Indirect Category Manager
A growing medical technology organization is seeking a Category Manager - Indirect Procurement to lead sourcing initiatives, optimize supplier performance, and support organizational growth across a diverse portfolio of indirect categories. This role plays a key part in ensuring cost-effective, compliant, and innovative procurement solutions that strengthen operations across multiple business units. The ideal candidate brings strong category strategy experience, supplier governance expertise, and a collaborative approach to working with teams across the enterprise.
Role Overview
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for indirect spend areas such as professional services, marketing, facilities, operations, and IT.
- Lead competitive bidding activities, negotiations, and supplier evaluations for medium- to high‑complexity initiatives.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements and align procurement activities with operational priorities.
- Monitor supply markets to identify opportunities for cost optimization, innovation, and risk mitigation.
- Manage supplier performance through structured reviews, KPI tracking, and continuous improvement plans.
- Support contracting processes, ensuring agreements align with organizational standards, compliance expectations, and commercial objectives.
- Contribute to cross‑functional projects related to supply chain, digital tools adoption, capacity planning, and operational resiliency.
- Provide insights and recommendations that strengthen procurement governance and elevate sourcing effectiveness across the business.
- Assist with category forecasting, budget alignment, and reporting activities related to spend, savings, and supplier health.
- Collaborate with global teams to ensure alignment on procurement processes, tools, and strategic priorities.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong negotiation skills with experience managing complex supplier relationships.
- Ability to translate business needs into actionable sourcing strategies.
- Analytical thinker with expertise in evaluating data and identifying cost and performance levers.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management abilities, including with senior leadership.
- Knowledge of contract lifecycle management and supplier governance best practices.
- Comfortable operating in highly regulated or compliance‑driven environments.
- Skilled in market analysis, competitive landscape assessment, and category planning.
- Proficient in procurement systems and analytics tools (e.g., SAP, Coupa, Ariba, Excel; BI tools a plus).
- Continuous improvement mindset with experience driving process or operational enhancements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in indirect procurement or strategic sourcing.
- Demonstrated success developing and executing category strategies that deliver measurable business value.
- Experience supporting cross‑functional projects in a corporate or global setting.
- Familiarity with regulated industries, sustainability programs, and supplier diversity initiatives is advantageous.
- Ability to travel as needed to engage suppliers and internal partners (up to ~30%).
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