Associate Director, Category Management

About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, and neuroscience – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. Job Description The Associate Director leads implementation of procurement category strategy, developed in partnership with Category Directors and VP‑level business stakeholders. The role oversees the execution of the end‑to‑end procurement process for Medical Devices such as Auto Injectors, syringes, infusion sets, etc., and is responsible for developing team capabilities and assisting leadership in identifying workforce planning needs. Partner with Director/VP‑level business or functional stakeholders to develop category‑specific procurement strategies. Contribute to the development of a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the relevant category, incorporating category strategies that align with overall business goals. Relay insights and market intelligence from team analysis to Directors and Associate Directors to inform strategic decision‑making, remaining abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics. Manage strategic value drivers with key category suppliers to secure collaborative partnerships that challenge the status quo to achieve cost savings, optimize processes, and enhance overall procurement value. Manage and monitor supplier performance on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures, working alongside suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices. Enable Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies, driving innovation with key category suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting‑edge solutions to deliver on long‑term business needs. Implement mitigation strategies to proactively manage procurement risk across the relevant category, overseeing process and policy compliance. Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, managing and driving cross‑functional teams to deliver strategic category‑related projects. Implement opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long‑term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives. Assist with the end‑to‑end procurement process from sourcing strategy to contract negotiation and execution, enabling negotiations with category suppliers and facilitating decisions by conducting required analysis and preparation. Ensure effective business partnering with R&D and Operations leadership by engaging early in strategic planning, aligning procurement strategies with functional priorities, and delivering sourcing solutions that balance business needs, risk, cost, quality, and speed. Build trusted relationships, provide clear recommendations, and drive cross‑functional collaboration to support innovation, operational excellence, and enterprise value. Qualifications Specific and tactical expertise in category management, including market analysis, cost engineering, and financial assessment, ensuring strategic and informed procurement decisions. Ability to assist in negotiation and bidding, adept at implementing complex projects with a focus on effective change management. Strong capacity and experience building and managing collaborative supplier relationships, aligning procurement activities with business needs. Innovative problem‑solving skills combined with a solution‑oriented mindset, enabling creative approaches and influential communication without authority at all organizational levels. High cross‑functional collaboration abilities and teamwork skills, effectively navigating and coordinating diverse team dynamics. Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship‑building across a matrixed organization. Impactful executive functioning abilities and autonomous work ethic, maintaining efficient performance in challenging situations and building consensus in decision‑making. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or Engineering. Master’s degree is preferred. Minimum of 10 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related business or operations functions. Previous experience managing teams in a procurement function and leading supplier relationships. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Power Platform). Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is preferred. Key Stakeholders Business Leads, Business Partners, Category Leads, Procurement Leads/Managers, Procurement Strategy & Capabilities Office. Benefits and Compensation Competitive base pay range, based on job grade and location. Comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) for eligible employees. Eligibility to participate in long‑term incentive programs. Equal Opportunity Employment AbbVie is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled. #J-18808-Ljbffr AbbVie