Purpose
The Category Manager - Drug Delivery Device leads implementation of category procurement strategy, developed in partnership with Category Directors and VP-level business stakeholders. This role oversees the execution of the end-to-end procurement process, managing a team of Specialists to ensure excellence in all activities and compliance to policy. The Category Manager is responsible for developing team capabilities and assisting leadership in identifying workforce planning needs.

NOTE: This is a hybrid role in the North Chicago suburbs (3 days onsite/2 days remote) 

Responsibilities

• Partner with Director/VP-level business or functional stakeholders to develop category-specific procurement strategies.
• Contribute to the development of a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the relevant category, incorporating category strategies that align with overall business goals.
• Relay insights and market intelligence from team analysis to Directors and Associate Directors to inform strategic decision-making, staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics.
• Manage strategic value drivers with key category suppliers to secure collaborative partnerships that challenge the status quo to achieve cost savings, optimize processes, and enhance overall procurement value.
• Manage and monitor supplier performance on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures, working alongside suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices.
• Enable Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies, driving innovation with key category suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting-edge solutions to deliver on long-term business needs.
• Implement mitigation strategies to proactively manage procurement risk across the relevant category, overseeing process and policy compliance.
• Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, managing and driving cross-functional teams to deliver strategic category-related projects.
• Implement opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long-term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives.
• Assist with the end-to-end procurement process from sourcing strategy to contract negotiation and execution, enabling negotiations with category suppliers and facilitating decisions by conducting required analysis and preparation.
• Manage a team of Specialists, monitoring and reporting progress toward performance targets.
• Identify capability gaps and assist in developing focused action plans to address workforce requirements and team needs.