Manager Procurement

Abbott Laboratories; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 119,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free medical coverage for employees (P

Excellent retirement savings plan

Tuition reimbursement

Freedom 2 Save student debt program

FreeU education benefit

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a strategic Category Manager Procurement, Marketing to lead multimillion-dollar marketing and advertising spend initiatives. You will partner with Marketing, Legal, Finance, and suppliers to deliver innovative sourcing strategies and enable best-in-class marketing capabilities.

The role can be based at Willis Tower, Chicago, IL, or Abbott Park, IL, and is a 5-days onsite position with global reach and impact in a renowned healthcare leader.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 6+ years in Marketing Procurement, Marketing Technology Procurement, or related areas.
• Experience leading category management, sourcing, and supplier management strategies.
• Proven track record of large-scale, high-visibility initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Experience leading complex sourcing events and contract discussions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and align cross-functional and senior leadership teams.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Marketing Procurement category portfolio spanning $150M-$350M in spend.
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with priorities and goals.
• Provide market intelligence across media, marketing tech, AI/GenAI, and agency models.
• Identify cost optimization and value creation opportunities while balancing quality.
• Own category performance metrics, savings targets, reporting and continuous improvement.
• Lead RFIs, RFPs, RFQs to select best-in-class suppliers and partners.
• Conduct market research, supplier assessments and benchmarking.
• Develop negotiation strategies with agencies and suppliers.
• Negotiate MSAs and SOWs with Legal and stakeholders.
• Improve sourcing, contracting and vendor management processes.
• Build relationships with Marketing leaders, agencies and suppliers.
• Deliver strategic recommendations and procurement best practices.
• Mentor colleagues within Marketing Procurement.

Skills

Marketing procurement

Category management

Sourcing

Supplier management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Communication

Influence

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or graduate degree

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity Abbott is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Category Manager Procurement, Marketing to lead high-impact marketing procurement initiatives across a diverse portfolio of marketing and advertising spend. In this role, you will partner with Marketing, Legal, Finance, and supplier partners to deliver innovative sourcing strategies, drive value creation, and enable best-in-class marketing capabilities. This position can be based at either our Willis Tower office in downtown Chicago, IL, or Abbott Park, IL, and is a 5-days onsite role.

What You’ll Work On

• Lead a Marketing Procurement category portfolio spanning approximately $150M-$350M in marketing and advertising spend.
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business priorities, growth objectives, and marketing goals.
• Provide category expertise and market intelligence across media, marketing technology platforms, AI/GenAI solutions, digital activation, and agency models.
• Identify and implement cost optimization and value creation opportunities while balancing quality, innovation, and business needs.
• Own category performance metrics, savings targets, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead complex RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs to identify and select best-in-class suppliers and agency partners.
• Conduct market research, supplier assessments, and competitive benchmarking to stay ahead of industry trends.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies with agencies and strategic suppliers.
• Partner with Legal and business stakeholders to negotiate and manage Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Drive operational excellence by improving sourcing, contracting, and vendor management processes.
• Build strong relationships with Marketing leaders, agencies, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor by delivering strategic recommendations, innovative solutions, and procurement best practices.
• Mentor and support colleagues within the Marketing Procurement organization.
• Lead and influence cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact business initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 6+ years of experience in Marketing Procurement, Marketing Technology Procurement, advertising agency account management, media planning/investment, or marketing strategy and planning.
• Experience developing and executing category management, sourcing, and supplier management strategies.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale, high-visibility initiatives and delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Experience leading complex sourcing events, supplier negotiations, and contract discussions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and gain alignment across cross-functional and senior leadership teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage ambiguity effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA or other relevant graduate degree).
• Experience supporting global or regional marketing procurement categories.
• Strong understanding of media, digital marketing, marketing technology ecosystems, AI/GenAI tools, and emerging marketing trends.
• Experience managing agency relationships and evaluating agency capabilities and performance.
• Knowledge of procurement systems, sourcing tools, and contract management processes.
• Demonstrated success driving business transformation, process improvements, and operational efficiencies.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or developing procurement professionals.
• Professional procurement certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS, CPM) are a plus.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life.

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity. Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 – $198,700.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: Category Management

DIVISION: GPS Global Purchasing Services

LOCATION: United States > Chicago : Willis Tower Building 233 S Wacker Dr.

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT: Standard

TRAVEL: Not specified

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday)

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.

EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next-generation diagnostics, life-changing devices, science-based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health.

The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well-being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings. An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.

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