Global Category Manager – Digital Agency

SCOPE  

The Global Category Manager is responsible for the development and execution of the sub-category strategy. The Global Category Manager will report to the Procurement Lead. 

In partnership with the Procurement Lead, the Global Category Manager (GCM) plans and leads category initiatives sub-category or a group of complex sub-categories and develops and implements sub-category strategies for these spend categories as part of the wider Category Strategy. The GCM will also lead the Category Strategy through effective management and engagement (Category Councils, if needed), of both internal and external stakeholders.  The GCM is accountable for a significant proportion of the overall category savings target and leads proactive category projects, spanning sourcing projects, demand management and process re-engineering, as well as managing sub-category specific supplier performance and innovation activities to support the delivery of the global and regional procurement targets and business priorities. 

The Global Category Manager is responsible for sub-category specific procurement activities focused on delivering value for business stakeholders, minimizing risk, and promoting innovation by providing relevant market insights and specific sub-category expertise. They will conduct these activities as part of the Procurement savings targets, GREFP KPIs and initiatives and business requirements. This role will be responsible for providing both global and regional teams with category specific subject matter expertise, executing strategic sourcing projects, managing procurement initiatives, supplier relationship management and supporting the delivery of the operational procurement process where required.  

The position will provide financial and business analysis (e.g. Data mining of Procurement and Financial Systems, output analysis and interpretation), supporting global market intelligence in the category area and acting as the focal point for category subject matter expertise to the global business and procurement community. Through the application of rigorous Category Management tools, systems and techniques, the GCM will deliver business value (operational and financial) in line with the agreed functional and business goals. They are responsible for partnering with stakeholders, ensuring procurement’s relationship with each of the in-scope functions.  In addition, they will take personal ownership of large and/or complex arrangements and provide subject matter expertise for other supply and commercial arrangements as required. 

The Global Category Manager will also execute procurement excellence in the day-to-day buying activity, with full responsibility for Statements of Work in the sub-category over a threshold in value, including the authoring thereof where required, and will be responsible for attesting to the appropriate business governance forums that each of these statements of work represents the best possible value for Takeda. In doing so they will have a deep understanding of day-to-day buying best practice, strong stakeholder and supplier engagement skills, and exceptional negotiation ability.  

The Global Category Manager has ownership of delivering against specific category targets and GREFP KPIs. This role will fully embrace and adopt the Takeda Leadership Behaviors, the Procurement Lead will foster an environment that enables all colleagues to fulfill their purpose and achieve Takeda’s vision while confidently living our values every day (Integrity, Fairness, Honestly and Perseverance). 

  Category management and strategy execution 

• Lead the development and implementation of the Category strategy at sub-category levels with support of the Procurement lead alignment with organizational objectives, market dynamics and internal stakeholder needs 

• Provide specific sub-category input to inform wider category and Procurement targets and be responsible for the delivery of sub-category savings targets 

• Develop and manage a project pipeline of initiatives and opportunities (including savings, productivity, risk management, technology and innovation) using internal and external benchmarking data and subject matter expertise 

• Lead strategic initiatives within the relevant sub-category (i.e. Category Councils, engagement guidelines, cash flow initiatives, risk management, etc.) ensuring alignment between sub-category activities, regional/global requirements and the wider category plan 

• Lead interaction with Regional Category Managers and others to ensure alignment on category plan and support with the execution of regional category activities where required 

• Successfully create and execute Procurement annual plan (global/regional as required) using both external and internal market intelligence 

• Collaborate with global and regional Procurement teams, Takeda Business Services, Legal and other functions to help execute effective category strategies including buying channels and negotiation strategies 

• Lead the communication of sub-category strategies, performance metrics (KPIs) and initiatives to internal business stakeholders to ensure a fully integrated and aligned approach 

• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key agencies, ensuring effective communication, collaboration and alignment with organizational needs and expectations 

• Accountable for contract negotiations on behalf of Takeda to secure favorable terms, pricing and service level agreements, while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including SOWs and other service agreements 

