AbbVie

Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement - API and Third Party Manufacturing

AbbVie$150K — $200K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years of strategic sourcing and procurement experience, preferably in pharmaceutical or life sciences
  • Demonstrated expertise in Third Party Manufacturing (TPM) procurement
  • Proven experience leading teams and managing complex category portfolios
  • Bachelor's degree required; preferred fields include science, business, finance, supply chain, or engineering
  • MBA or relevant MS / PhD degree strongly preferred
  • Professional certification in procurement or Six Sigma desirable
  • Experience with procurement systems like Coupa, SAP, or Ariba preferred

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the main point of accountability for all TPM categories to the VP of Operations Procurement and CPO
  • Lead global category strategies that balance execution speed, risk management, and value creation
  • Align category strategies with TPM business priorities for timely program delivery
  • Oversee procurement execution for the TPM portfolio, ensuring clear priorities and efficient resource deployment
  • Develop and execute Category Management Plans that drive measurable value and operational efficiency
  • Translate complex analyses into strategic insights and executive-ready recommendations
  • Act as a trusted partner to TPM leadership, ensuring procurement strategies align with innovation and business needs

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k)
  • Eligibility to participate in long-term incentive programs
Full Job Description
Job Description

Role Overview

The Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement - API and Third Party Manufacturing is a global leadership role responsible for setting and executing category strategy across all TPM categories. This position owns end-to-end category management and portfolio execution for TPM spend, ensuring speed, rigor, and scalability while enabling efficient delivery, operational continuity, and business growth.

As a key member of the Enterprise Procurement leadership team, this role serves as the single point of accountability for all TPM categories, partnering closely with TPM leaders, the Chief Procurement Officer, Procurement Leadership (R&D, Corporate, Commercial), and cross-functional stakeholders. The Senior Director leads a global team of category professionals and plays a central role in transforming procurement into a best-in-class organization-driving value, simplifying execution, and building durable capabilities that support both near-term portfolio needs and long-term growth.

Success in this role requires deep category expertise in TPM, a strong bias for collaborative and strategic action, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment where speed and quality of execution matter equally.

Key Responsibilities

Category & Portfolio Leadership
  • Serve as the single point of accountability to the VP of Operations Procurement and the CPO for all TPM categories.
  • Own and lead global category strategies that balance speed of execution, risk management, value creation, and long-term scalability.
  • Ensure category strategies are directly aligned to TPM business priorities and roadmap, enabling timely delivery of programs across development and operational stages.
  • Provide procurement oversight and execution leadership for the TPM portfolio, ensuring priorities are clear and resources are deployed where they matter most.

Strategy, Value & Execution
  • Lead the development and execution of robust Category Management Plans that deliver measurable value, synergies, and operational efficiency.
  • Drive continuous improvement across people, process, governance, systems integration, and reporting.
  • Translate complex analysis into clear strategic insights, financial impact, and executive-ready recommendations.
  • Maintain P&L accountability for the portfolio, including budget management, value delivery, and financial performance tracking.

Stakeholder Engagement & Alignment
  • Act as a trusted thought partner to TPM leadership, ensuring procurement strategies anticipate business needs and enable innovation and continuity rather than constrain it.
  • Proactively solicit feedback from internal customers and address gaps in service, execution, or alignment.
  • Build strong cross-functional partnerships grounded in transparency, accountability, and enterprise-first decision making.

People Leadership & Transformation
  • Lead, coach, and develop a global team of category managers, building deep capability and a strong succession pipeline.
  • Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture that encourages ownership, learning, collaboration, and constructive challenge.
  • Play a visible leadership role in transforming TPM Procurement; simplifying how work gets done, strengthening governance, and raising the bar on performance and professionalism.
  • Provide thought leadership, insights, and trends into advancements in TPM, digital transformation, and operational excellence.
  • Champion AbbVie's Ways We Work by modeling open dialogue, decisive leadership, adaptability, and accountability.

Metrics for Success
  • Category Management Plan quality and execution in support of the TPM portfolio
  • Delivery of people, process, governance, and value-creation goals
  • Achievement of operational budget and P&L commitments
  • Service level performance and internal customer satisfaction
  • Supplier performance across balanced scorecards
  • Organizational capability, engagement, and talent development


Qualifications
  • 12+ years of strategic sourcing and procurement experience; 5+ years in pharmaceutical or life sciences preferred or similar fast-paced industries
  • Demonstrated expertise in TPM procurement
  • Proven experience leading teams and complex category portfolios
  • Bachelor's degree required; background in science, business, finance, supply chain, engineering, or related field preferred
  • MBA or relevant MS / PhD degree strongly preferred
  • Professional certification in procurement, supply chain, or Six Sigma desirable
  • Experience with procurement systems such as Coupa, SAP and Ariba preferred
  • Strong understanding of procurement best practices and contract law; understanding of global complexities preferred
  • Prior experience with transformation initiatives and change management

Leadership Capabilities
  • Strategic thinker with a strong execution mindset and bias toward action
  • Exceptional communicator and influencer across functions, levels, and geographies
  • Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, make timely decisions, and adapt plans as priorities evolve
  • Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to quantify and communicate value
  • Culturally agile leader who values inclusion and thrives in a global organization


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 this posting 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 and until 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

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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
Net Income
$4.6 billion
Founded
2013
5 Year Trend
+17%
Revenue
$45.8 billion
NASDAQ

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