Global Direct Category Manager

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

Global Direct Category Manager

Location: Vacaville, CA

Join Lonza as a Global Direct Category Manager and play a critical role in shaping the global sourcing strategy for direct raw materials that support the manufacture of life-changing therapies. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders across multiple sites and regions, driving cost optimization, supply reliability, innovation, and business continuity across a global chemical spend portfolio valued at approximately CHF 75 million.

This is an office‑first role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and team alignment, enabling us to deliver our best work. You will work primarily in the office, with the flexibility to work remotely for 20% of your time (one day per week).

What you will get:

The full‑time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $108,750 - $181,250 USD. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• 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

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What you will do:

• Develop and drive global category strategies for direct raw materials to support business objectives, supplier performance, and long-term value creation.
• Partner with stakeholders across manufacturing sites, supply chain, operations, quality, and finance teams to ensure business continuity and meet evolving business needs.
• Lead sourcing activities including RFx processes, supplier negotiations, contract development, and commercial planning to deliver measurable business value.
• 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.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
• 5-10 years of procurement, strategic sourcing, process excellence, category management or related supply chain function experience within the pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, chemical, or other highly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in supplier selection, supplier negotiations, contract management, and strategic sourcing methodologies.
• Strong ability to build collaborative relationships and influence stakeholders across global, regional, and site-based organizations.
• Experience managing supplier performance, supply risk assessments, and business continuity initiatives within complex supply chains.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and make sound business decisions in a fast‑paced environment.
• Professional procurement certification such as CIPS, or equivalent qualification, is highly desirable.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.