Senior Category Manager

BoehringerPRD•West Perth, ON

16h•Remote

About The Position

Acting globally and working cross‑functionally, the Senior Category Manager plays a key role in shaping sourcing strategies that ensure sustainable, competitive supply and high service quality for our interventional clinical trials. The role combines strategic responsibility for a global category with active supplier management, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement of sourcing approaches.

Requirements

Experience in procuring services or goods, preferably within a pharmaceutical or similarly regulated environment and in a global sourcing context.
Experience with sourcing or supporting services related to early‑stage clinical development, including early clinical trials.
Good understanding of established sourcing methodologies, including demand management, market and supplier analysis, compliance management, due diligence, risk management, supplier management, contract management and negotiation techniques.
Extensive experience in working on international projects and collaborating with cross‑functional teams consisting of internal and external partners.
A master’s degree in business administration or an equivalent professional qualification; candidates with a bachelor’s degree combined with relevant professional experience will also be considered.
Open‑minded, motivated and persuasive approach, combined with strong internal and external relationship management skills and willingness to take on responsibility.
Team‑oriented mindset with the ability to work collaboratively in diverse, cross‑functional and international teams.
Strong communication skills in English.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of market intelligence and sourcing practices related to Clinical Development services is an advantage.
Experience with fully outsourced trials is an advantage.
German language skills are an advantage.

Responsibilities

Sourcing activities within global Human Pharma’s clinical services categories.
Assuming responsibility for a worldwide category, managed in a highly centralised manner, by consistently challenging the existing status quo.
Identifying enhancements and convincing the upper management to follow new ways of working.
Acting as global supplier manager for core service providers, establishing and enforcing a robust governance system to ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices.
Developing and strengthening relationships with external strategic partners.
Closely monitoring the market and identifying suppliers that best fit business needs.
Continuously observing supply markets, searching for new partners, service providers and solutions, while analysing and mitigating risks within the category.
Managing a high volume of sourcing requests independently and ensuring successful negotiation outcomes.
Managing resulting contracts in close alignment with internal business partners.
Working closely with cross‑functional teams to implement cutting edge methods of working and contribute to improvements in speed, cost efficiency, value generation, use of new technologies and optimisation of buying channels.
Supporting the development and upskilling of sourcing colleagues through training and mentorship.