Senior Category Manager

The Senior Category Manager is responsible to manage and drive measurable improvement in Parexel's procurement strategies. 

The incumbent performs assignments requiring a solid knowledge of the marketas well as procurement best practices, theories, principles and disciplines.  Incumbent will be responsible for: 

• Evaluate variable issues and risks.

• Facilitates mitigation and resolution of issues and interacts with management on a regular basis.
  Oversee major global purchases and coordinate associated work with Business Analysts and Procurement Specialists with the support of the Category Leader

• Provide best practice consultation and for collaborating with internal clients, qualifying and developing sourcing/supplier strategies. 

• Ensure compliance and alignment with strategic corporate goals, contractual requests and stipulations from clients including risk management, GxP regulations, total cost of ownership.

**REQUIRED: PAST CRO OR PHARM EXPEREINCE**

Key Accountabilities:

Category Strategy Development and Execution

• Develop, propose and implement strategic global and regional category plans that align with business strategies and goals.

•  Manage, and drive measurable improvement in the selection and development of suppliers to optimize value in assigned categories with support of the Category Leader.

• Perform internal assessment of current and future needs, external assessment of market trends and competitive suppliers; develop financial models to assess “Total Cost of Ownership” (TCO) and opportunities to leverage changes in specifications, processes, systems and products to lower TCO; work closely with Business Units Corporate Departments and Category Leader to establish and implement the category strategy. 

Develop and Execute Sourcing Strategy

• Based on the category sourcing strategy and TCO, select and negotiate with suppliers; establish and maintain contractual and business relationships with the suppliers; communicate with Business Units and Corporate Department influencers and users on the selection

• Execute, for the categories owned, the following procurement process steps: Needs/specifications; category strategy development; supplier negotiations; implementation; supplier development; contract administration, measurement and monitoring.

• Facilitate discussions with cross-functional teams to ensure that Business Units and Corporate Departments provide input and are represented in the execution of the strategies for their category.

Global Category Market Expertise

• Remain current with future trends within the marketplace by maintaining relationships with suppliers, and other market experts; recommend new technologies and solutions

Negotiate and Manage Contracts

• Negotiate terms and conditions with key global and regional suppliers for medium to large dollar contracts to ensure optimum price competitiveness and service levels are maintained.

• With Legal, manage the contract review process and ensure company risk is minimized.

• Responsible for ensuring that all business requirements are captured

Performance Management

• Collaborate with the sourcing specialists and/or supplier relationship manager in the development of scorecards and participate in supplier governance reviews.

World-class Service Delivery

• Work with key management and Category Lead to help develop the strategic direction to attain world-class service delivery.

Process Standardization

• Facilitate cooperation and the development of company-wide standards to facilitate strong links between Parexel and its suppliers; lead and drive supplier development where appropriate.        

Skills:

• Ability to perform with independence and judgment and seeks guidance when needed.

• Knowledge of category management, business and supply chain management practices, theories, principles and disciplines.

• Proficient category knowledge including market place, key suppliers and future trends.

• Demonstrated success of leading global teams to achieve quantifiable results.

• Highly motivated with ability to help drive change in a decentralized/matrixed organization.

• Project management skills and results oriented.

• Solid business acumen accompanied by solid and reliable interpersonal skills.

• Effective negotiation and influence skills.

• Track record for cultivating strong relationships with client and supplier stakeholders that have resulted in high customer satisfaction.

• Strong analytical skills including the ability to distill, synthesize, and draw conclusions on large amounts of data

• Creates recommended business cases for solutions; solicits feedback from colleagues and managers.

Knowledge and Experience:

**REQUIRED: PAST CRO OR PHARM EXPEREINCE**

• Three plus years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing and a total of seven to ten years of professional procurement experience.

• Demonstrated ability to manage medium to large global projects coupled with financial responsibility.

• Experience in negotiating contracts and knowledge of key contractual language

• Experience in a procurement role demonstrating strong technical and analytical skills and a track record of success working in a global, team-based environment

Education:

• BS in Business, Finance or Supply Chain. MBA Preferred.

• C.P.M. or equivalent professional certification preferred.