Senior Category Manager, Early Research & Development, Sourcing

Veracity Solutions

• $120K — $150K *

San Rafael, CA 94901In-Person

Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

Less than 5 years of experience

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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

5-7 years of experience in sourcing within biotech or pharmaceutical sectors
Proven expertise in sourcing for Early Discovery Research and Translational Biology
Strong background in managing complex supplier negotiations
Deep understanding of the drug development lifecycle
Familiarity with procurement systems like SAP and Ariba
Exceptional stakeholder management skills
Experience in bioanalytical and toxicology services sourcing

Responsibilities

Develop and implement sourcing strategies aligned with organizational goals
Support transformation initiatives for continuous procurement improvement
Drive cost savings and enhance value in assigned categories
Create procurement roadmaps for long-term planning
Act as the primary procurement partner for research stakeholders
Build relationships with scientific leadership and operational teams
Manage supplier relationships and conduct performance evaluations

Benefits

Hybrid work environment with onsite expectations limited to twice a week
Opportunity to lead strategic sourcing initiatives in early development
Engagement with multiple scientific disciplines and stakeholders
Support for continuous professional development
Involvement in transformative procurement projects within a leading biotech

Full Job Description

Senior Category Manager, Early Research & Development, Sourcing
Location: San Rafael, CA (Hybrid - Onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays)
Employment Type: Full-Time

The Senior Category Manager, Early Research & Development, Sourcing will lead strategic sourcing initiatives supporting Early Research & Development functions, including preclinical research, bioanalytical sciences, translational sciences, toxicology, animal research, and academic research partnerships.

This role is responsible for developing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, driving procurement transformation, negotiating complex agreements, and partnering closely with scientific, finance, and operational stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement sourcing and category strategies aligned with organizational objectives
Support transformation initiatives and continuous improvement efforts
Drive cost savings and value creation across assigned categories
Create multi-year procurement roadmaps

Stakeholder Management

Serve as primary procurement partner for Research & Early Development stakeholders
Build strong relationships with scientific leadership and business partners
Collaborate with Finance, Legal, Quality, and Operations teams

Supplier Management

Manage strategic supplier relationships
Conduct supplier evaluations and performance reviews
Optimize supplier base and risk mitigation strategies

Contracting & Negotiations

Lead complex sourcing events and contract negotiations
Develop sourcing strategies supporting business objectives
Manage RFPs, RFQs, and supplier selection processes

Operational Excellence

Support Source-to-Pay transformation initiatives
Ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures
Support internal and external audits

Ideal Candidate Profile

Biotech or Pharmaceutical procurement professional
Experience sourcing:
- Early Discovery Research
- Translational Biology
- Bioanalytical Sciences
- Preclinical Research Services
- Toxicology Services
- In-Vivo Animal Research
Strong supplier negotiation experience
Deep understanding of drug development lifecycle
Experience with SAP and Ariba
Strong stakeholder management skills