Global Category Lead, Full-Service CRO - Associate Director, Global Procurement R&D

Amgen•Newark, NJ

11d

About The Position

Amgen is seeking a Global Category Manager to lead the global category strategy for Full-Service CRO. The role develops multi-year category strategies that address business needs and achieve best-practice outcomes, builds enterprise-wide business partnerships, and activates Procurement resources to deliver strategic sourcing results, reduce costs, and enable top-line performance. The position analyzes internal demand, external market data, spend, and specifications to develop category plans aligned with business objectives and sourcing and cost-reduction initiatives. The role provides strategic oversight for sourcing across fully outsourced clinical trials, including ClinPharm, Phases I–IV, observational research, and studies inherited through M&A activity. It manages supplier performance, risk, and sustained value across a complex global professional-services landscape. The Category Lead partners with R&D and other functions, guides complex negotiations and supplier governance, and ensures procurement activity aligns with regulatory, contractual, operational, and organizational requirements.

Requirements

Doctorate degree and 3 years of Global Strategic Sourcing or Procurement experience; or Master’s degree and 5 years; or Bachelor’s degree and 7 years; or Associate’s degree and 12 years; or high school diploma/GED and 14 years.
Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
Strong analytical skills, including ability to analyze large datasets, identify trends, and derive actionable insights.
Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex global projects in a matrixed environment.
Global category management experience with a record of executive business partnering, leading change, and enterprise activation of sourcing initiatives informed by marketplace expertise.
Deep understanding of category management principles, supplier relationship management, and contract lifecycle management.
Strong financial, legal, and contractual fluency to navigate sales services agreements and deliver business-aligned outcomes.
Exceptional ability to communicate complex category strategies, influence senior stakeholders, and manage change across functions and regions.
Ability to leverage spend analytics and benchmarking to inform category strategies and identify value opportunities.
Understanding of regulatory landscapes and ability to navigate and manage compliance requirements.
Ability to partner closely with Legal, Compliance, Cybersecurity, and Regulatory Affairs.
Strong contractual and regulatory navigation skills for healthcare technology agreements.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with procurement platforms such as Ariba, ERP systems, and advanced analytics tools for decision-making and process automation.
Familiarity with compliance frameworks such as 21 CFR Part 11, GxP, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Extensive experience with and knowledge of the global vendor landscape supporting clinical trials, including CROs, SMOs, AMCs, and CRO-adjacent vendors.
A track record of driving innovation in category strategy development, supplier engagement models, and internal stakeholder partnerships.

Responsibilities

Lead category management and global category strategy for Full-Service CRO, supporting fully outsourced clinical trials across ClinPharm, Phases I–IV, observational research, and inherited studies resulting from M&A activity.
Partner with R&D, Clinical, Regulatory, and Compliance teams to align sourcing and supplier activity with FDA, EMA, HIPAA, and GCP standards.
Negotiate vendor contracts, amendments, commercial terms, rates, and discounts for fully outsourced clinical trials while balancing innovation, compliance, and risk.
Partner with Program Leads, Study Teams, and R&D Supplier Governance to establish and support supplier governance frameworks, drive delivery and performance, and resolve issues effectively and promptly.
Monitor market trends and intelligence, including evolving digital health regulations, and incorporate compliance, quality, and risk mitigation into sourcing strategies.
Provide strategic oversight of the Full-Service CRO category and sourcing, ensuring category strategies align with Amgen’s evolving business needs and broader organizational objectives.
Facilitate collaboration among cross-functional teams and regional stakeholders, ensuring procurement strategies meet organizational needs and are implemented effectively.
Ensure procurement activities supporting Full-Service CRO comply with regulatory, contractual, and operational risk requirements.
Partner with Legal, Compliance, Data Privacy, and Cybersecurity teams on risk oversight and mitigation strategies and alignment with best practices.
Collaborate with Global Procurement colleagues and stakeholders on complex CRO MSA and amendment negotiations, and support study-level agreements and purchase orders as needed.
Provide guidance and ensure appropriate processes and frameworks are in place for RFPs, supplier evaluations, and contract development.
Activate Procurement resources and facilitate delegation of sourcing activities to advance category priorities, manage stakeholder expectations, and mitigate risk on behalf of Amgen.
Analyze internal demand, external market data, spend, and specifications to create category plans aligned with business objectives and sourcing and cost-reduction initiatives.

Benefits

Retirement and Savings Plan with company contributions
Group medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Discretionary annual bonus program, or a sales-based incentive plan for field sales representatives
Stock-based long-term incentives
Award-winning time-off plans
Flexible work models where possible
Career development opportunities