AbbVie

Associate Director, Category Management

AbbVie • $120K — $150K *
North Chicago, IL 60064In-Person
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field; Master's preferred.
  • Minimum 10 years experience in procurement, supply chain, or related operations.
  • Led category teams and partnered with major suppliers, reporting to senior leaders.
  • Proficient in developing high-impact presentations for executives.
  • Pharmaceutical industry knowledge strongly preferred.
  • Expertise in market analysis, cost assessment, and procurement decision-making.

Responsibilities

  • Develop global procurement strategies with VP-level stakeholders.
  • Create an annual strategic plan aligning category strategies with business goals.
  • Provide market intelligence and analysis to inform strategic decisions.
  • Establish collaborative partnerships with suppliers to drive innovation and cost savings.
  • Incorporate sustainability and ESG measures into procurement strategies.
  • Lead supplier relationship management and innovative solution delivery.
  • Implement risk mitigation strategies for procurement compliance.

Benefits

  • Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance available.
  • 401(k) plan for eligible employees.
  • Eligibility for long-term incentive programs.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Purpose

The Associate Director, Category Management partners with VP-level business or functional stakeholder(s) to develop global procurement strategies, contributing to a cross-functional team that informs strategy through analysis, market expertise, and understanding of broader business objectives. This role builds an annual strategic plan and leads a team of managers to achieve ambitious performance targets aligned with organizational goals.

Responsibilities
  • Partner with VP-level business or functional stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies for an individual procurement category, acting as a Business Partner where necessary.
  • Build a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the relevant category, incorporating category strategies that align with overall business goals.
  • Contribute to a cross-functional team that informs strategic decision-making by leveraging market intelligence, staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics.
  • Define and develop 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.
  • Integrate sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures into category strategies, collaborating with suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices.
  • Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies, driving innovation with key category suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting-edge solutions that deliver on long-term business needs.
  • Develop and activate mitigation strategies to proactively define and manage procurement risk across the relevant category, , ensuring compliance.
  • Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, directing and guiding cross-functional teams to deliver strategic category-related projects. Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long-term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives.
  • Drive the end-to-end procurement process from sourcing strategy to contract negotiation and execution, leading negotiations with key category suppliers and strengthening decisions with strong analytical insight and strategic perspective.
  • Lead & coach a team of Managers, setting ambitious performance targets, providing tailored coaching, and evaluating team performance. Assist in planning to address skillsets, workforce requirements, capability needs, and long-term organizational staffing goals.


Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt or related field. Master's degree is preferred
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related business or operations function.
  • Previous experience leading category teams, partnering with major suppliers, and reporting to senior leaders.
  • Strong proficiency in developing high-impact executive-level deliverables.
  • Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is strongly preferred.
  • Comprehensive expertise in category management, including market analysis, cost and financial assessment, ensuring strategic and informed procurement decisions. Fluency in negotiation and bidding, adept in overseeing complex projects with a focus on effective change management.
  • Strong capabilities in internal stakeholder management and influence, aligning procurement strategies with business needs and fostering collaborative supplier relationships.
  • Strategic thinking and accountability, anticipating future trends, and taking responsibility for impactful procurement outcomes that challenge the status quo.
  • Innovative problem-solving skills combined with a significant executive presence, enabling creative solutions and influential communication at all organizational levels. High cross-functional leadership abilities, conflict resolution skills, effectively navigating & harmonizing diverse team dynamics.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship-building across a matrixed organization. High resilience under pressure and autonomous work ethic, maintaining performance in challenging situations and making independent decisions.


Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of thisposting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location,and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
  • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission,incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless anduntil paid and may be modified at the Company's sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

About AbbVie

AbbVie develops pharmaceuticals and medical devices. They provide products and services to therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology.

AbbVie Careers

Joining AbbVie means becoming part of a global team dedicated to making a remarkable impact on patients' lives. At AbbVie, our employees are united in the pursuit of groundbreaking innovation and are committed to transforming the future of healthcare with leading-edge science.

Work You’ll Do

At AbbVie, you’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry to solve challenging problems that have a high impact on society. Our culture fosters growth and embraces leadership and diversity training, ensuring that every team member can thrive.

Explore Job Opportunities

AbbVie offers a wide range of job opportunities and career paths, providing a platform where professionals can propel their careers forward. From research and development to marketing and sales, the potential to make a significant impact is limitless.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with an AbbVie internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry experience and a chance to develop essential skills in a real-world setting. Interns at AbbVie are considered integral members of the team and are given tasks that are both challenging and rewarding.

Professional Growth and Development

We believe in nurturing our team's professional growth through comprehensive training programs, leadership development opportunities, and continuous learning. Our commitment to your career growth is reflected in our robust offerings that enhance your skills and knowledge.

Benefits and Culture

AbbVie is dedicated to supporting our employees' well-being both inside and outside of work. Our benefits package includes health, financial, and social benefits that are designed to support the diverse needs of our employees. Our inclusive culture encourages collaboration and innovation, fostering a workplace where all can excel.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to ensure a match that will be beneficial both for the company and for your career aspirations. From resume submission to interview, each step is an opportunity to showcase your skills and fit with the AbbVie team.

Networking and Career Advancement

At AbbVie, networking doesn’t just enhance your career; it propels it. We encourage our employees to engage internally and externally to build relationships that foster personal and professional growth.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and innovative team players who are ready to make a difference.

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Explore AbbVie Jobs

Whether you’re seeking to advance your career in a dynamic and empowering environment, or looking for a place where you can innovate, lead, and contribute to something bigger, AbbVie is the place for you. Join us in our mission to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow.
Learn more about AbbVie
Size
50,000 employees
Market Cap
$288.5 billion
Industry
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Net Income
$4.6 billion
Founded
2013
5 Year Trend
+17%
Revenue
$45.8 billion
NASDAQ
ABBV
* Ladders Estimates

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