Manager, Category Manager Primary Packing, Non-Injectables

BioSpace; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie seeks a Category Manager of Primary Packaging Non-Injectables to lead end-to-end procurement, develop global strategies, and guide cross-functional teams with market insights. The role focuses on strategic value creation, cost savings, and sustainable sourcing within packaging categories.

Requires a 7+ year track record in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and familiarity with pharma sector dynamics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt or related field; Masters preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years in procurement, supply chain or related business or operations function.
• Experience partnering with major suppliers and reporting to senior leaders.
• Strong proficiency in developing high‑impact deliverables and negotiations.
• Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry strongly preferred; category management experience with market analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement processes and develop global strategies for Primary Packaging Non-Injectables.
• Build a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the category and align with overall business goals.
• Lead cross-functional AbbVie teams to inform strategic decision-making with market intelligence.
• Define and develop strategic value drivers with key category suppliers to secure partnerships and cost savings.
• Integrate ESG measures into category strategies and sustainable sourcing practices.
• Lead Supplier Management & Innovation strategies to drive cutting-edge solutions.
• Develop and activate mitigation strategies to identify and manage procurement risk and ensure compliance.
• Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion across cross-functional teams.
• Own negotiation preparation and lead negotiations with key suppliers.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Category management

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Problem solving

ESG/sustainability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Mgmt

Masters degree

Job description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Company Description

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Purpose

The Category Manager of Primary Packaging Non-Injectables partners with Director-level business or functional stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies, define strategic value drivers with key category suppliers, secure collaborative partnerships, and achieve ambitious performance targets aligned with organizational goals. Category materials include films, foils, plastic bottles and caps, resins, trays and pouches.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement processes, develop global procurement strategies, monitor contracts, and execute process improvements to ensure efficiency and excellence in the Primary Packaging Non-Injectables category.
• Build a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the category, incorporating strategies that align with overall business goals.
• Lead a cross-functional team, primarily within AbbVie manufacturing sites, to inform strategic decision‑making by leveraging market intelligence and staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics.
• Define and develop strategic value drivers with key category suppliers to secure collaborative partnerships that challenge the status quo, achieve cost savings, optimize processes, and enhance overall procurement value.
• Integrate sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures into category strategies, collaborating with suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices.
• Lead Supplier Management & Innovation (SMI) strategies, driving innovation with key suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting‑edge solutions that meet long‑term business needs.
• Develop and activate mitigation strategies to proactively identify and manage procurement risk across the Primary Packaging Non-Injectables category, ensuring compliance.
• Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, directing and guiding cross‑functional teams to deliver strategic category‑related projects. Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long‑term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives.
• Own negotiation preparation and alignment, and lead negotiations with key category suppliers using strong analytical insight and a strategic, long‑term perspective.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt or related field. Masters degree is preferred
Minimum of 7 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related business or operations function.
Previous experience partnering with major suppliers, and reporting to senior leaders.
Strong proficiency in developing high‑impact deliverables.
Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is strongly preferred.
Comprehensive experience in category management, including market analysis, cost and financial assessment, ensuring strategic and informed procurement decisions. Fluency in negotiation and bidding, adept in overseeing complex projects with a focus on effective change management.
Strong capabilities in internal stakeholder management and influence, aligning procurement strategies with business needs and fostering collaborative supplier relationships.
Strategic thinking and accountability, anticipating future trends, and taking responsibility for impactful procurement outcomes that challenge the status quo.
Innovative problem‑solving skills combined with a significant executive presence, enabling creative solutions and influential communication at all organizational levels. High cross‑functional leadership abilities, conflict resolution skills, effectively navigating & harmonizing diverse team dynamics.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship‑building across a matrixed organization. High resilience under pressure and autonomous work ethic, maintaining performance in challenging situations and making independent decisions.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• This job is eligible to participate in our long‑term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employer remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html