What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Category Manager position at GForce Life Sciences?
Senior Category Manager, R&D Procurement
12 month contract
Must be able to work on a W2
Hybrid 3x per week in Waltham, MA
Requirements
- Lead the development, execution, and management of global sourcing strategies for R&D-related spend categories.
- Develop relationships with internal stakeholders to understand procurement needs, identify sourcing opportunities, and provide guidance on sourcing policies, processes, and systems.
- Partner with senior stakeholders to develop and implement category sourcing strategies for R&D spend.
- Support R&D and clinical operations procurement activities, including sourcing materials and services for clinical trials and new product development initiatives.
- Manage supplier relationships, including supplier qualification, performance management, risk management, issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead strategic sourcing activities including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, total cost analyses, contract negotiations, and supplier selection.
- Develop and deliver against procurement performance objectives, including cost savings, cash flow improvements, supplier performance, and supplier diversity initiatives.
- Implement procurement systems, procedures, and best practices aligned with organizational objectives.
- Collaborate closely with Legal, Finance, and cross-functional stakeholders to support procurement initiatives.
- Negotiate commercial terms and preferred partnership agreements with suppliers.
- Manage multiple projects and cross-functional teams simultaneously in a complex global environment.
- Utilize ERP systems and procurement tools to support sourcing and supplier management activities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business, or a related field required.
- 5–8 years of procurement, strategic sourcing, or related experience.
- Extensive experience supporting R&D procurement and clinical operations, including Phase 1–4 clinical trial support.
- Experience developing and managing GxP-aligned supplier strategies.
- Experience working with researchers, CROs, contract manufacturers, and technical stakeholders.
- Strong vendor management, supplier qualification, onboarding, and relationship management experience.
- Proven experience executing RFx processes in a cross-functional environment.
- Strong understanding of pharmaceutical or biotechnology research and development processes.
- Demonstrated success delivering measurable results in complex global organizations.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple concurrent projects.
- Strong strategic sourcing, negotiation, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience managing internal and outsourced service providers is preferred.
- Knowledge of GMP and/or GCP requirements.
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as Oracle or SAP and Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
- Ability to develop, implement, and monitor sourcing performance metrics.
- Excellent project management, communication, presentation, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Professional procurement certifications (e.g., CPM) and participation in procurement-related professional organizations are preferred.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and drive business results in a matrixed environment