The Senior Specialist, Category Management executes sub-category procurement strategy in support of R&D portfolio priorities, as part of the larger category management team, reporting to Category Managers and Directors. This role supports end-to-end execution of the procurement process — including sourcing, contracting, and supplier relationship management — with a bias for action, speed of execution, and quality, ensuring activities comply with defined processes and align with broader category strategy. The Senior Specialist also contributes to procurement projects and continuous improvement initiatives, building category expertise and enabling procurement to operate as a trusted partner to R&D stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Category Directors and Associate Directors to execute subcategory-specific procurement strategies aligned to R&D portfolio priorities and timelines.
• Implement and monitor effectiveness of strategies for the relevant category, ensuring alignment with R&D and overall business goals and enabling timely delivery of programs across discovery, pre-clinical, and development stages.
• Report on supplier performance and operational health, informing Category Leaders to enable strategic decision-making, incorporating industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics; translate analysis into clear insights and recommendations for category leadership.
• Monitor initiatives to drive value with category suppliers, tracking cost savings and measurable value delivery against Category Management Plans.
• Enable sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures, working alongside suppliers to advance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices.
• Execute Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies, managing relationships with category suppliers and collaborating to deliver solutions that address long-term business needs and anticipate scientific requirements.
• Implement mitigation strategies to proactively manage procurement risk across the relevant category, maintaining process, governance, and policy compliance.
• Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver strategic category-related projects. Assist category leaders with opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, executing continuous improvement programs across people, process, governance, systems, and reporting that achieve strategic objectives.
• Assist with the end-to-end procurement process from sourcing strategy to contract negotiation and execution, supporting negotiations with category suppliers and facilitating decisions by developing the required analysis and gathering relevant data.
• Develop own capabilities and build category expertise in accordance with individual learning path. Actively support team goals, ensuring performance targets and objectives are delivered successfully.
• Support stakeholder engagement by building working relationships with R&D customers and cross-functional partners; surface feedback on service, execution, or alignment gaps to category leaders.
• Operate effectively in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment, demonstrating accountability, adaptability, and open dialogue consistent with AbbVie's Ways We Work.