Sr Category Manager, Manufacturing, GSP

About Technical Operations

Bio Marin’s Technical Operations group is responsible for creating our drugs for use in clinical trials and for scaling production of those drugs for the commercial market. These engineers, technicians, scientists and support staff build and maintain Bio Marin’s cutting‑edge manufacturing processes and sites, provide quality assurance and quality control to ensure we meet regulatory standards, and procure the needed goods and services to support manufacturing and coordinating the worldwide movement of our drugs to patients.

This Senior Category Manager role is responsible for strategic sourcing and category management of a defined segment within Bio Marin’s external contract manufacturing spend, such as Drug Substance (API), Drug Product (Fill‑Finish), or Packaging within the broader CDMO/CMO network. In this role, you will own category strategy development and execution for your assigned sub‑category, driving value through cost optimization, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and supply continuity.

You will operate as a key interface between Procurement and Technical Operations, partnering closely with External Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure sourcing strategies are aligned with technical and regulatory requirements.

This position requires a mix of hands‑on sourcing execution and category strategy development, with increasing ownership of complex sourcing initiatives and supplier relationships.

• Strategic Sourcing Leadership – Develop and execute category strategies for a defined external manufacturing sub‑category (e.g., Drug Substance, Drug Product, or Packaging). Lead end‑to‑end sourcing initiatives, including RFx development, supplier evaluation, negotiations, and contracting. Support make‑vs‑buy decisions, capacity strategy, and supplier selection in alignment with pipeline and commercial needs.
• CDMO Vendor Management and Due Diligence – Conduct rigorous CDMO selection due diligence covering technical capabilities, regulatory compliance, quality systems, IP ownership structures, and capacity planning. Evaluate CDMO partners on specialized capabilities including biologics manufacturing, sterile injectables, and advanced modalities, ensuring alignment with Bio Marin’s pipeline requirements.
• Contract Negotiations and Commercial Terms – Lead contract negotiations with CDMO/CMO partners, establishing commercial terms, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), technology transfer protocols, and IP protections. Structure risk‑adjusted governance frameworks that protect Bio Marin’s interests while enabling collaborative partnerships.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration – Partner closely with External Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Technical Development Services, and Regulatory teams to ensure category strategies align with technical requirements, regulatory standards, and business objectives. Bridge the gap between strategic sourcing and operational reality, ensuring identified savings reach the bottom line.
• Supply Chain Resilience and Risk Mitigation – Build diversified and resilient supplier networks that mitigate geopolitical risks, capacity constraints, and supply disruptions. Implement dual‑sourcing strategies, strategic inventory buffers, and supply chain regionalization to reduce single‑market dependencies while maintaining lean operations.
• Market Intelligence and Category Expertise – Maintain deep market knowledge of the CDMO landscape, including emerging technologies, capacity availability, pricing trends, and competitive dynamics. Monitor regulatory changes, sustainability requirements (especially Scope 3 emissions), and compliance demands to ensure procurement strategies remain ahead of industry shifts.
• Stakeholder Management and Executive Reporting – Present sourcing strategies, supplier performance metrics, cost savings achievements, and risk assessments to executive leadership. Serve as the strategic thought‑partner for Bio Marin’s Global External Operations and Network Strategy organizations.

• 5+ years of progressive experience in sourcing, procurement, or category management,…