Category Manager (Purchasing – R&D and Professional Services)

<h1></h1><h1><b>Job Summary</b></h1><p></p>The Category Manager (R&amp;D and Professional Services) is responsible for developing and carrying out category strategies across a diverse global portfolio that includes Management Consulting, HR Services, Marketing, and Life Sciences R&amp;D Services. This role places particular emphasis on supporting clinical studies, clinical trials, and other scientific service needs.<br><br>This role operates at the intersection of strategy, governance, and execution, requiring strong commercial acumen, deep stakeholder engagement, and the ability to manage complex, knowledge-based services (R&amp;D). The position balances long-term category value creation with hands-on sourcing and supplier management, supporting critical business, transformation, and innovation agendas.<br><br>*This position requires working onsite 3 days per week at our U.S. headquarters in Lake Zurich, IL.<br>*This position does not offer visa sponsorship either now or in the future.<br><br>• Salary Range: $125,000-147,000.<br>• Position is eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan with a target of 10% of the base salary.<br>• Final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to experience level, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.<br>• Our benefits and programs are comprehensive and thoughtfully crafted to ensure our colleagues live healthy lives and have support when it matters most. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with company contributions, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, employee assistance program, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage.<h1></h1><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><h1><b>Responsibilities</b></h1><h1></h1><p><b>Global Category Ownership &amp; Regional Execution</b></p><ul><li>Assist in the development and own the regional execution of global category strategies, ensuring alignment with Global sourcing roadmaps Preferred supplier and partner models.</li><li>Adapt global strategies to the Americas context while preserving strategic intent and governance discipline.</li><li>Serve as the primary interface between Global Indirect Procurement and Americas stakeholders, ensuring continuous collaboration and alignment improvement.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Strategic Sourcing &amp; Execution</b></p><ul><li>Translate global strategy into annual sourcing plans and sustainable pipeline management.</li><li>Lead / Co-lead complex sourcing initiatives delivering execution of end-to-end sourcing processes, from demand intake and market analysis through contract award and implementation.</li><li>Negotiate commercial, contractual, and service-level agreements to deliver measurable value (cost, quality, speed, innovation).</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Supplier &amp; Contract Management</b></p><ul><li>Deploy globally defined strategic supplier ecosystem consistently across the Americas.</li><li>Drive supplier performance management, QBRs, and continuous improvement initiatives.</li><li>Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, innovation partnerships, and risk mitigation.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Stakeholder Management</b></p><ul><li>Act as a trusted business partner to R&amp;D, Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, Corporate Finance, Commercial, HR, and regional business stakeholders.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Job Requirements</b></p><ul><li>Bachelor’s degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree or advanced certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM, Lean Six Sigma) are a plus.</li><li>8&#43; years’ experience in strategic sourcing and category management, with a demonstrable record of hands-on execution.</li><li>Deep understanding of CRO/FSP operating models and clinical services procurement, including MSAs, SOWs, rate‑card design, benchmarking, and change‑order governance.</li><li>Solid exposure to Professional Services and/or R&amp;D / Clinical Services categories.</li><li>Working knowledge of GxP requirements, 21 CFR Part 11, and ICH‑GCP guidelines.</li><li>Experience with spend cube design, savings/avoidance methodologies, rate analytics, dashboarding (Power BI/Tableau), and pipeline management.</li><li>Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).</li><li>Proficient user of SAP Ariba or similar sourcing tools (Sourcing and Supplier Management modules preferred).</li><li>Working knowledge of SAP ERP for procurement, contract, and supplier master data management; familiarity with digital procurement tools and visualization platforms is a plus.</li><li>Willingness to travel up to 20%.</li></ul><h1></h1><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><h1><b><span>Additional Information</span></b></h1><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><span>We offer an excellent salary and benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage, as well as life insurance, <span><span><span><span class="WCO0">disability, 401K</span></span></span></span> with company </span><span>contribution</span><span>, and wellness program. </span></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><span>Fresenius Kabi is an Equal <span><span><span><span class="WCO0">Opportunity/Affirmative</span></span></span></span> Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.</span></p>