wide range of possibilities, from learning programs and short‑term projects to opportunities for internal growth. Here, you’ll be part of a culture that empowers you to reach your goals and prioritize your wellbeing every step of the way.

Teva’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment

Teva Pharmaceuticals is committed to equal opportunity in employment. It is Teva's global policy that equal employment opportunity be provided without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, veteran status, national or ethnic origin or any other legally recognized status entitled to protection under applicable laws. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to support you throughout the recruitment and selection process. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.