Senior Category Manager, Generic Injectable & Biosimilar Sourcing

Cencora • Conshohocken, PA

20d

About The Position

The Senior Category Manager develops and manages strategic relationships with external generic injectable and biosimilar manufacturers to create mutual value for Cencora and its manufacturers. The role leads supplier contract negotiations and formulary sourcing strategies, and serves as a liaison between external manufacturing partners and internal teams, including Sales & Marketing, Finance, Legal, and Supply Chain. It identifies value-creation opportunities and supports alignment with Cencora’s commercialization and sourcing partners.

The position requires a deep understanding of generic sourcing and/or manufacturing, strong financial acumen, and negotiation skills. The Senior Category Manager leads manufacturer business reviews, resolves commercial challenges with limited management support, and represents Cencora in executive-level engagements. The role negotiates distribution service contracts on behalf of Cencora Global Procurement, including redlining contracts, consolidating stakeholder feedback, and managing contracting requirements.

The position establishes relationships with new and emerging manufacturers and develops existing strategic sourcing relationships with mature manufacturers while managing customer expectations and Cencora programs. It manages trade affairs, supports commercialization of new product launches, addresses supply disruptions, maintains appropriate inventory across full-line and specialty distribution networks, and assists with supplier-enterprise disputes and issues. The Senior Category Manager works cross-functionally, represents Cencora’s interests with suppliers, generates profit-enhancing opportunities such as deals, rebates, and promotional activities, and learns and promotes sourcing programs that create value for Cencora and its customers. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accountancy or finance, sales, marketing, or a similar field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least seven years of directly related and progressively responsible experience.
• Broad experience in business administration, accountancy or finance, sales, marketing, or similar vocations.
• Outstanding knowledge of pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution, including generic injectables and biosimilars, supplier relationships, and purchasing models and financials.
• Financial and analytical ability to evaluate deals and support contract negotiations, including cost-benefit analysis and risk-reward assessment.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including deep knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Working knowledge of sales, purchasing, supply chain management, and/or inventory management principles and methodologies.
• Strong relationship and contract management capabilities, including adherence to departmental processes and procedures.
• Ability to handle confrontational issues positively.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to implement processes that result in satisfactory audit practices.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of regulatory filing pathways and familiarity with FDA audits.
• Knowledge of Cencora’s full-line and specialty distribution network and its Specialty GPOs.
• Desire to be part of a best-in-class sourcing environment.
• A can-do attitude, willingness to learn, and resourcefulness.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage strategic relationships with generic injectable and biosimilar manufacturers.
• Lead supplier contract negotiations and develop formulary sourcing strategies.
• Serve as a liaison between external manufacturing partners and internal cross-functional teams.
• Lead manufacturer business reviews and resolve commercial challenges with limited management support.
• Negotiate distribution service contracts for Cencora Global Procurement, including redlining contracts and consolidating stakeholder feedback.
• Establish relationships with new and emerging manufacturers and strengthen relationships with established manufacturers.
• Manage trade affairs, including supporting new product commercialization, addressing supply disruptions, maintaining appropriate inventory across full-line and specialty distribution networks, and assisting with supplier disputes and issues.
• Work with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Legal, Replenishment Operations, and Supply Chain Management to promote Cencora’s interests and those of its customers.
• Represent Cencora favorably with suppliers and advocate for company interests concerning supplier actions and policies.
• Generate profit-enhancing opportunities, including deals, rebates, and promotional activities for assigned suppliers.
• Learn and promote sourcing programs that increase value for Cencora and its customers.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision care.
• Support for working families, which may include backup dependent care, adoption assistance, infertility coverage, family-building support, behavioral health solutions, paid parental leave, and paid caregiver leave.
• Training programs and professional development resources.
• Mentorship programs.
• Employee resource groups.
• Volunteer activities.

What This Job Offers

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