Global Direct Category Lead - Life Sciences Sourcing Remote

Lonza; Vacaville (CA); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching plan

Life insurance, as well as short-term-

and long-term disability insurance

Employee assistance programs

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Lonza is seeking a Global Direct Category Manager in Vacaville, CA to shape global sourcing strategies for direct raw materials used in life sciences manufacturing. This office-first role offers optional remote work up to 20% and collaboration across sites to optimize cost, reliability and innovation.

You will lead RFx processes, negotiations, and contracts, while managing a global supplier portfolio and ensuring business continuity in a regulated industry.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of procurement, strategic sourcing or related supply chain roles.
• Experience in supplier selection, negotiations and contract management.
• Ability to influence across global, regional and site organizations.
• Experience in supplier performance and supply risk management.
• CIPS or equivalent certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive global category strategies for direct raw materials.
• Partner with stakeholders across manufacturing sites, supply chain, operations, quality, and finance to ensure business continuity.
• Lead sourcing activities including RFx processes, supplier negotiations, contract development, and commercial planning.
• Manage a global supplier portfolio, monitoring performance, compliance, risk, and opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks including single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, financial risks, and quality concerns.
• Support the implementation of procurement policies, procedures, tools, and standardization initiatives while driving procurement efficiency and automation.
• Promote best-practice sharing across sites and regions while contributing to cost reduction, supply reliability, and capability-building initiatives within the procurement organization.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Supplier negotiations

Stakeholder management

Procurement

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business/Engineering/Procurement/Supply Chain

Job description

Lonza is seeking a Global Direct Category Manager in Vacaville, CA to shape global sourcing strategies for direct raw materials used in life sciences manufacturing. This office-first role offers optional remote work up to 20% and collaboration across sites to optimize cost, reliability and innovation.

You will lead RFx processes, negotiations, and contracts, while managing a global supplier portfolio and ensuring business continuity in a regulated industry.