Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement – Technology and AI

AbbVie•North Chicago, IL

2d•$206,500 - $393,000

About The Position

The Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement– Technology is a global leadership role responsible for establishing, aligning, and executing procurement best practices across category strategy, category management, contract management, vendor management, and risk management. This position owns end-to-end category management and portfolio execution for Technology spend, ensuring speed, rigor, and scalability while enabling scientific innovation across all of technology, inclusive of AI and emerging platforms As a key member of the Enterprise Procurement leadership team, this role serves as the single point of accountability for all Technology categories, partnering closely with Technology leaders, the Chief Procurement Officer, Procurement Leadership (R&D, Operations, Commercial), and cross-functional stakeholders. The Senior Director leads a global team of category professionals and plays a central role in transforming procurement into a best-in-class organization—driving value, simplifying execution, and building durable capabilities that support both near-term portfolio needs and long-term growth. Success in this role requires deep category expertise in Technology (inclusive of sub-categories), a strong bias for collaborative and strategic action, proactive management, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment where speed and quality of execution matter equally.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; background in science, business, finance, supply chain, engineering, or related field preferred
MBA or relevant MS / PhD degree strongly preferred
12+ years of strategic sourcing and procurement experience; 5+ years in pharmaceutical or life sciences preferred or similar fast paced industries
Demonstrated expertise in Technology procurement
Proven experience leading teams and complex category portfolios
Professional certification in procurement, supply chain, or Six Sigma desirable
Experience with procurement systems such as Coupa, SAP and Ariba preferred
Strong understanding of procurement best practices, contract law; understanding of global complexities preferred
Prior experience with transformation initiatives and change management
Strategic thinker with a strong execution mindset and bias toward action
Exceptional communicator and influencer across functions, levels, and geographies
Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, make timely decisions, and adapt plans as priorities evolve
Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to quantify and communicate value
Culturally agile leader who values inclusion and thrives in a global organization

Responsibilities

Serve as the single point of accountability to the VP of EFC Procurement and the CPO for all Technology categories.
Own and lead global category strategies that balance speed of execution, risk management, value creation, and long-term scalability.
Ensure category strategies are directly aligned to the Technology portfolio and roadmap, enabling timely delivery of programs across development stages.
Provide procurement oversight and execution leadership for the Technology portfolio, ensuring priorities are clear and resources are deployed where they matter most.
Lead the development and execution of robust Category Management Plans that deliver measurable value, synergies, and operational efficiency with timely actions.
Drive continuous improvement across people, process, governance, systems integration, and reporting.
Translate complex analysis into clear strategic insights, financial impact, and executive-ready recommendations.
Charting the course and driving strategic roadmap, timing, details, value, and overall delivery of outcomes
Driving and owning the most complex programs/projects while delivering a player/coach and
Apply depth of category knowledge, supply markets, external benchmarks, projects, and team dynamics for proper awareness through action optimizations
Leverage cross-functional relationships, vendor landscapes, and technology to optimize the Enterprise portfolios
Maintain P&L accountability for the portfolio, including budget management, value delivery, and financial performance tracking.
Act as a trusted thought partner to Technology leadership, ensuring procurement strategies anticipate scientific needs and enable innovation rather than constrain it.
Drive Business relationships and influence with a collaborative and challenger business partnering model
Proactively solicit feedback from internal customers and address gaps in service, execution, or alignment.
Build strong cross-functional partnerships grounded in transparency, accountability, and enterprise-first decision making.
Lead, coach, and develop a global team of category managers, building deep capability and a strong succession pipeline.
Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture that encourages ownership, learning, collaboration, and constructive challenge
Play a visible leadership role in transforming Technology Procurement; simplifying how work gets done, strengthening governance, and raising the bar on performance and professionalism.
Provide thought leadership, insights, and trends into advancements in technology, AI and digital transformation.
Champion AbbVie’s Ways We Work by modeling open dialogue, decisive leadership, adaptability, and accountability.