Senior Category Manager - Specialty Labs

Gilead Sciences•Foster City, CA

About The Position

Gilead Sciences is currently seeking an experienced and strategic leader for the role of Senior Category Manager, supporting our portfolio of specialty laboratories across Clinical Development. The Senior Category Manager will lead the global category strategy and execution for biomarkers, bioanalytical and companion diagnostic services that enable clinical development, ensuring quality, compliance, continuity of service, cost effectiveness, and fit-for-purpose scientific solutions across a diverse portfolio of trials and geographies. The Senior Category Manager will partner with key stakeholders to ensure appropriate sourcing strategies with primary suppliers across the full vendor lifecycle, including vendor identification, RFI/RFP management, bid defense, vendor selection, contract negotiation, performance oversight, and closeout. This role requires deep industry experience, broad knowledge of industry practices, and strong expertise in contracting, budgeting, and negotiation processes. The position will have the opportunity to work in a matrix environment and regularly collaborate with senior management and cross-functional teams. The role operates with minimal direction, determines objectives for assignments, anticipates business, vendor, and regulatory changes, and solves unusual or highly complex problems that may lack precedent or structure.

Requirements

Demonstrated leadership, thought leadership, and stakeholder management in a fast-paced, matrixed environment, with the ability to operate independently and set priorities.
Deep expertise in end-to-end sourcing and contracting, including RFP development, vendor evaluation, negotiation, budget development, and contract management.
Strong knowledge of clinical research, global regulatory requirements, and industry practices across clinical development outsourcing, laboratory services, diagnostics, and category management.
Financial, legal, and clinical operations acumen, with the ability to analyze cost drivers and structure complex budgets and agreements.
Experience managing a broad spectrum of specialty laboratory vendors and supporting clinical procurement and vendor outsourcing activities.
Proven ability to solve complex, ambiguous problems and drive effective solutions across cross-functional stakeholders.
Strong strategic project management, collaboration, and benchmarking capabilities to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
Min. Bachelor Degree with 8 years of experience OR Master Degree with 6 years of experience

Nice To Haves

Finance / business / science / medical-related degree
MS/MBA or JD
Project management certification (e.g., PMP)
Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) or equivalent

Responsibilities

Develop and refresh global category strategies and sourcing plans aligned to clinical development objectives.
Drive global vendor strategy and provide input into program and study level vendor strategies.
Accountable for category performance, results, and value delivery.
Lead end-to-end sourcing and contracting lifecycle, including RFI/RFP, bid evaluation, vendor selection, negotiation, change orders, and closeout.
Lead negotiations for complex/high-value agreements, translating business, scientific, and legal requirements into contract terms and budgets.
Lead bid defenses, vendor capability assessments, and category refresh activities.
Ensure efficient and optimized contracting processes to support timely execution.
Translate business requirements into vendor capabilities and recommend fit-for-purpose vendor solutions.
Ensure compliant vendor selection and sourcing practices through risk management, benchmarking, and alignment with Legal, Quality, and Vendor Qualification.
Ensure sourcing decisions and vendor deliverables comply with global regulatory and internal standards (e.g., clinical trial and diagnostic regulations).
Support inspection readiness, quality control, and proper contract closeout/archiving.
Interpret and recommend updates to policies and procedures as needed.
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to develop study requirements, sourcing strategies, and vendor selection decisions.
Influence adoption of category strategies, preferred vendors, and standard scopes/rate cards.
Establish and maintain effective relationships across Clinical Operations, Legal, Quality, Regulatory, and vendor management functions.
Drive cost containment and value through benchmarking, market intelligence, and use of standard rate cards.
Identify and implement best practices across vendor selection, contracting, and category management.
Deliver business value through effective sourcing strategies and contract structures.
Serve as SME for complex sourcing, contracting, and vendor outsourcing issues.
Exercise sound judgment in negotiations, escalations, and business tradeoffs.
Train and guide internal stakeholders on contracting, budgeting, and processes as needed.