Job Description
Senior Strategic Category Manager
Industry: Life Sciences / Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing
Location: Portsmouth, NH or Walkersville, MD (USA)
Work Model: Hybrid – 3 days onsite, 2 days remote
This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead strategic procurement initiatives across multiple sites within a global life sciences organization. The position plays a vital role in ensuring business continuity and generating value through supplier partnerships, sourcing excellence, and category management.
Role Overview
You will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, managing key supplier relationships, ensuring the secure supply of critical materials, and driving standardization and efficiency across various locations. This role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking in a dynamic environment.
What You Will Receive
- Dynamic, agile working culture
- Inclusive and ethical workplace environment
- Compensation programs that reward high performance
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) matching and retirement options
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Paid time off and employee assistance programs
- Eligibility for performance-based bonuses
- Salary range (state-required disclosure): $93,000 – $143,000
- (Offers depend on experience, location, performance, and internal equity)
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure supply continuity of critical materials used for life-saving medicines
- Lead sourcing and category strategies that drive efficiency, resilience, and cost optimization
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers to support long-term collaboration
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks
- Promote alignment and best-practice implementation across multiple sites and regions
- Provide expert support in tendering, negotiation, and contract management
- Partner closely with local stakeholders as a trusted procurement advisor
- Support global and cross-site initiatives in procurement excellence
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field
- Proven experience in strategic sourcing or category management
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills
- Experience managing complex supplier portfolios in a fast-paced environment
- Highly proactive, results-oriented, and adaptable
- Strong organizational and communication abilities
- Demonstrated ability to challenge the status quo and bring forward new ideas
- Willingness to work onsite 3 days per week and travel as required, including occasional international travel