Global Category Manager, Commercial

Location: Northern

## Global Category Manager, Commercial Apply:
US - Field:
Full time:
Posted Yesterday:
R92696
** Life Unlimited.
** At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.  The Global Category Manager, Commercial is responsible for leading global category strategies across assigned commercial spend portfolios and serving as a trusted strategic business partner to senior stakeholders across Commercial, Marketing, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Sales Excellence, Customer Experience, Finance, Legal, and other key functions.  This role operates at an enterprise level, translating business priorities, market dynamics, supplier capabilities, and risk considerations into multi-year category strategies that deliver measurable business value.

The successful candidate combines commercial expertise, strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and supplier relationship management to optimize value, manage risk, accelerate innovation, and enhance stakeholder experience.  As a member of the Global Procurement team, you will lead strategic sourcing initiatives, develop category roadmaps, influence senior leaders without formal authority, and manage strategic supplier relationships that support commercial growth, customer engagement, digital transformation, and operational excellence.

You will also play a visible role in procurement transformation initiatives, digital enablement programs, and continuous improvement efforts that advance Smith+Nephew's strategic priorities.  
** What Will You Be Doing?*
* ** Category Strategy & Value Delivery*
* * Lead the development, execution, and continuous evolution of global category strategies across assigned commercial categories and supplier portfolios.
* Translate business requirements, market intelligence, supplier insights, and enterprise priorities into actionable category roadmaps.
* Identify and implement value creation opportunities that improve cost efficiency, supplier performance, innovation, customer engagement, risk management, sustainability, and business outcomes.
* Develop and maintain Finance-validated savings pipelines, value plans, and business cases aligned with enterprise objectives.
* Ensure category strategies are integrated into annual business planning and commercial priorities.
* Provide category expertise and strategic recommendations that support enterprise decision-making.
* Monitor market trends, emerging technologies, and supplier innovations to identify competitive advantages and growth opportunities.  
** Strategic Business Partnering*
* * Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic business partner to senior stakeholders across Commercial, Marketing, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Sales Excellence, Customer Experience, Finance, Legal, and other functions.
* Build strong and collaborative relationships that position Procurement as a strategic enabler of growth.
* Influence priorities and decisions through data-driven insights, market intelligence, and structured recommendations.
* Constructively challenge business decisions to appropriately balance value, risk, speed, compliance, and strategic outcomes.
* Facilitate alignment among global, regional, and functional stakeholders to accelerate execution and decision-making.
* Act as a procurement ambassador, promoting best practices and enabling business success through strategic partnerships.  
** Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Excellenc
** e  
* Lead complex sourcing initiatives, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contracting activities.
* Design sourcing strategies and commercial models aligned with business priorities and category objectives.
* Lead negotiations involving pricing, agency models, digital solutions, marketing services, customer engagement platforms, data services, intellectual property, and contractual risk.
* Structure and negotiate complex supplier agreements while ensuring compliance with enterprise governance standards.
* Partner with Legal and business stakeholders to create contracts that effectively balance value creation and risk mitigation.
* Drive sourcing excellence through competitive market assessments, supplier benchmarking, and best-in-class procurement methodologies.  
** Supplier Relationship Managemen
** t  
* Manage strategic supplier relationships within assigned portfolios.
* Establish governance frameworks and performance management processes that drive accountability and continuous improvement.
* Collaborate with suppliers to identify innovation opportunities that…