Associate Director, Category Management - Market Research, Data, Analytics

Job Description

The Associate Director, Category Management – Market Research Data & Analytics will serve as the primary strategic leader and stakeholder manager within Abb Vie’s Commercial Procurement team, overseeing the global Market Research Data & Analytics category. This leader will actively drive the development and execution of strategies related to commercial data, analytics, and data services. The role focuses on optimizing quality, unifying access, and streamlining analytics for a diverse set of pharma‑specific data, including sales, patient, prescriber, claims, and promotional analytics.

The position will partner closely with Abb Vie’s Analytics & Business Insights, IT, and cross‑functional procurement teams to deliver improved financial, operational, and marketing outcomes.

• Lead a team of category management professionals to create best‑in‑class strategies for commercial data and analytics procurement.
• Build comprehensive long‑range category strategies for sourcing and managing data sets such as sales data, physician and prescriber data, patient‑level claims data, promotional response data, and market analytics.
• Identify opportunities to improve data quality, unify access protocols, and streamline analytics workflows across business units, and work cross‑functionally to implement.
• Build constructive relationships with stakeholders in functions related to data governance and technology, driving alignment and influencing business strategy.
• Lead supplier segmentation, performance management and governance processes.
• Lead Supplier Relationship Management activities, driving innovation with key category suppliers and collaborate to co‑develop solutions that deliver on long‑term business needs. Work in partnership to host QBRs, conduct due diligence, evaluate service levels, and integrate business‑specific KPIs.
• Develop and activate mitigation strategies to proactively define and manage procurement risk.
• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing events (RFP/RFI/RFQ/Pricing Auctions), with support from a sourcing team, to identify and onboard data and analytics vendors in alignment with category strategies.
• Serve as lead for contract negotiations (MSAs, SOWs, JBPs), with support from a contracting team, factoring in business and compliance priorities, leveraging multiple data sources.
• Partner with related teams (legal, compliance, finance) to draft and execute contracts, ensuring risk mitigation, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to support innovation and transformation initiatives in commercial analytics.
• 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.
• Mentor Category Managers and Procurement Specialists, contributing to talent development and functional capability building.
• Implement short‑ and long‑term cost reduction strategies while operating with high ethical standards and in compliance with Abb Vie policies and procedures.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, analytics, supply chain, or related discipline (master’s preferred), OR 8 years equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in procurement, supply chain, or category management, specifically with commercial data or analytics in pharmaceuticals or healthcare.
• Demonstrated expertise managing supplier relationships and leading business reviews for data or analytics solutions.
• In‑depth understanding of pharma‑specific data types: sales tracking, patient and claims data, prescriber and physician analytics, promotional impact, and market research data.
• Solid understanding of industry dynamics, cost structures, compliance standards, and regulatory constraints for data and analytics.
• Strong executive communication and conversational skills.
• Strong communication and consensus‑building skills with mid‑to‑senior management and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Advanced project management ability to execute multiple strategic initiatives and drive results.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook); experience with relevant data…