Regional Category Manager, Market Research

AstraZeneca • Wilmington, DE

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Commercial Americas Procurement team as Regional Category Manager, Market Research, managing the Market Research spend category across the Americas. The role leads implementation of the regional category plan and shapes procurement and sourcing strategies to align with current and future business needs. It works with business stakeholders and suppliers to optimize how Market Research services are sourced and delivered, applying commercial insight, procurement expertise, and market knowledge to create value.

The role includes developing sourcing strategies for qualitative, quantitative, syndicated, and custom research; negotiating commercial and service terms; monitoring supplier capabilities and market dynamics; and incorporating data quality, privacy, compliance, and sustainability considerations into category and supplier strategies. The position also supports change across the category while navigating risk, ambiguity, and evolving business requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 5 years of experience, including Procurement, Category Management, and/or Supply Chain experience.
• Oral and written proficiency in Business English.
• Strong analytical and financial skills.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to influence others.
• Supplier and/or Project Management experience, including the ability to drive negotiations to closure under time constraints.
• Ability to use a range of influencing techniques across different partner groups.
• Proven track record of successfully managing change.
• Comfort navigating risk, complexity, and ambiguous situations.
• Familiarity with methodologies and suppliers related to market analysis, including qualitative and quantitative research, primary and secondary research, and syndicated data providers.
• Understanding of Market Research considerations, including respondent quality, data privacy, and compliance.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Procurement Qualification.
• Experience with Market Research, Financial, or other Professional Services procurement categories.
• Strong working knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry or related industries.
• Significant experience in Category Management.
• Strong experience reaching effective agreements with stakeholders, including on rates, licensing and data usage rights, panel/sample acquisition, and deliverable timelines.

Responsibilities

• Manage implementation of the Market Research regional category plan across the Americas, aligning execution with business priorities and category strategies.
• Advise on and drive purchasing and supply approaches, including competitive bids, quotations, proposals, and supplier negotiations.
• Build and manage positive relationships with business partners and strategic suppliers to support category execution.
• Lead category initiatives that deliver value in cost, service, quality, and supplier performance.
• Lead negotiations with strategic suppliers on rates, service levels (SLAs), licensing and data usage rights, panel/sample acquisition, and deliverable timelines.
• Incorporate data quality, data privacy, compliance, and sustainability considerations into category and supplier strategies.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for qualitative, quantitative, syndicated, and custom research.
• Partner with business stakeholders and suppliers to optimize panel sourcing, respondent/sample quality, and insight delivery timelines.
• Monitor supplier capabilities and market dynamics to ensure the supply base can support evolving business and category needs.
• Support and lead category change while navigating risk, ambiguity, and evolving business requirements.

Benefits

• Eligibility for short-term incentive bonuses.
• Equity-based awards for salaried roles.
• Qualified retirement programs.
• Paid time off, including vacation, holiday, and leaves.
• Health coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, with a commitment to lifelong learning, growth, and development.

What This Job Offers

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