Associate Director, Category Management

Allergan; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Long-term incentive programs

Job summary

AbbVie in Irvine, CA is seeking an Associate Director, Category Management for Primary Packaging Injectables to partner with VP-level stakeholders and shape global procurement strategies.

You will lead cross-functional teams across AbbVie manufacturing sites, develop strategic value drivers with suppliers, and drive innovations and responsible sourcing to meet long-term business goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years procurement experience across supply chain or related functions.
• Experience leading category teams and reporting to senior leadership.
• Strong negotiation and bidding skills with change-management focus.
• Pharma industry knowledge strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement processes and develop global strategies.
• Build an annual strategic plan for the category.
• Lead cross-functional teams to inform decisions using market intelligence.
• Define strategic value drivers with suppliers to secure partnerships.
• Incorporate ESG measures into category strategies and sourcing practices.
• Lead Supplier Management & Innovation strategies with key suppliers.
• Develop mitigation strategies to manage procurement risk and ensure compliance.
• Oversee project management from initiation to completion with cross-functional teams.
• Own negotiation preparation and lead supplier negotiations.

Skills

Executive stakeholder collaboration

Procurement strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Negotiation

Risk management

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration / Supply Chain Mgmt

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

The Associate Director, Category Management of Primary Packaging Injectables partners with VP‑level business or functional stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies, define strategic value drivers with key category suppliers, secure collaborative partnerships, and achieve ambitious performance targets aligned with organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end procurement processes, develop global procurement strategies, monitor contracts, and execute process improvements to ensure efficiency and excellence in the Primary Packaging Injectables category.
• Build a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the category, incorporating strategies that align with overall business goals.
• Lead a cross‑functional team, primarily within AbbVie manufacturing sites, to inform strategic decision‑making by leveraging market intelligence and staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics.
• Define and develop strategic value drivers with key category suppliers to secure collaborative partnerships that challenge the status quo, achieve cost savings, optimize processes, and enhance overall procurement value.
• Integrate sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures into category strategies, collaborating with suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices.
• Lead Supplier Management & Innovation (SMI) strategies, driving innovation with key suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting‑edge solutions that meet long‑term business needs.
• Develop and activate mitigation strategies to proactively identify and manage procurement risk across the Primary Packaging Injectables category, ensuring compliance.
• Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, directing and guiding cross‑functional teams to deliver strategic category‑related projects. Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long‑term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives.
• Own negotiation preparation and alignment, and lead negotiations with key category suppliers using strong analytical insight and a strategic, long‑term perspective.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt or related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related business or operations function.
• Previous experience leading category teams, partnering with major suppliers, and reporting to senior leaders.
• Strong proficiency in developing high‑impact executive‑level deliverables.
• Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is strongly preferred.
• Comprehensive expertise in category management, including market analysis, cost and financial assessment, ensuring strategic and informed procurement decisions. Fluency in negotiation and bidding, adept in overseeing complex projects with a focus on effective change management.
• Strong capabilities in internal stakeholder management and influence, aligning procurement strategies with business needs and fostering collaborative supplier relationships.
• Strategic thinking and accountability, anticipating future trends, and taking responsibility for impactful procurement outcomes that challenge the status quo.
• Innovative problem‑solving skills combined with a significant executive presence, enabling creative solutions and influential communication at all organizational levels. High cross‑functional leadership abilities, conflict resolution skills, effectively navigating & harmonizing diverse team dynamics.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship‑building across a matrixed organization. High resilience under pressure and autonomous work ethic, maintaining performance in challenging situations and making independent decisions.

Additional Information

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

• This job is eligible to participate in our long‑term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion until and unless paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only – to learn more, https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html