Director, Direct Procurement & Category Management

Director, Direct Procurement & Category ManagementAt Accendra Health, we understand that healthcare is complex, and we're here to make it easier. We help deliver care beyond traditional settings, making essential products and services more accessible through every stage of life. As part of the care team, our teammates play a critical role in delivering personalized, long-term care for the patients we serve.With deep expertise promoting health outside the hospital and a presence in communities nationwide through our Apria and Byram Healthcare brands, Accendra Health does more than just deliver the essentials.If you're interested in meaningful work with impact, explore our career opportunities and join us in our purpose of Bringing Care To Life™.The Director, Direct Procurement & Category Management is responsible for developing and executing enterprise-wide sourcing and category strategies for direct materials, components, raw materials, contract manufacturing, finished goods, packaging, and other production-related spend categories that directly impact product availability, quality, patient outcomes, and organizational profitability.This role provides strategic leadership for supplier management, supply continuity, category strategy, risk management, quality collaboration, cost optimization, and long-range supply planning. The Director partners closely with Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, Product Management, and Finance leadership to ensure reliable supply and sustainable business growth.Within a healthcare products environment, the Director plays a critical role in ensuring the availability of medically necessary products while maintaining compliance, quality standards, supply resilience, and regulatory integrity.The anticipated salary range for this position is $140k - $200k annual. The actual compensation offered may vary based on job related factors such as experience, skills, education and location.Direct Procurement StrategyDevelop and execute long-term direct procurement and category strategies that support manufacturing, product supply, business growth, and customer commitments.Align procurement strategies with operational, commercial, quality, regulatory, and financial objectives.Lead strategic planning for critical raw materials, components, packaging, finished goods, and contract manufacturing categories.Establish sourcing strategies that ensure security of supply, quality performance, cost competitiveness, and scalability.Supply Assurance & Business ContinuityLead supply continuity strategies for critical healthcare products and production inputs.Develop dual-sourcing, risk mitigation, inventory, and capacity planning strategies to minimize operational disruption.Monitor supplier markets, global supply risks, geopolitical developments, and industry trends impacting product supply.Ensure proactive response planning for shortages, disruptions, recalls, and market volatility.Category LeadershipOversee category strategy development and execution across direct spend categories.Drive category optimization through market intelligence, supplier segmentation, should-cost modeling, and total-cost analyses.Identify new sourcing opportunities that support innovation, product development, and operational efficiency.Lead complex strategic sourcing initiatives and executive-level commercial negotiations.Supplier Relationship ManagementEstablish executive relationships with strategic suppliers and manufacturing partners.Lead supplier governance programs focused on performance, innovation, quality, capacity, and long-term business alignment.Conduct executive business reviews with critical suppliers.Collaborate with suppliers to improve service, responsiveness, product quality, and innovation.Quality, Regulatory & Compliance PartnershipPartner with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and Operations leadership to ensure supplier compliance with applicable standards and requirements.Support supplier qualification, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.Ensure sourcing strategies align with healthcare quality standards, regulatory requirements, and patient safety expectations.Participate in supplier escalation, remediation, and recovery activities as needed.Financial Performance & Value CreationDrive value creation through cost optimization, productivity initiatives, specification management, demand planning alignment, and supplier innovation.Support margin improvement objectives while maintaining quality and supply continuity requirements.Develop executive reporting, forecasting, and analytics related to spend, supplier performance, risk, and value realization.Lead negotiations involving long-term agreements, strategic partnerships, pricing structures, and capacity commitments.Leadership & Organizational DevelopmentLead and develop category managers, sourcing managers, and procurement professionals.Build procurement capabilities in strategic sourcing, supplier management, risk management, analytics, negotiation, and leadership.Establish a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, innovation, and execution excellence.Promote enterprise thinking and cross-functional partnership throughout the organization.What Success Looks LikeCritical products and materials are available to support customer and patient needs.Supplier networks are resilient, scalable, cost competitive, and aligned with growth objectives.Category strategies support innovation, operational performance, and long-term profitability.Risks are identified early and mitigated effectively.Supplier partnerships deliver measurable quality, service, and innovation improvements.Procurement is recognized as a strategic enabler of business success and supply continuity.Demonstrated Leadership CompetenciesStrategic MindsetBusiness InsightDrives Vision and PurposeDecision QualityPlans and AlignsManages ComplexityOrganizational SavvyDevelops TalentCollaboratesPersuadesInstills TrustDrives ResultsResourcefulnessRequired Years/Type of Experience:Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, Life Sciences, Healthcare Administration, Finance, or related field required.Master's degree preferred.10+ years progressive procurement, sourcing, category management, supply chain, manufacturing, healthcare products, medical device, pharmaceutical, biotech, or related experience.5+ years of leadership experience managing procurement or category management teams.Demonstrated success leading direct material sourcing strategies and supplier management programs.Experience supporting manufacturing, healthcare products, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biologics, diagnostics, or distribution environments strongly preferred.Strong knowledge of category management, supplier risk management, quality systems, supply continuity planning, contracting, and commercial negotiations.Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and lead enterprise-wide initiatives.Preferred Qualifications:Experience leading enterprise procurement transformation initiatives.Strong executive stakeholder management and influencing skills.Demonstrated expertise in supplier risk management, contract negotiation, and category strategy development.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIESTechnical / Job Knowledge:Strategic sourcing and category management methodologies.Supplier relationship management and supplier performance programs.Direct materials procurement and manufacturing supply chains.Contract negotiation and commercial strategy.Supplier risk management, business continuity planning, and quality systems.Cost management, financial analysis, and value creation methodologies.Computer / Systems Skills:ERP and procurement systems.Supplier management and sourcing platforms.Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.Reporting and analytics tools.Communication / Leadership Skills:Executive-level communication and presentation skills.Strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities.Team leadership, coaching, and talent development.Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive alignment.Strong negotiation and relationship management skillsOther