Category Manager R&D services

Description This position can be based in either St. Louis, MO, or Salt Lake City, UT, and offers a hybrid schedule (50% onsite, 50% remote). The Category Manager R&D services is responsible for building, leading, and deploying the global sourcing strategy for a newly created portfolio of R&D‑related services. This role establishes category definitions, develops short‑ and long‑term category strategies, aligns with scientific and technical leaders across R&D franchises, and ensures effective implementation through project buyers or direct execution depending on the scope. The role benefits from strong and active support from Procurement leadership, ensuring guidance, sponsorship, and visibility throughout the organization. The Category Manager will operate in a matrix R&D organization structured by technology franchises (e.g., Microbiology, Immunoassays, Sequencing, Molecular Biology), each involving cross‑functional development domains (Hardware, Software, Biosciences, etc.). Outsourcing topics may apply simultaneously to several franchises or to transversal R&D disciplines, requiring strong coordination, influence, and category governance. The role is also backed by explicit endorsement and continuous engagement from R&D Executive Leadership, providing strategic alignment, easier access to key decision‑makers, and a highly supportive environment for driving change. Primary Duties Define and structure the Global R&D Services category, including detailed sub‑categories such as hardware engineering, systems development, biosciences, clinical affairs, and project management services. Deploy a category management approach covering a wide portfolio of R&D services across regions and franchises. Analyze internal demand, R&D operating models, and supplier markets to identify opportunities, risks, consolidation levers, and innovation potential. Design, maintain, and implement comprehensive category strategies, including segmentation, outsourcing models, preferred supplier frameworks, sourcing methodologies, and innovation roadmaps. Co‑define short‑ and long‑term outsourcing strategies with internal stakeholders to support the evolution and transformation of R&D practices. Ensure full alignment with R&D leadership, franchise heads, functional stakeholders, and global procurement policies while integrating new Group R&D requirements. Design, standardize, and deploy outsourcing methodologies across global R&D teams (decision frameworks, operating models, processes, templates). Promote consistency and harmonization of outsourcing practices across franchises, ensuring fit‑for‑purpose contracting models and supplier selection approaches. Act as the primary procurement counterpart for global R&D leaders across all franchises. Represent Procurement in cross‑functional working groups, ensuring a deep understanding of stakeholder needs and translating them into actionable sourcing strategies. Facilitate cross‑franchise alignment on outsourcing needs, sourcing strategies, contracting models, and preferred supplier lists. Lead category governance routines, including decision‑making forums, alignment reviews, and leadership touchpoints. Foster a collaborative, value‑driven sourcing culture within global R&D. Lead complex and strategic sourcing initiatives spanning multiple projects, franchises, or transversal R&D domains. Support and guide Project Buyers for project‑specific or franchise‑specific sourcing activities. Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to enrich the R&D supply base and address emerging needs. Develop, negotiate, and manage MSAs, framework agreements, and rate card structures when relevant. Ensure supplier compliance with quality, regulatory, ethical, and CSR requirements. Establish and lead supplier performance monitoring and governance, including KPIs, service level agreements, business reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement plans. Oversee supplier innovation pipelines and assess emerging capabilities to support evolving R&D priorities. Support corporate procurement objectives related to performance, CSR, responsible sourcing, and eco‑design, ensuring their consistent deployment at supplier level. Drive alignment with company sustainability strategy and contribute to Scope 3 reduction initiatives where applicable. Conduct ongoing market intelligence across R&D services ecosystems. Perform supplier and industry benchmarks to identify trends, opportunities, disruptions, and best practices. Translate insights into actionable category enhancements and long‑term strategies. Ensure effective execution of category strategies across all R&D franchises, with robust governance and operational discipline. Establish R&D‑specific sourcing processes, templates, governance models, and workflow standards to reinforce procurement excellence. Track and report category performance (savings, quality, service levels, risk mitigation, innovation, CSR metrics) to Procurement and R&D leadership. Support make‑or‑buy evaluations, risk assessments, and full contract lifecycle management. Build and collaborate with cross‑functional project teams to secure efficient deployment of category and sourcing strategies. Ensure new Group R&D requirements are embedded into supplier strategies, contract models, and sourcing decisions. Perform all work in compliance with company quality procedures and standards. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance or similar degrees required. Or HS Diploma/GED and 4 years of additional experience in Procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing. 7+ years of experience in Procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing required. Preferred Experience Master’s degree preferred. Experience in Procurement/Strategic Sourcing, preferably in a corporate and global environment in biotech, technical, or medical industry. Experience working with R&D teams or dual technical/business background. Practical experience in procurement of indirect services in a technical background, change management projects, global and multi‑site/organization strategy deployment, top management presentations, and reporting. Skilled at listening internal stakeholders, engaging them in a procurement approach, proposing solutions, and implementing a clear procurement vision. Knowledge of SAP & Jaggaer. Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Consistently upholds and reflects the core ethical principles and values that bioMérieux promotes. Effective Presentation Skills – including the ability to present technical data. Demonstrates assertiveness and confidence in the face of a challenge. Creativity in forming new ideas, solutions, and approaches to challenges; to think outside‑the‑box. Analyze data and make decisions/recommendations, using data to guide decision‑making and provide suggestions for improvement. Collect and analyze data to drive informed decision‑making to improve performance and identify issues. Advanced skills in MS Office tools to include but not limited to Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (active listening, collaboration, ability to influence, etc.). Ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams. Travel Requirements Approximately 25% domestic travel and 5% international travel, including overseas trips twice per year. Salary and Benefits The estimated salary range for this role based in Missouri or Utah is between $127,500 – $163,700. This role is eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and individual performance per bioMerieux’s bonus program. This range may differ from ranges offered for similar positions elsewhere in the country given differences in cost of living. Actual compensation within this range is determined based on the successful candidate’s experience and will be presented in writing at the time of the offer. In addition, bioMérieux offers a competitive Total Rewards package that may include: A choice of medical (including prescription), dental, and vision plans providing nationwide coverage and telemedicine options. Company‑Provided Life and Accidental Death Insurance. Short and Long‑Term Disability Insurance. Retirement Plan including a generous non‑discretionary employer contribution and employer match. Adoption Assistance. Wellness Programs. Employee Assistance Program. Commuter Benefits. Various voluntary benefit offerings. Discount programs. Parental leaves. Equal Opportunity Statement BioMérieux Inc. and its affiliates are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Please be advised that the receipt of satisfactory responses to reference requests and the provision of satisfactory proof of an applicant’s identity and legal authorization to work in the United States are required of all new hires. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or material omission may result in the failure to receive an offer, the retraction of an offer, or if already hired, dismissal. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation in BioMérieux’s or its affiliates’ application process by contacting us via telephone, email, or by dialing 711 for access to Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). #J-18808-Ljbffr bioMérieux