Contract Management Specialist Senior Manager

Vertex Pharmaceuticals • Boston, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Category Manager owns Category Management activities across Vertex for certain Commercial/Marketing categories. Working collaboratively with internal business stakeholders, this role develops sound category and sourcing strategies for multi-year, multi-geography teams across regions. The work includes developing and executing sourcing strategies, creating RFx documents, analyzing competitive bids, developing contracts, planning negotiations, and managing strategic suppliers.

The Senior Manager works closely with Business Partners to understand priorities and needs and define initiatives that support the business. The role also supports optimization of end-to-end sourcing processes and enhancement of the overall user experience. It leads category strategy and supplier performance activities, performs market research, coordinates sourcing risk assessment and mitigation, and leads complex contract negotiations with cross-functional stakeholders.

The position is based in Boston and is hybrid-eligible: the stated job location arrangement is three days in the office and two days remote each week. Employees in the Hybrid-Eligible designation may work remotely up to two days per week or choose an on-site designation, working five days on-site with ad hoc flexibility; this status is subject to Vertex policy and may change. Vertex describes itself as a global biotechnology company investing in scientific innovation and encourages continuous learning about AI, technology, automation, and industry trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a four-year college or university.
• Typically requires five years of specific sourcing experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Good understanding of the nuances associated with a regulated environment.
• Solid knowledge of ERP systems and ability to expertly use e-sourcing tools, including business intelligence and reporting platforms.
• Strong analytical capabilities and project management skills.
• Good communication and presentation skills, including the ability to articulate opinions concisely and persuasively.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and cultivate and maintain effective business partner relationships through respect and trust.
• AI-ready mindset and passion for AI opportunities and their overall impact in the Services area.
• Can-do mindset; ability to thrive in ambiguity and build bridges through innovative solutions.

Nice To Haves

• Category-specific sourcing experience in Marketing.

Responsibilities

• Lead Category Management for specific category areas, including development of sourcing strategies, management of strategic supplier relationships and performance, and tactical RFx activities when needed.
• Drive development and implementation of sourcing strategies.
• Perform market research to support category strategies and sourcing activities, filtering data into a relevant, actionable format.
• Manage supplier performance and relationship management processes, which may include Executive Business Reviews.
• Support Business Owners in identifying applicable sourcing risks; coordinate with Risk Subject Matter Experts to assess risks and develop mitigation plans where necessary.
• Manage complex contract negotiations, leading cross-functional company efforts with stakeholders such as Business Partners, Finance, and Legal.
• Work with Business Partners to understand business priorities and needs and define supporting initiatives.
• Support optimization of end-to-end sourcing processes and improve the overall user experience.

Benefits

• Annual bonus eligibility.
• Annual equity awards.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off, including a week-long company shutdown in the summer and winter.
• Educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment.
• Commuting subsidy.
• Matching charitable donations.
• 401(k).

What This Job Offers

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