Global Category Manager

Waters Corporation; Milford (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters Corporation is seeking a Global Category Manager to develop and execute global category strategies for the medical device portfolio, partnering with Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations to support new product development and lifecycle management.

You will lead supplier selection, contract negotiations, and drive cost savings while ensuring ISO 13485, GMP, FDA compliance and supplier risk management across regions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field is required or equivalent.
• Experience in procurement/category management, ideally in medical devices or regulated industries.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global category strategy.
• Coordinate with Category Managers to leverage enterprise spend.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, and long‑term contracts.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 13485, GMP, FDA/Regulatory requirements.
• Drive cost savings, supplier consolidation, and risk mitigation.
• Support NPI and lifecycle management with R&D and Quality teams.

Skills

Data analysis

Project management

Negotiation

Cross‑functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Materials Science, Business, or related field

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Waters Global Sourcing organization!

Reporting to the Director of Global Procurement, the Global Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing global category strategies and coordinating with other category managers to leverage spend across the organization’s medical device portfolio. This role ensures supply assurance, optimizes cost, drives supplier innovation, strengthens sustainability performance, and maintains compliance with regulatory and quality requirements for medical applications.

The Global Category Manager partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Global/Business Units Procurement teams to support new product development and lifecycle management.

Making effective supply-base decisions for this category and enhancing the user experience in support of a worldwide life sciences manufacturer.

Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global strategy, coordinating with other Category Managers to leverage the spend across the enterprise.
• Conduct market analysis, benchmark through RFP’s to evaluate supply base competitiveness, as well as to conduct supplier base consolidations
• Conduct market analysis, benchmark pricing, and assess supply risks across medical and industrial segments
• Identify and implement cost‑reduction opportunities through supplier consolidation, value engineering, specification harmonization, and should‑cost modeling.
• Lead strategic initiatives such as dual sourcing, regionalization, and risk mitigation aligned with corporate procurement goals.
• Lead the supplier selection process and performance reviews, as well as actively participate in supplier qualifications and Joint Business Planning (JBP) activities.
• Negotiate global contracts, pricing agreements, and long‑term supply arrangements, ensuring competitive commercial terms.
• Evaluate supplier capacity and capabilities, adherence to industry standards (ISO 13485, GMP, USP Class VI, etc.).

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with R&D and Engineering teams to influence material selection and ensure alignment with category strategies.
• Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory to ensure compliance with medical‑industry requirements and material documentation (RoHS, REACH, MDR, FDA, etc.).
• Support Operations and Supply Chain in supplier transfers and manufacturing validation activities.
• Participate in New Product Introduction (NPI) programs to ensure sourcing decisions meet long‑term category goals.
• Deliver annual cost savings, productivity improvements, and working‑capital targets.
• Monitor category performance KPIs, including cost, quality, service, risk, and sustainability.
• Maintain a robust and compliant supplier base through audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement plans.
• Develop and maintain spend analyses, cost models, and quarterly category business reviews.

Risk, Compliance & Sustainability

• Assess and mitigate risks related to supply constraints.
• Ensure ethical sourcing and compliance with corporate standards and global regulations.
• Support sustainability initiatives.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Materials Science, Business, or related field. MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.

Experience

• 5–8+ years of procurement or category management experience, ideally within the medical devices, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or highly regulated manufacturing industries.
• Deep knowledge of category management and supplier relationship management.
• Experience working in a highly regulated environment with cross‑functional teams (Quality, Regulatory, R&D, Operations).
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills.
• Understanding polymer chemistry, manufacturing processes, tooling, and cost drivers.
• Ability to lead complex supplier transitions and global sourcing initiatives.
• Excellent data analysis, strategic thinking, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building abilities across global teams.