Associate Director, Global Category Strategy

AbbVie; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Long-term incentive programs

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking an Associate Director, Category Management for Primary Packaging Injectables to partner with VP-level stakeholders in developing global procurement strategies and to secure collaborative partnerships with key suppliers.

The role emphasizes leading cross-functional teams across AbbVie manufacturing sites, driving cost savings, and leveraging market intelligence to influence strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management 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 at 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 organisational levels.
• High cross‑functional leadership abilities, conflict resolution skills, and effective navigation & harmonisation of diverse team dynamics.

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 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 optimisation and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long‑term continuous improvement programmes 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.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Vendor negotiation

Market analysis

ESG integration

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

AbbVie is seeking an Associate Director, Category Management for Primary Packaging Injectables to partner with VP-level stakeholders in developing global procurement strategies and to secure collaborative partnerships with key suppliers.

The role emphasizes leading cross-functional teams across AbbVie manufacturing sites, driving cost savings, and leveraging market intelligence to influence strategic decisions.