Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement – Technology and AI

AbbVie; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 206,500 - 393,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

AbbVie is hiring a Senior Director of Category Management and Procurement in North Chicago. This role requires extensive experience in strategic sourcing and technology procurement while leading a global team to optimize procurement processes. The ideal candidate will drive innovation in technology and AI procurement strategies.

Key responsibilities include overseeing category management, ensuring alignment with technology portfolios, and leading a team focused on transforming procurement into a high-performance organization.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of strategic sourcing and procurement experience.
• 5+ years in pharmaceutical or life sciences preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in Technology procurement.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead global category strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement across people and processes.
• Chart a strategic roadmap for procurement.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Leadership

Technology procurement

Analytical skills

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science, business, finance, supply chain, engineering

MBA or relevant MS/PhD

Tools

Coupa

SAP

Ariba

Job description

Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement – Technology and AI

Job Type: Full-time

Compensation: USD 206500 - USD 393000 per year

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.

The Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement – Technology is a global leadership role responsible for establishing, aligning, and executing procurement best practices across category strategy, category management, contract management, vendor management, and risk management. This position owns end‑to‑end category management and portfolio execution for Technology spend, ensuring speed, rigor, and scalability while enabling scientific innovation across all of technology, inclusive of AI and emerging platforms.

As a key member of the Enterprise Procurement leadership team, this role serves as the single point of accountability for all Technology categories, partnering closely with Technology leaders, the Chief Procurement Officer, and cross‑functional stakeholders. The Senior Director leads a global team of category professionals and plays a central role in transforming procurement into a best‑in‑class organization—driving value, simplifying execution, and building durable capabilities that support both near‑term portfolio needs and long‑term growth.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of accountability to the VP of EFC Procurement and the CPO for all Technology categories.
• Own and lead global category strategies that balance speed of execution, risk management, value creation, and long‑term scalability.
• Ensure category strategies are directly aligned to the Technology portfolio and roadmap, enabling timely delivery of programs across development stages.
• Provide procurement oversight and execution leadership for the Technology portfolio, ensuring priorities are clear and resources are deployed where they matter most.
• Lead the development and execution of robust Category Management Plans that deliver measurable value, synergies, and operational efficiency with timely actions.
• Drive continuous improvement across people, process, governance, systems integration, and reporting.
• Translate complex analysis into clear strategic insights, financial impact, and executive‑ready recommendations.
• Chart a strategic roadmap and drive the timing, details, value, and overall delivery of outcomes.
• Own and drive the most complex programs/projects while acting as a player/coach.
• Apply deep category knowledge, supply markets, external benchmarks, projects, and team dynamics for action optimizations.
• Leverage cross‑functional relationships, vendor landscapes, and technology to optimize the Enterprise portfolios.
• Maintain P&l accountability for the portfolio, including budget management, value delivery, and financial performance tracking.
• Act as a trusted thought partner to Technology leadership, ensuring procurement strategies anticipate scientific needs and enable innovation rather than constrain it.
• Drive business relationships and influence with a collaborative and challenger business‑partnering model.
• Proactively solicit feedback from internal customers and address gaps in service, execution, or alignment.
• Build strong cross‑functional partnerships grounded in transparency, accountability, and enterprise‑first decision making.
• Lead, coach, and develop a global team of category managers, building deep capability and a strong succession pipeline.
• Foster an inclusive, high‑performance culture that encourages ownership, learning, collaboration, and constructive challenge.
• Play a visible leadership role in transforming Technology Procurement; simplifying how work gets done, strengthening governance, and raising the bar on performance and professionalism.
• Provide thought leadership, insights, and trends into advancements in technology, AI, and digital transformation.
• Champion AbbVie’s Ways We Work by modeling open dialogue, decisive leadership, adaptability, and accountability.
• Be a strategic thinker with a strong execution mindset and a bias toward action.
• Communicate effectively and influence across functions, levels, and geographies.
• Lead through ambiguity, make timely decisions, and adapt plans as priorities evolve.
• Apply strong analytical and financial acumen to quantify and communicate value.
• Be a culturally agile leader who values inclusion and thrives in a global organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; background in science, business, finance, supply chain, engineering, or a related field preferred.
• MBA or a relevant MS/PhD strongly preferred.
• 12+ years of strategic sourcing and procurement experience; 5+ years in pharmaceutical or life sciences preferred, or similar fast‑paced industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in Technology procurement.
• Proven experience leading teams and complex category portfolios.
• Professional certification in procurement, supply chain, or Six Sigma desirable.
• Experience with procurement systems such as Coupa, SAP, and Ariba preferred.
• Strong understanding of procurement best practices, contract law, and global complexities.
• Prior experience with transformation initiatives and change management.

Benefits

A comprehensive package including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.

This role is eligible to participate in AbbVie's long‑term incentive programs.

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 applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, please refer to AbbVie's accommodation page.