Associate Director, Category Management
AbbVie
August 18, 2026
Remote friendly (North Chicago, IL)
United States
$141,500 - $268,500 USD yearly
Operations
Purpose
- The Associate Director, Category Management partners with VP-level stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies, build an annual strategic plan, and lead managers to achieve performance targets aligned with organizational goals.
Responsibilities
- Develop global procurement strategies for an assigned category as needed as a business partner.
- Build an annual category strategic plan aligned to business goals.
- Inform strategy using market intelligence and knowledge of industry trends, technologies, and market dynamics.
- Define and develop strategic value drivers with suppliers to drive cost savings, process optimization, and increased procurement value.
- Integrate sustainability and ESG measures into category strategies and support responsible sourcing with suppliers.
- Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies and drive innovation with key suppliers.
- Develop and activate procurement risk mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance.
- Manage strategic category projects end-to-end; use data analytics to drive continuous improvement.
- Lead end-to-end procurement: sourcing strategy, contract negotiation, and execution.
- Lead, coach, and evaluate managers; support workforce planning, capability needs, and staffing.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field; Master’s preferred.
- 10+ years in procurement, supply chain, or related operations/business.
- Experience leading category teams, partnering with major suppliers, and reporting to senior leaders.
- Strong executive-level deliverable development and negotiation/bidding skills.
- Pharmaceutical industry knowledge strongly preferred.
- Expertise in category management, market/cost/financial assessment, and complex project/change management.
- Strong stakeholder influence, strategic thinking, conflict resolution, and relationship-building in a matrixed organization.
Benefits (as stated)
- Paid time off; medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k) (eligible employees).
- Eligible for long-term incentive programs.
- The Associate Director, Category Management partners with VP-level stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies, build an annual strategic plan, and lead managers to achieve performance targets aligned with organizational goals.
Responsibilities
- Develop global procurement strategies for an assigned category as needed as a business partner.
- Build an annual category strategic plan aligned to business goals.
- Inform strategy using market intelligence and knowledge of industry trends, technologies, and market dynamics.
- Define and develop strategic value drivers with suppliers to drive cost savings, process optimization, and increased procurement value.
- Integrate sustainability and ESG measures into category strategies and support responsible sourcing with suppliers.
- Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies and drive innovation with key suppliers.
- Develop and activate procurement risk mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance.
- Manage strategic category projects end-to-end; use data analytics to drive continuous improvement.
- Lead end-to-end procurement: sourcing strategy, contract negotiation, and execution.
- Lead, coach, and evaluate managers; support workforce planning, capability needs, and staffing.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field; Master’s preferred.
- 10+ years in procurement, supply chain, or related operations/business.
- Experience leading category teams, partnering with major suppliers, and reporting to senior leaders.
- Strong executive-level deliverable development and negotiation/bidding skills.
- Pharmaceutical industry knowledge strongly preferred.
- Expertise in category management, market/cost/financial assessment, and complex project/change management.
- Strong stakeholder influence, strategic thinking, conflict resolution, and relationship-building in a matrixed organization.
Benefits (as stated)
- Paid time off; medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k) (eligible employees).
- Eligible for long-term incentive programs.