Hiring: Associate Director, Category Management Company: AbbVie Location: North Chicago, IL Job Posted Time: 2026-09-10 11:05:31 Employment Type: Contract Target Skills & Keywords : Change Management, Project Management, Stakeholder Management About the job Experience: •10 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related business or operations function. Required Skills: •Partner with VP-level business or functional stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies for an individual procurement category, acting as a Business Partner where necessary. •Build a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the relevant category, incorporating category strategies that align with overall business goals. •Contribute to a cross-functional team that informs strategic decision-making by leveraging market intelligence, staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics. •Define and develop strategic value drivers with key category suppliers to secure collaborative partnerships that challenge the status quo to achieve cost savings, optimize processes, and enhance overall procurement value. •Integrate sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures into category strategies, collaborating with suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices. •Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies, driving innovation with key category suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting-edge solutions that deliver on long-term business needs. •Develop and activate mitigation strategies to proactively define and manage procurement risk across the relevant category, , ensuring compliance. •Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, directing and guiding cross-functional teams to deliver strategic category-related projects. Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long-term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives. Qualifications: •Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt or related field. Master’s degree is preferred •Minimum of 10 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related business or operations function. •Previous experience leading category teams, partnering with major suppliers, and reporting to senior leaders. •Strong proficiency in developing high-impact executive-level deliverables. •Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is strongly preferred. •Comprehensive expertise in category management, including market analysis, cost and financial assessment, ensuring strategic and informed procurement decisions. Fluency in negotiation and bidding, adept in overseeing complex projects with a focus on effective change management. •Strong capabilities in internal stakeholder management and influence, aligning procurement strategies with business needs and fostering collaborative supplier relationships. •Strategic thinking and accountability, anticipating future trends, and taking responsibility for impactful procurement outcomes that challenge the status quo. •Innovative problem-solving skills combined with a significant executive presence, enabling creative solutions and influential communication at all organizational levels. High cross-functional leadership abilities, conflict resolution skills, effectively navigating & harmonizing diverse team dynamics. •Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship-building across a matrixed organization. High resilience under pressure and autonomous work ethic, maintaining performance in challenging situations and making independent decisions. Compensation: •$141,500 - $268,500 / year Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!