Procurement Director - Category Management Lead, IT

AbbVie
North Chicago, IL

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at . Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram , X and YouTube.

Job Description

Purpose

The Director, Category Management Lead plays a pivotal role in shaping long-term strategies for multiple procurement categories, ensuring strategies align with overarching business objectives. This role focuses on strategic advising and requires broad oversight of category procurement execution including supplier management, risk mitigation, and operations excellence. The Director, Category Management Lead will lead strategy through execution ensuring alignment across Category Managers, collaborating with Business Partners, cross functional partners, and capability owners to ensure efficient procurement of business needs. Specific IT categories under leadership include: Software, Hardware, Telecom, Cloud amongst other technology and services as required.

Responsibilities

  • Create overarching Category Strategy through execution inclusive of supplier strategies, governance mode, Supplier Relationship Management. Implement innovative approaches to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of procurement activities, contributing to the organization competitive edge and financial health.
  • Employ data analytics at a strategic level to transform procurement operations and decision-making
  • Drive Innovation/Thought Leadership and lead complex programs, initiatives from strategy through implementation. Orchestrate procurement projects with a strategic lens, ensuring they are not only aligned with overarching business objectives but also contribute to the long-term strategic vision.
  • Lead Stakeholder and functional engagement and management across Enterprise, Operations, R&D, and Operations within the IT categories of leadership
  • Create Category playbooks, negotiations Strategy and Term Sheet
  • Manage Category Council that ensure category strategy pull through and regional, local requirements
  • Create project/supplier strategy team for strategy through execution based on complexities and aligned approach with established roles, escalations, and timelines
  • Oversee and guide the development and execution of long-term category strategy across multiple procurement categories, optimizing cost, efficiency, and quality.
  • Act as the critical link between the procurement and business units, ensuring that procurement strategies are aligned and actively contribute to achieving business objectives. In the absence of a designated business partner role, step into this capacity, serving as a strategic advisor and partner to senior business leadership.
  • Oversee market trend analysis and supplier landscape assessments to inform strategic decisions.
  • Champion sustainability and ESG initiatives, ensuring procurement practices align with organizational and global standards.
  • Cultivate high-level strategic partnerships with strategic category suppliers, spearheading joint initiatives that advance innovation and continuous improvement by challenging the status quo.
  • Lead a comprehensive approach to identifying and mitigating supplier risks at a category level.
  • Strategically ensure robust compliance with global standards, incorporating a holistic view that encompasses entire value chain processes.
  • Provide visionary leadership to and directly manage a team of category managers, focusing on strategic mentoring and development. Cultivate a culture that prioritizes excellence, continuous improvement, and team cohesion.
  • Implement comprehensive workforce plans that ensure the category team’s capabilities are not only aligned with current organizational needs but are also scalable and adaptable for future challenges.

Qualifications

 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt., or related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
  • Minimum of 12 years of experience in procurement, supply chain or related business or operations function.
  • Previous experience leading category management teams and reporting to senior procurement leadership.
  • Strong executive presence and ability to influence across the organization, supplemented by robust soft skills.
  • Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is required.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​

  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

  • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. ​

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.​

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

Posted 2026-07-27

Recommended Jobs

Class A Line Haul Driver

Core-Mark
Rock Island, IL

Job Description: We Deliver the Goods: Competitive pay and benefits, including Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K Employer Matching, Education Assistance, Paid…

View Details
Posted 2026-07-27

Aqua Fitness Instructor

YMCA of Rock River Valley
Rockford, IL

Job Description Job Description YOUR IMPACT This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth developmen…

View Details
Posted 2026-06-26

HVAC Mechanical Technician

TLS Management Inc
Hines, IL

Job Description Job Description Position Title: HVAC Mechanical Technician Location: Jesse Brown VA Medical Center – Chicago, IL Schedule: Monday-Friday (Occasional afterhours or weekend…

View Details
Posted 2026-06-26

Structural Engineering Department Director

Terra Engineering Ltd
Peoria, IL

Job Description Job Description This critical role will lead TERRA's Structural Engineering Department and manage the talent, decision-making processes, business development, and client relations…

View Details
Posted 2026-03-21

Executive Manager

Aiden Auto
Chicago, IL

Job Summary: The Executive Manager provides strategic leadership and oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization or a specific business unit. This role is responsible for developing b…

View Details
Posted 2026-07-17

CATERING ATTENDANT (FULL TIME AND PART TIME)

Eurest
Moline, IL

Job Description Job Description   We are hiring immediately for full and part time CATERING ATTENDANT  positions. Location : John Deere Headquarters - One John Deere Place, Moline, IL 61265…

View Details
Posted 2026-06-25

Account Partner - Commercial MedTech

Veeva Systems
Chicago, IL

Veeva Systems is a mission-driven organization and pioneer in industry cloud, helping life sciences companies bring therapies to patients faster. As one of the fastest-growing SaaS companies in histo…

View Details
Posted 2026-07-16

Travel Physical Therapist Job

Vandalia, IL

Job Overview TLC Nursing Associates, Inc. is seeking a dedicated Physical Therapist to deliver high-quality rehabilitative care, enhance patient mobility, and support recovery through evidence-…

View Details
Posted 2026-02-15

Instructor

JWST Operating Group LLC
Chicago, IL

Job Description Job Description Description: JETSET Pilates is seeking energetic, passionate, and client-focused Instructors to deliver exceptional fitness experiences through our signature 50-m…

View Details
Posted 2026-07-10