Global Plastics & Tooling Category Manager

Thornton Tomasetti; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories in Abbott Park, Illinois, seeks a Technical Category Manager, Plastics & Tooling, to develop and execute global category strategies for plastic components, injection molding, tooling, and related manufacturing technologies.

You will serve as the technical SME, lead supplier strategy, and partner with Engineering, R&D, Operations, and Procurement to align technical requirements with business objectives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in plastics engineering, injection molding, tooling or category management.
• Understanding of injection molding, tool design and plastic component manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of polymer materials and tooling economics.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives with engineering, operations and procurement.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic category plans delivering results.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global category strategy for plastics components and tooling.
• Lead supplier strategy: market assessments, supplier selection, negotiations.
• Implement enterprise-wide tooling strategy focusing on standardization and lifecycle management.
• Partner with Procurement, Engineering, R&D, Operations, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality.
• Drive supplier innovation and DFM for product commercialization and operational excellence.
• Support NPI and lifecycle initiatives ensuring tooling readiness and supply continuity.
• Improve total cost of ownership via resin optimization and process improvements.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and communities of practice.
• Mentor procurement and engineering professionals; represent Abbott externally.

Skills

Plastics engineering

Injection molding

Tooling design

Cross-functional leadership

Supplier management

Category management

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Plastics/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or Polymer Science

Tools

Moldflow

Job description

Abbott Laboratories in Abbott Park, Illinois, seeks a Technical Category Manager, Plastics & Tooling, to develop and execute global category strategies for plastic components, injection molding, tooling, and related manufacturing technologies.

You will serve as the technical SME, lead supplier strategy, and partner with Engineering, R&D, Operations, and Procurement to align technical requirements with business objectives.