Senior Category Manager, Early Research & Development, Sourcing , San Rafael, California,Full Time (MK)

Central Business Solutions•San Rafael, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Early Research & Development Senior Category Manager is an individual contributor role within the Global Sourcing and Procurement (GSP) organization, reporting to the Associate Director of R&D Services. This role is part of the Indirect Procurement function and focuses on supporting the Worldwide Research & Development organization, specifically the Research and Early Development (RED) organization. The function covers a broad range of Preclinical sciences and includes external support needs in both GLP and non-GLP environments. The Senior Category Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing industry-leading procurement practices, building strong stakeholder relationships, and driving innovation and continuous improvement. This role will also provide mentoring and professional development to colleagues and cultivate long-term strategic goals aligned with business requirements, focusing on financial rigor and cost savings. The primary focus is on developing and executing category strategies in Early Research and Development, including Preclinical Research Services, Bioanalytical and Translational Sciences, In-Vivo Animal Research and Toxicology, and Academic Research and Independently Sponsored Research. The role requires collaboration with other category managers to ensure alignment on related services and overlapping suppliers, and to align early development outsourcing strategies with downstream activities in Clinical R&D or GMP environments. Close collaboration with category leaders across GSP is essential to support and optimize Worldwide Research and Development and Technical Operations laboratories.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience with sourcing and procurement in the pharmaceutical industry, including the regulations associated with the pharmaceutical industry.
Specific knowledge and expertise in sourcing pre-clinical services and research services.
Solid understanding of the drug development process and early research requirements for pre-IND candidates.
Experience and knowledge related to drug life cycle, supporting the business in critical downstream elements that should be considered during external R&D for clinical or GMP use.
Strong people management and team leadership experience.
Experience in supplier management and complex contract negotiations.
Results-driven mindset and capabilities.
Excellent communicator and interpersonal skills with comfort working cross-functionally to gather information and resolve conflicts.
Motivated, high-energy, curious, self-starter and strong business mindset.
Experience with procurement technology, preference for Ariba/ SAP.
Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management or related field.
Scientific degree and MBA / post-graduate qualifications in a related field would be an advantage.
Area of Specialization: Sourcing & Procurement, research and development/ scientific sourcing experience.
Extensive experience in procurement and R&D management in a global capacity, preferably within the pharmaceutical sector.
8+ years of experience in Procurement/ Sourcing/ Supply Chain.
Knowledge of Procurement tools such as sourcing, request for proposal management, quotation analysis, contract negotiation, supplier review, supplier development and others; specific expertise with Ariba and SAP preferred.
Demonstrated expertise in managing in scope categories, particularly category strategy development and implementation, stakeholder management and supplier relationship management.
In-depth understanding of external environment and supplier relationship models.
Strong knowledge of finance (cost benchmark, financial audit with key suppliers) and legal matters (contracting).
Clear understanding of business value, business priorities, and potential implementation risks.
Significant experience working in a matrix (global/ regional) business environment.
Strong networking skills and a proven ability to build productive and collaborative relationships with stakeholders and business partners.
Strong analytical, written and verbal communications, and influencing skills.
Ability to work in high pressure environment, often under tight deadlines.
Candidate commits to be onsite in San Rafael, CA every week - Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Nice To Haves

Scientific degree and MBA / post-graduate qualifications in a related field would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

Support development and implementation of industry leading procurement practices.
Develop deep relationships with stakeholders.
Drive innovation and continuous improvement in the ways of working.
Provide mentoring and management to ensure colleague engagement and professional development.
Cultivate long term strategic goals that align with business requirements and drive financial rigor and cost savings.
Develop and execute category strategies in the Early Research and Development area, including Preclinical Research Services, Bioanalytical and Translational Sciences, In-Vivo Animal Research and Toxicology, and Academic Research and Independently Sponsored Research.
Work with other category managers to ensure alignment on related services or overlapping suppliers supporting other categories.
Align early development outsourcing strategies to any impacted downstream activities within Clinical R&D or GMP environments.
Collaborate closely with category leaders from across the Global Sourcing & Procurement organization to ensure that all Worldwide Research and Development, as well as laboratories in the Technical Operations Organization are fully supported and optimized.
Plan strategically and align projects with the company and functional goals.
Design, develop and shepherd sourcing and category strategies that support business strategy and enable world class procurement execution.
See ambiguity as an opportunity to drive change, establish new ways of working and create clarity.
Align early to understand stakeholder needs, build credibility through strong relationships and solid track record of results, via a collaborative approach.
Manage senior stakeholders across various functions and foster cross-functional alignment.
Become the point of procurement accountability for the RED team.
Develop productive relationships with key suppliers.
Lead through influence and provide excellent procurement thought leadership.
Have a strong understanding of all GSP capabilities and strategies.
Be a strong advocate for the GSP organization across the company.
Closely partner with the Finance organization in support of the functional stakeholders.
Maintain an active understanding of industry trends and functional practices through participation in industry organizations, bringing knowledge to the team and stakeholders.
Be the subject matter expert on evolving procurement practices and standards that may be rapidly changing internally and externally.
Spearhead creation and implementation of sourcing strategies to drive savings and risk mitigation.
Drive process improvement through transformational projects.
Support the team in the implementation of such strategies.
Create and implement collaborative business plans with strategic suppliers.
Optimize supplier performance with a company view, seek opportunities to right size the supply base.
Lead complex negotiations that require a detailed strategic plan and have a direct correlation with the company's operational and business goals.
Drive to measurable outcomes by delivering hard and soft savings.
Develop appropriate SLA’s/ KPI’s to track performance.
Create a multi-year road map of opportunities.
Provide strategy and operational input into transformation efforts, process and technology solutions.
Collaborate across the value stream to optimize outputs.
Ensure compliance with all policies and procedures.
Collaborate closely with the Quality organization.
Actively support internal audit efforts, as needed.