Associate Director, Category Management – Biologics

Allergan; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie in the United States seeks an Associate Director, Category Management of Biologics to partner with VP-level stakeholders and develop global procurement strategies for Biologics manufacturing inputs such as single-use systems, resins, and filters.

You will lead end-to-end procurement, build strategic plans, and manage cross-functional teams to drive supplier collaboration, cost savings, and innovative solutions across the Biologics category.

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.
• Experience leading category teams and reporting to senior leaders.
• Fluency in negotiation and bidding; strong change-management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement processes and negotiate contracts for Biologics materials.
• Develop a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the Biologics category.
• Lead cross-functional teams across AbbVie manufacturing sites for strategic decision making.
• Define strategic value drivers with key suppliers to secure collaborative partnerships and cost savings.
• Own negotiation preparation and lead negotiations with key suppliers.
• Integrate ESG measures into category strategies and drive sustainable sourcing.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Data analytics

Sustainability/ESG

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Supply Chain

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

Purpose:

The Associate Director, Category Management of Biologics 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. Category includes materials for Biologics manufacturing including single use systems, resins, and filters, among others.

Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end procurement processes, develop global procurement strategies, negotiate contracts, and execute process improvements to ensure efficiency and excellence in the Biologics 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.
• Own negotiation preparation and alignment, and lead negotiations with key category suppliers using strong analytical insight and a strategic, long-term perspective.
• 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 Biologics 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.

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

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state orlocal law:

• 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 employer remains in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion unless and until 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, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html