Category Strategy Manager

Kindeva Drug Delivery

Kindeva is a leading global contract developer and manufacturer (CDMO) with delivery platform expertise in Autoinjector, Inhalation, Transdermal/Intradermal Patch Technologies. We partner with our customers to improve patient outcomes around the world. Together, as One Team, we will manufacture many more tomorrows.

Job Summary

Oversee strategic sourcing and supplier management for primary packaging (assembled medical device components), ensuring alignment with business goals, compliance with regulatory standards, and cost efficiency. This role requires expertise in category management, supplier relationship management, and cross-functional collaboration within a highly regulated industry.

Category Strategy Development

• Lead category strategy for primary packaging and injection-molded components, aligning with global procurement objectives.
• Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, and internal demand to develop cost-effective sourcing strategies.
• Partner with stakeholders across manufacturing, engineering, and quality to identify and implement value-driven opportunities.
• Develop short- and long-term category plans to support business growth and operational efficiency.
• Conduct RFx processes, supplier evaluations, and total cost of ownership analyses to drive informed decision-making.
• Develop and execute compelling business cases, category and supplier management strategies that drive increased value in a financially constrained environment, through collaboration with key stakeholders, across but not limited to manufacturing, quality, technology and engineering, supply planning, engineering, and with our commercial partners.
• Execute negotiation plans to maximize total value and minimize risks in intended supplier agreements.
  
  

Supplier Relationship Management

• Manage supplier performance and drive continuous improvement in supply, quality, optimizing cash/cost/ value and assuring compliance. This includes managing the supplier business according to existing agreements, contracts and obligations, performance measures, and business expectations.
• Serve as primary business owner for assigned supplier relationships, including accountability for escalations, critical communications and relevant direction and decisions to manage the supplier most effectively.
• Seek end to end continuous improvement within the supply chain for components and services, and identify opportunities to increase quality, assure On-Time In-Full supply and optimize cost.
• When performance issues emerge, identify root causes and work with internal and external stakeholders to drive efficient resolution with prioritized urgency.
  
  

Business Management and Partner Engagement

• Establish annual standard costs for acquired materials, goods and services from assigned suppliers.
• Drive cost improvement and budget reduction efforts to achieve favorable variances versus standard costs and achieve year-over-year standard cost reductions.
• Collaborate with relevant departments to assist development of operating budgets through effective communication of supplier pricing and related cost improvement initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure customer satisfaction and value contribution.
• Coordinate with other functions and impacted stakeholders to assure timely implementation and compliance with the agreed sourcing strategies.
  
  

Other Key Responsibilities

• Help to develop sourcing & procurement best practices within a growing and diverse team.
• Ensure applicable sourcing & procurement policies, SOP’s, and other documents are aligned to business requirements and help to assure they are followed by stakeholders.
• Support sustainability and diversity and inclusion objectives as applicable
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in procurement.
• 5+ years’ experience in category management with demonstrated success.
• Supplier performance management experience.
• Experience managing complex (large value, multi-site, and / or business critical components) sourcing projects and supply situations.
• Proven ability to develop negotiation strategies, and successfully conduct negotiations for complex agreements.
• Possess self-initiative, ability to function with moderate to minimal direction, ability to execute tasks per agreed timeframes,
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct materials category strategy manager experience. Preferably in primary packaging or medical device external supply.
• Experience with Molding and Extrusion processes is preferred.
• MBA or MS in Business, Supply Chain, or Economics.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, or PMP.
• Experience in packaging and assembled device procurement within pharmaceutical or medical device industries.
• Familiarity with procurement tools and systems (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics).
  
  

Hybrid

California residents should review our Notice for California Employees and Applicants before applying.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kindeva Drug Delivery is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, Protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

The expected compensation range for this position represents a good faith estimate. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental, & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences, and 401k Benefits, etc.).

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