Supplier Development Specialist: Dairy Innovation and Business Development

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of .
• Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

Abbott Nutrition is seeking a Dairy Innovation Supplier Development Specialist to join our Global Dairy Procurement Innovation & Supplier Development team. In this role, you’ll help strengthen and future‑proof Abbott’s dairy ingredient supply chain, partnering globally to deliver high‑quality, resilient ingredient solutions that support our Infant, Adult, and Medical Nutrition portfolios.

What You’ll Work On

• Support supplier development and ingredient innovation initiatives to improve supply resiliency and front‑end supplier readiness
• Represent Dairy on prioritized ingredient qualification and innovation projects in partnership with Category Managers and the Ingredient Center of Excellence
• Conduct upfront ingredient pre‑qualification screening, including issuing technical RFIs, reviewing specifications, ingredient characterization, and assessing technical risk
• Facilitate and support the Technical Review Board (TRB) and Design for Manufacturing processes
• Lead and support ingredient manufacturing performance improvement programs, including root cause analysis and supply change assessments
• Accelerate supplier onboarding by leading agriculture and nutrition ingredient qualification projects and maintaining qualification roadmaps and readiness checklists
• Drive manufacturing and procurement cost‑saving initiatives through cost/benefit analysis and data‑driven recommendations
• Build and maintain strong technical relationships with ingredient suppliers and external research partners
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with R&D, Medical, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to ensure compliant, high‑quality ingredient supply

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Dairy Science & Technology, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Business, or a related field
• 2–3 years of experience in technical, manufacturing, dairy, or ingredient‑focused roles
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic, cross‑functional environment
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to make data‑driven decisions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information for non‑technical audiences
• Proven problem‑solving skills with strong attention to detail and organizational ability
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally

Preferred Qualifications

• PMO qualification or project management experience
• Lean Six Sigma Certification and experience with Root Cause Analysis and data analytics
• Experience collaborating across functions such as R&D, Manufacturing, Legal, Logistics, Purchasing, and Supply Planning
• Familiarity with ingredient qualification, supplier development, or manufacturing performance improvement programs
• Demonstrated ability to influence, build relationships, and represent the organization with external suppliers and industry partners

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

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The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.]]><