• Drive cost saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, vendor consolidation and supply base management in line with procurement targets and KPIs 

• Lead risk identification and mitigation processes to ensure minimal impact to Takeda business processes and reputation 

• Lead Supplier Relationship Management initiatives across the strategic supply base, reporting on supplier performance, embracing supplier led innovation (where appropriate), issuing constructive feedback and ensuring that any supplier performance risks and issues are resolved on a timely basis to end user satisfaction 

• Champion GREFP values and initiatives including supplier diversity and sustainability across procurement, supporting functions and the wider Takeda business 

Procurement Excellence  

• In partnership with Procurement COE, leads the translation of the relevant sub-category strategy(s) into day-to-day buying activity for the regions (i.e. US Region) through the development and maintenance of best practice buying channels, procurement content (pricing, terms, service catalogues, buying guides etc) 

• Partner with budget holders and buyers within the region’s business to ensure a frictionless, rapid, and effective day-to-day buying experience.  

• Lead the creation of statements of work to ensure best possible terms, clarity of deliverables, and maximum value for Takeda, including making representations to business unit leadership that each statement of work is of the expected Takeda standard. 

• Work with suppliers to drive high quality statements of work through the creation of templates and standard ways of working 

• Responsible for the realization of savings on each day-to-day buy through the effective application of rates, appropriate demand management techniques, and where applicable negotiation with suppliers.  

• Deliver contract negotiations on behalf of Takeda to secure favorable terms, pricing and statements of work, while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements 

• Lead and facilitate discussions between category leadership, Global Procurement Centre of Excellence, Takeda Business Services (TBS), Legal Operations, Finance, IT and other relevant stakeholders to drive process and systems improvements that create a better day to day buying experience for stakeholders and improves value realization by Takeda.  

• Provide regular feedback to category managers on operational buying trends, leveraging all available date, to inform category strategy adjustments  

Other activities 

• Manage relationships with key business stakeholders, in partnership with the Procurement Lead  

• Work to socialize procurement and category management best practices within the business (i.e. increased utilization of preferred suppliers, SoW optimization and the use of BuyEasy@Takeda etc.) in partnership with the Procurement Lead 

• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders, including business partners, Procurement CoE, Finance and Takeda Business Solutions to ensure alignment  

• Clearly demonstrate, actively coach and encourage the team to adopt and embrace the Takeda Leadership Behaviors (Think Strategically, Inspire others, Deliver Priorities, Elevate Capabilities) 

• Foster a climate that inspires, enables, encourages open dialogue, feedback and diverse opinions 

• Promote collaboration, trust and respect among team members and the wider Takeda business 

• Ensure compliance with Takeda training requirements  

CAPABILITIES 

• Strategic thinking (with the ability to multi-task, think critically and prioritize) 

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills 

• Superior customer service and relationship-building skills, and business partnering abilities  

• Category strategy creation and execution  

• Operational buying experience in the category  

• Stakeholder engagement experience  

• Excellent interpersonal skills  

• Market and supplier knowledge  

• Punctuality, accuracy, and the ability to meet deadlines  

• Strong attention to detail  

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, etc. 

EXPERIENCE 

• BA or BS required, MBA or Master’s Degree with Supply Chain/Procurement emphasis preferred 

• 11 plus years strategic and operational procurement experience with extensive knowledge of category management and advanced strategic sourcing methodologies 

• Minimum of 11 years working in biotech/pharma industry, or other highly regulated industries, with progressive leadership of procurement  

• Minimum of 11 years of experience working in a complex global environment 

• Possess in-depth knowledge of Category Management, Operational Buying, and Supplier Relationship Management 

• Strong sub-category expertise and proven sourcing track-record 

• Exceptionally skilled at stakeholder management  

• Experience in project and risk management  

• Strong and proven negotiation, leadership and communication skills 

• Direct experience in category management and development of category strategies 

• Proven Financial and Business Acumen 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Some business travel may be required 

MORE ABOUT US

At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work.

Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

This position is currently classified as "hybrid" in accordance with Takeda's Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

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