Category Manager, Indirect

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals • Malvern, PA

5d • $111,000 - $178,000

About The Position

The Strategic Sourcing Category Manager, Indirect develops, implements, and manages enterprise-wide sourcing and category strategies across indirect spend categories including Commercial, Information Technology, Corporate Services, Legal, Operations, Human Resources, and Professional Services. The role partners strategically with functional leaders, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Global Procurement to create value through sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.

The position identifies and executes cost reduction, cost avoidance, supplier innovation, and process optimization opportunities that support financial and operational objectives. It works with Finance and business leaders to establish annual savings targets, develop category strategies, and contribute to enterprise-wide cost management. The role has enterprise-wide indirect spend scope and is accountable for category strategy implementation, supplier selection and performance management, contracting, and delivery of savings and value creation initiatives. It has no direct reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Life Sciences, or Business.
• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Category Management, or Supply Chain Management.
• 4–6 years of experience leading cross-functional teams in developing and executing sourcing and category management strategies.
• Experience managing one or more indirect spend categories, such as Commercial, Marketing, IT, Legal, Facilities, HR, Professional Services, Logistics, MRO, or Capital Projects.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders, including Directors, Vice Presidents, and functional leadership teams, to align sourcing strategies with business objectives.
• Demonstrated success negotiating and managing MSAs, SOWs, Professional Services Agreements, Technology Agreements, Marketing and Agency Contracts, and other commercial agreements.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple complex projects.
• Experience using procurement, contract lifecycle management (CLM), supplier management, and spend analytics platforms.
• Strong knowledge of category management and strategic sourcing methodologies, including the Seven-Step Strategic Sourcing Process.
• Knowledge of indirect procurement categories and supplier markets within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry.
• Understanding of supplier relationship management, supplier performance management, and contract lifecycle management.
• Strong knowledge of spend analytics, total cost of ownership (TCO), and financial modeling principles.
• Understanding of commercial risk management and contract negotiation strategies.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems, procurement technologies, and reporting tools.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to lead complex sourcing initiatives and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Ability to translate market intelligence and spend data into actionable business recommendations.
• Results-oriented approach and a strong continuous improvement mindset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and related business systems.
• Ability to work in an office environment and participate in virtual and in-person meetings with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Ability to travel domestically periodically; travel is 10–20%.

Nice To Haves

• An MBA or other advanced degree.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, or another highly regulated industry.
• Experience with Coupa, Fairmarkit, Ariba, Ivalua, Jaggaer, SAP, IntelAgree, or similar solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business priorities and measurable value across assigned spend categories.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing events, including spend analysis, market assessments, supplier qualification, RFx development, proposal evaluation, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract execution.
• Establish annual savings and value creation objectives with business stakeholders and realize cost reduction, cost avoidance, supplier innovation, and process improvement opportunities.
• Analyze market conditions, supplier capabilities, pricing trends, and competitive benchmarks to support sourcing decisions.
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Finance, Information Security, and business stakeholders to execute agreements and manage supplier risk.
• Partner with suppliers and business stakeholders to identify innovation opportunities that improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency, commercial effectiveness, and business performance.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Use procurement systems, contract lifecycle management tools, and spend analytics platforms to drive procurement excellence.
• Build trusted relationships with business stakeholders and advise them on sourcing, supplier management, and procurement best practices.
• Understand business objectives, priorities, and future requirements to proactively support organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships focused on performance, innovation, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead supplier business reviews, performance evaluations, issue resolution activities, and supplier development initiatives.
• Coordinate supplier assessments, site visits, and demonstrations as needed.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives involving Finance, Legal, Compliance, IT, Operations, Commercial, Human Resources, and other business functions.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits as part of a Total Rewards package.
• Eligible for a bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable program; bonuses are awarded at the Company’s discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior