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At EMD Serono, Inc. our strength is our people!

About the Company

EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leader in the US biopharmaceutical arena, integrating cutting-edge science with unparalleled patient support systems to improve people's lives. The company has strong market positions in neurodegenerative diseases, MS and endocrinology. EMD Serono is also a leader in fertility treatments. With a clear focus on the patient and a leadership presence in the biopharmaceutical industry, EMD Serono's US footprint continues to grow, with more than 1000 employees around the country and fully integrated commercial, clinical and research operations in the company's home state of Massachusetts.

Description

The Category Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of Commercial/Marketing spend categories within a bio-pharmaceutical organization. As a key link between internal customer departments, Procurement, and EMD Serono's external supplier base, the Category Manager is accountable for understanding key business drivers and ensuring that customer requirements are fulfilled. Extensive cross-functional collaboration, and use of strategic sourcing best practices are keys to maximizing value in terms of cost savings/avoidance, risk reduction, quality and supplier performance. The role holder conducts internal and external spend and market analyses, identifies opportunities, develops category strategies, leads sourcing teams, negotiates contracts and manages key supplier relationships. The role holder is an energetic, flexible team player capable of forming strong relationships throughout the entire organization, in addition to successfully leveraging resources, processes and tools to achieve desired outcomes.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively work with the business partners to source goods and services in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Develop subject matter expertise in order to enhance ability to add value from a procurement perspective.
• Ensure the timely execution and delivery of products and services in accordance with business timelines.
• Drive value, service and cost savings through optimum vendor selection, management and effective negotiation.
• Lead the supplier performance management process for assigned categories.
• Provide strategic insight and access to all relevant spend and related data.
• Ensure that the business area engages and fully supports the supply base and supplier management strategies that impact their business area.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Willing to diplomatically challenge concepts and tackle large, complex tasks.
• Active external learner - can identify new and better ways, and takes advantage of ideas, best practices and solutions
• Ability to support/lead and affect transformational change effort
• Customer focus and successful management of many internal customers and competing priorities and the need to continually allocate and balance resources across projects, or Account Planning
• Strong skills in strategic influencing, collaboration, communications, and conflict management
• Strong spend and supplier analysis skills

Qualifications

EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required (Master's degree preferred)
• 8 years of relevant work experience with strong preference in a large multi-national bio-pharmaceutical organization
• At least 5 years experience in strategic sourcing/category management, conducting cross-functional sourcing projects and negotiating contracts for complex services,li>Project background in most, if not all, key categories of bio-pharmaceutical commercial spend (i.e., Agency, Media, Market Research, Medical Education, Conferences, Print, Premiums and Direct Marketing)
• Strategy development experience
• C.P.M. or CPIM certificate preferred

EMD Serono 0901373