Senior Category Manager - R & D

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Category Manager - Medical Sciences to join a leading healthcare organisation. This role will partner with senior stakeholders across to deliver a strategic procurement vision centred around innovation, scientific excellence, and consumer needs.This position sits within a highly visible R&D procurement team and will play a critical role in shaping category strategy across Medical Sciences, driving value creation, supplier innovation, operational excellence and risk management in a dynamic global environment.As Senior Category Manager, you will lead the development and execution of procurement strategies across Medical Sciences, covering areas such as:

• Consumer Safety Services
• Pharmacovigilance
• Regulatory Services
• Evidence Generation
• Scientific and R&D Support Services

You will work closely with business leaders and technical stakeholders to ensure procurement strategies support innovation, regulatory compliance and commercial objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of category strategies for Medical Sciences, ensuring alignment to business objectives and stakeholder requirements.
• Analyse market trends, supply base opportunities and category risks to inform strategic decision making.
• Establish a centre of excellence for the category by leveraging market intelligence, external industry trends, strategic insights and technological advancements.
• Manage key supplier relationships, driving innovation, performance improvement and long-term value creation.
• Oversee the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle, including supplier selection, contract management and strategic procurement initiatives.
• Lead complex RFPs and negotiations to secure optimal commercial outcomes whilst maintaining quality and compliance standards.
• Drive productivity and cost optimisation initiatives without compromising service, quality or regulatory requirements.
• Act as a trusted business partner to Consumer Safety leadership teams, providing procurement expertise and market insight.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with all relevant regulatory standards, governance frameworks and internal policies.
• Identify and mitigate risks relating to supplier performance, regulatory compliance and supply continuity.
• Support the delivery of the R&D digitalisation and technology roadmap.
• Develop a strong understanding of market drivers and broader consumer healthcare landscape.
• Collaborate extensively across Finance, Legal, Risk & Compliance, R&D, Operations and regional procurement teams to deliver business objectives.