Category Management Analyst

The Planet Group; Foster City (CA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Planet Group is seeking a Category Management Analyst to support category strategies across research & development procurement, including research services, biologics, chemicals, reagents, lab supplies and equipment.

You will partner with Category Managers to analyze spend, develop market insights, and help drive sourcing events and supplier optimization, delivering value across cost, quality, service and innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or related field.
• 3-6 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, analytics, or supply chain.
• Strong analytical and data management skills (Excel, Power BI, etc.).
• Experience working with large datasets and generating insights.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Support category strategies by compiling and analyzing data to develop category profiles with supply market insights and supplier segmentation.
• Manage and analyze spend data across multiple categories to identify trends and opportunities; ensure data integrity.
• Assist in sourcing events (RFPs, RFIs, negotiations) and develop business cases; track timelines and savings.
• Engage with stakeholders to support demand management and cross-functional initiatives.

Skills

Spend analysis

Procurement analytics

Data management

Sourcing

Stakeholder engagement

Excel/Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Industry: Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Pharmaceuticals

Location: Foster City, CA (Hybrid)

Duration: 12 Month Contract

Position Overview

The Category Management Analyst supports the development and execution of category strategies across a portfolio of Research & Product Development Procurement categories, including research services, biologics, chemicals, reagents, lab supplies, and lab equipment.

This role partners closely with Category Managers to analyze spend, generate market intelligence, support sourcing initiatives, and operationalize procurement strategies to deliver value across cost, quality, service, and innovation.

This is a high-impact, high-visibility role supporting a large and complex spend portfolio.

Top Required Skills:

• 3-6 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, analytics, or supply chain

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy Support

• Compile and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to support category strategies
• Develop category profiles, including supply market insights, supplier segmentation, and demand patterns
• Identify cost optimization, standardization, and supplier consolidation opportunities

Spend & Data Management

• Manage and analyze spend data across multiple categories to identify trends and opportunities
• Ensure accurate spend classification and data integrity to enable portfolio-level decision making
• Build forecasts and track savings, value delivery, and pipeline initiatives

Sourcing & Execution

• Support execution of sourcing events (RFPs, RFIs, negotiations) in partnership with Category Managers
• Develop recommendation materials and business cases
• Track sourcing pipeline and ensure execution against timelines
• Support supplier segmentation and performance tracking
• Assist in supplier rationalization and relationship management activities
• Maintain supplier data, contracts, and performance metrics

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with Category Managers and business stakeholders to support demand management and execution
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives with scientists, lab operations, and finance teams
• Help ensure a consistent, high-quality procurement experience

Operational Excellence

• Drive adoption of procurement processes, tools, and best practices
• Support catalog enablement, SOP development, and process standardization
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or related field
• 3-6 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, analytics, or supply chain
• Strong analytical and data management skills (Excel, Power BI, etc.)
• Experience working with large datasets and generating insights
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Preferred

• Experience in life sciences / biotech / pharma procurement
• Familiarity with:
• Lab consumables or equipment
• Experience supporting category strategies or sourcing programs