Category Manager

The Category Manager will have day-to-day responsibility for supplier management. The incumbent will lead sourcing decisions within the area assigned, support the NPD process, implement supplier/part strategies, and monitor supplier performance. The incumbent will be required to provide supplier guidance to ensure consistency of best practices, supplier compliance (both internal and Regulatory bodies), pricing, and delivery requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Ability to evaluate and approve suppliers, direct supplier strategy and negotiate complex contracts for procurement of assigned commodities and ensure alignment with the department goals, initiatives, roles and responsibilities. Participates in Supplier Review process by collecting and analyzing data regarding identified supplier performance measures.
• Understand cost, cost planning, and analysis and identifies and develops cost reduction strategies to ensure cost targets are achieved while mitigating supplier risk.
• Manage projects and supplier relationships effectively while implementing programs that drive performance (QCDD) and mitigate risk. Responds to internal and external audit findings related to supplier management and be able to close out deviations and CAPAs related to internal and external audits in a timely fashion.
• Ability to lead cross-functional business activities that identify, qualify, negotiate and successfully implement new suppliers or manufacturing process in order to ensure continuity of supply, deflation and business profitability.
• Understand parts, processes and suppliers of assigned pharmaceutical and commodities and be able to evaluate and support supplier/part strategies and ensure the successful implementation of potential new product launches as well as continuous improvement opportunities. Researches and monitors industry trends (sourcing, technology, market price) as applicable.
• Communicates effectively with all levels of management and suppliers both verbally and in writing.
• Negotiates for highly complex, expensive or critical materials, equipment or services affecting assigned segments of the business utilizing a high value-adding strategic methodology.
• Works with a sense of urgency, following up regularly to verify manufacturing needs and goals are met/exceed.
• Report potential risks & delays associated with the establishment of critical suppliers due to non-conformance to requirements.
• Influence internal customers to implement a purchasing strategy that yields lowest total cost while achieving market competitive service levels.
• Perform activities in compliance with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and labour standards programs including, but not limited to, UK Labour Standards Assurance System, Carbon Disclosure Project, California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, UK Modern Slavery Act, US Dodd Frank Act, etc.
• Perform activities in compliance to applicable quality standards or regulations concerning the products supplied.

Location: Hybrid. Home Office - US, Andover

Education: Bachelors / Masters Degree

Experience: Minimum 7-10 year of experience in procurement

Competencies:

• Demonstrated project leadership skills
• Experience managing complex projects with multiple priorities, ability to self-manage, follow-up, track schedules, independently assess, escalate, resolve issues quickly to delivery results
• Extremely well developed in influencing and communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong team leadership and teamwork skill for cross-functional activity
• Particular important focus to detail along with supply chain, distribution, and purchasing experience with an emphasis on effective negotiation skills
• Adept at developing and implementing planning and/or sourcing strategies that will deliver business needs
• Excellent analytical skills and good personal organization are a necessity
• Strong numerate and computer literate (particularly in Excel).
• Medical Device manufacturing and Procurement are strongly desirable.

Travel Requirements: 10-25%

Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.