Senior Specialist Procurement - Plastics

abbott; Illinois; On-site; USD 78,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a Senior Procurement Specialist – Plastics to drive the Global Plastics category strategy and lead procurement execution across global operations. You will negotiate with suppliers, manage contracts, and integrate advanced technologies to boost sustainability and efficiency.

You will collaborate with engineering and operations, run RFIs/RFPs, monitor resin pricing, and pursue cost-saving opportunities while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.

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 sourcing strategies for plastic materials and components and monitor market trends.
• 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.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Support contract development, statements of work, and standard operating procedures.
• Drive procurement projects through complex sourcing processes.
• Develop and maintain deep category knowledge and market intelligence.

Skills

Supplier negotiations

Contracting

Relationship management

AI tools in procurement

Sustainability initiatives

Data analytics

Education

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

Tools

SAP

Access

Microsoft Office

Data analytics tools

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.

What You’ll Work On

• 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%.

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.

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

$78,000.00 – $156,000.00

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:

Category Management

DIVISION:

GPS Global Purchasing Services

LOCATION:

United States > Abbott Park : AP52

WORK SHIFT:

Standard

TRAVEL:

Yes, 15 % of the Time

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