Senior Specialist Procurement - Plastics

Abbott; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott, a global healthcare leader, seeks a Senior Procurement Specialist – Plastics to drive the global plastics category strategy across North America and beyond. You will lead supplier identification, negotiations, and contract management while collaborating with engineering and operations to align specifications with business needs.

The role emphasizes cost reductions, sustainability, and risk mitigation, with travel up to 15%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in procurement or supply chain, preferably in plastics or packaging.
• Strong skills in supplier negotiations, contracting, and relationship management.
• Experience with AI tools, digital procurement platforms, and sustainability initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SAP, Access, and data analytics tools.
• Certification from ISM or APICS preferred; Lean/Six Sigma experience a plus.
• Project management experience preferred; PMP certification or training is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.

Responsibilities

• Execute the plastics category strategy across North America and global sites.
• Lead supplier identification, evaluation, and selection processes.
• Manage competitive bidding events (RFIs, RFPs) and lead fact-based negotiations.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for plastic materials and components.
• Monitor market trends, resin pricing, and supplier capabilities.
• Drive cost-saving opportunities and value engineering initiatives.
• Partner with engineering and operations teams to align specifications with business needs.
• Ensure compliance with quality, regulatory, and sustainability requirements.
• Drive supplier performance improvement and risk mitigation.

Skills

Supplier negotiations

Contracting

Relationship management

AI tools experience

Digital procurement platforms

Sustainability initiatives

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, or related field

Tools

SAP

Access

Data analytics tools

Microsoft Office

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

The Opportunity

• As a Senior Procurement Specialist – Plastics, you will be a key driver of Abbott’s Global Procurement Plastics category strategy across global operations.
• This role leads procurement execution, supplier negotiations, and contract management, while integrating advanced technologies to enhance sustainability and efficiency.
• You will collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment with business goals, regulatory standards, and innovation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Execute the plastics category strategy across North America and global sites.
• Lead supplier identification, evaluation, and selection processes.
• Manage competitive bidding events (RFIs, RFPs) and lead fact-based negotiations.
• Manage a Plastics sub-category by: Developing and executing sourcing strategies for plastic materials and components.
• Monitoring market trends, resin pricing, and supplier capabilities.
• Driving cost-saving opportunities and value engineering initiatives.
• Partnering with engineering and operations teams to align specifications with business needs.
• Ensuring compliance with quality, regulatory, and sustainability requirements.
• Improving supplier performance and mitigating risk.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Support contract development, statements of work, and standard operating procedures.
• Drive multiple procurement projects through complex sourcing processes.
• Develop and maintain deep category knowledge and market intelligence.
• Assist in financial planning, LBE projections, and cash flow improvement initiatives.
• Execute the plastics category strategy across North America and global sites.
• Lead supplier identification, evaluation, and selection processes.
• Research and evaluate business requirements and suppliers.
• Assist with supplier identification and selection.
• Drive value and savings for sub categories in the plastics category and supply chain.
• Collaborates with other functions to ensure seamless procurement operations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Manage competitive bidding events (RFIs, RFPs) and lead fact-based negotiations.
• Manage a Plastics sub-category, including: Develop and execute sourcing strategies for plastic materials and components.
• Monitor market trends, resin pricing, and supplier capabilities specific to the sub-category.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement value engineering initiatives.
• Partner with engineering and operations teams to align plastic sub-category specifications with business needs.
• Ensure compliance with quality, regulatory, and sustainability requirements for specified suppliers.
• Drive supplier performance improvement and risk mitigation within the sub-category.
• Support the development and completion of contracts, statement of work and standard operating procedure.
• Support supplier performance management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive multiple procurement projects through complex sourcing processes.
• Develop and maintain deep category knowledge and market intelligence.
• Assist in financial planning, LBE projections, and cash flow improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in procurement or supply chain, preferably in plastics or packaging.
• Strong skills in supplier negotiations, contracting, and relationship management.
• Experience with AI tools, digital procurement platforms, and sustainability initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SAP, Access, and data analytics tools.
• Certification from ISM or APICS preferred; Lean/Six Sigma experience a plus.
• Project management experience preferred; PMP certification or training is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.

The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: Category ManagementDIVISION: GPS Global Purchasing ServicesLOCATION: United States > Abbott Park : AP52ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:WORK SHIFT: StandardTRAVEL: Yes, 15 % of the TimeMEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not ApplicableSIGNIFICANT 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.