Global Category Manager

MSI Pharma; Town of Belgium (WI); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive contractor engagement package

High-visibility role in a mission-driven environment

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical organization seeks a Global Category Manager – Biopharma to influence global procurement with direct impacts on patient supply continuity. This critical role involves developing sourcing strategies, managing complex supplier contracts, and collaborating with multiple stakeholders. Candidates should have experience in category management and strategic sourcing, and hold at least a Bachelor's Degree in a related field. A competitive contractor engagement package is offered, alongside a hybrid working structure.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in category management, strategic sourcing, or procurement.
• Strong understanding of Patient Supply operations and regulatory environments.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Ability to build category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Skilled negotiator with experience managing supplier partnerships.
• Strong analytical abilities and data-driven decision making.
• Experience managing supply and financial risk in procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives and manage tendering processes.
• Conduct market intelligence and supplier benchmarking.
• Translate organisational needs into robust sourcing and transition plans.
• Prepare business cases including make‑or‑buy assessments.
• Lead tendering, evaluate proposals, and guide supplier selections.
• Drive commercial excellence, including negotiations and cost-saving initiatives.
• Negotiate and manage Master Agreements with key suppliers and partners.
• Embed risk assessment frameworks into category activities.
• Support strategic supplier relationship management across quality, delivery, cost, and innovation.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for GxP activities.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

data analysis

supplier relationship management

English communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

Global Category Manager – Biopharma (Internal Manufacturing)

Client: European-based Biopharma. Location: Brussels, Brussels Region - BE. Engagement: Long-term freelance mission. Hybrid Working Structure/Competitive Hourly Rate MSI Pharma.

MSI Pharma is partnering with a leading global biopharmaceutical organisation to appoint a Global Category Manager – Internal Manufacturing within their Internal Manufacturing Procurement function. This role plays a critical part in securing patient supply continuity across global markets, shaping end‑to‑end sourcing strategies, and driving commercial and operational excellence. You will collaborate closely with stakeholders across Patient Supply, Patient Evidence, Global Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, IP, and Sustainability. An exceptional opportunity for a procurement professional seeking a highly strategic, cross‑functional global role.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implementbest‑in‑class sourcing strategies for a defined Internal Manufacturing procurement portfolio.
• Lead and executestrategic sourcing initiatives, driving value creation, quality improvements, and supply resilience.
• Conduct market intelligence, benchmarking, and competitive landscape analysis to evaluate suppliers and emerging technologies.
• Partner with business stakeholders to translate organisational needs into robust sourcing and transition plans.
• Prepare strong business cases, includingmake‑versus‑buy assessments where applicable.
• Lead and managetendering processes, evaluate supplier proposals, and guide supplier selection recommendations.
• Drive commercial excellence, includingcommercial negotiations, commercial model creation, and cost‑saving initiatives.
• Develop, negotiate, and manageMaster Agreements with key suppliers and partners.
• Embed robust supply and financial risk assessment frameworks into category activities.
• Supportstrategic supplier relationship management to deliver improvements across quality, delivery, cost, and innovation.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for all GxP‑relevant activities.
• Act as a role model for ethical behaviour, fostering transparency and integrity in all interactions.

Requirements

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Additional certifications in Procurement, Supply Chain, or Contract Management advantageous.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience incategory management, strategic sourcing, or procurement, ideally within pharma / biotech / manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of Patient Supply operations and relevant regulatory environments.
• Expertise incontracting, including complex contract planning, negotiation, and lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated ability to build category strategies aligned with broader business objectives.
• Skilled negotiator with experience managing strategic supplier partnerships.
• Strong analytical abilities and comfort working with data for decision‑making and forecasting.
• Experience managing supply and financial risk within procurement processes.
• Excellent communication skills—capable of engaging with stakeholders at all levels and leading meetings in English.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise effectively, and adapt to changing business needs.
• Awareness of global market trends, geopolitical influences, and sustainability practices.

What’s in It for You?

• Opportunity to influence aglobal procurement category with direct impact on patient supply continuity.
• Work within a complex, innovative, and mission‑driven biopharmaceutical environment.
• High‑visibility role collaborating with cross‑functional leaders worldwide.
• Competitive contractor engagement package.