Sr. Category Manager, R&D Procurement

Summary

The Procurement Manager is responsible for leading the creation, execution, and management of comprehensive global sourcing strategies for specified global spend categories within the scope of R&D. This individual will implement a strong procurement strategy within the group and ensure all team goals are met while developing talent. This individual will author and manage procurement plans and strategic sourcing initiatives across the organization.

• Extensive R&D and clinical support experience, including sourcing materials for clinical trials and managing supply readiness for new product development and commercial launches.
• Brings hands‑on R&D procurement experience including supporting Phase 1-3/4 clinical trials, and built GxP‑aligned supplier strategies. Understands how to work with researchers, CROs, and technical stakeholders in a fast‑moving biopharma environment.
• Deep experience with vendor management, contract manufacturer onboarding, supplier qualification, and strengthening long‑term partnerships across domestic and global suppliers
• Negotiating preferred partnership commercial terms such as rates, vol discounts, etc.

• Develop relationships with the internal customer base to better understand their procurement needs while leveraging best value through strategic sourcing opportunities. Educate and train the customer base on sourcing policies, processes, and systems.
• Demonstrate knowledge of R&D procurement categories, understanding of the relevant industries/markets, and leverage this experience to engage with senior stakeholders to help shape, assess, and source the company’s R&D requirements.
• Develop and agree on category sourcing strategies for R&D spend with senior stakeholders.
• Leverage the Global Procurement Strategic Relationship Management best practices to retain and enhance key R&D services with third parties, including strategic alignment, engagement, compliance, service escalations, delivery performance, assessment plans, risk management, and continuous improvement/value growth.
• Develop and deliver against performance goals (e.g. savings, cash flow, management monitoring, supplier diversity).
• Develop and implement systems and procedures that are aligned with organizational/site and corporate strategy objectives that will optimize the overall Procurement function performance for the business. Develop productive working relationships with Legal and Finance.
• Maximize adherence to and execution of corporate contracts and e-catalogs. Manage key supplier business relationships, tracking performance, reducing supply base, and improving supplier performance while enhancing site compliance via key supplier spend.
• Lead category level sourcing initiatives and teams, executing RFIs/RFQs/RFPs, supplier qualification process, supplier analysis, total cost analysis, negotiation of contractual terms, and supplier selection. Assist in corporate level sourcing efforts and meet all cost savings goals.

• Bachelors in life sciences or business major required.
• 5-8 years of experience in procurement and sourcing or closely related.
• Good understanding of the pharmaceutical research and development process.
• Proven RFx experience in a cross functional environment.
• Proven track record of delivering tangible results in a global complex/decentralizing environment.
• Extensive experience in managing cross-functional teams.
• Extensive experience in working with multiple teams and projects simultaneously.

• Involvement in a purchasing related professional organization a plus.
• CPM a plus.

• The candidate will be a leader, with broad awareness of resources and best practices in strategic sourcing.
• Self‑directed with an ability to network and identify strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Strong project management and operations skills.
• Previous experience with management of services (internal and outsourced) is a strong plus.
• High attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple critical path projects concurrently.
• Ability to develop, implement and monitor a metrics performance package for sourcing…