Category Lead, Marketing Procurement

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life.

Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines.

Our 109,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.Our location in lake Bluff, IL currently has an opportunity for a Category Lead, Marketing ProcurementMarketing Procurement Category Lead position is responsible for identified global categories within Marketing Procurement and business management in the core job responsibilities identified below.

Works in close collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders, regions, divisions and the other Category Managers on the team driving value, quality, feasibility while adhering to a strict standard of business ethics and integrity.

Provides superior levels of customer service and satisfaction.

This position will work on the category strategy, specific workstreams related to digital and potentially other marketing sub-categories, definition and resolution of known or anticipated problems.

Proactively seeks and leads innovative ways to improve the marketing procurement processes, cycle times, and customer service levels.

Additional opportunities for development and increased responsibility across categories will be made available.CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES* Responsible for managing categories within Marketing Procurement Category.

Current scope of responsibilities is global and includes over $150MM-$250MM of Marketing/Advertising spend.* Understands business requirements and challenges; including priorities, must win battles and key value drivers.

Transforms this understanding into solutions and the category sourcing strategies* Confirms business objectives, challenges, projects, requirements and expectations and translates into category strategic planning processes and solutions* Provide the business compelling category and sourcing insights to contribute to business strategies* Drives Value Creation: Identifies specific cost improvement opportunities and presents them to the marketing leadership for prioritization, resourcing and implementation; aligns with regional teams on the implementation plans and drives execution and adherence to the strategy* Own and measure cost improvement targets and projects.

Report out to the key business stakeholders as appropriate* Enable supplier evaluation processes and KPIs definition and monitoring* Research supply base and industry / marketplace* Conduct analysis on industry, regional and divisional requirements and suppliers* Lead the development of benchmarks globally and understand marketing category industry dynamics through agencies capabilities sessions, attendance of industry related workshops, reading publications and discussions with other industry peers in order to bring best practices* Guide stakeholders (internal and external) on how to structure and implement RFQs/RFIs/RFPs to obtain best-in-class supplier capabilities* Lead complex RFQs/RFIs/RFPs* Provide support during the vendor screening and vendor selection process* Develop and drive fact-based negotiation strategies with high profile vendors within assigned categories* Ability to work with various legal and business functions to execute Master Service Agreements and Statements of Work between Abbott and suppliers* Recommend process improvements to streamline for efficiencies* Communicate issues to leadership while driving for resolution* Utilize technology and tools effectivelyRelationship ManagementSeek, develop and establish business relationships with key agencies/suppliers.

Meet regularly with regional and divisional stakeholders to ensure superior customer satisfaction and continuous improvement against category objectives are met.

Develop partnership with core agencies and suppliers in order to help with any negotiations or escalation issues as well as building a foundation of trust such that new strategic initiatives can be proposed.Strategic ThinkingProvide advice/direction/lead in primary areas of expertise.Key Characteristics/Attributes:* 7+ years’ experience in procurement or/and elite advertising agency experience in an account management or strategy/planning role* Strategic planning, and/or executive management function.

Ideally experience in both* Experience in leading and managing cross-functional teams* Strategic thinking and problem solving* Ability to take initiative, make decisions and impactful recommendations* Demonstrate superior communication skills (written and verbal)* High tolerance for ambiguity, must process and prioritize potentially conflicting objectives* Results Focus.

All actions tied to company performance and achieving results* Highly collaborative position, requires strong ability to influence, cooperate with all levels of the organization including sr.

leaders.* Impact/Influence others.

This position requires a high degree of leadership, decision making and persuasive skills* Capable of efficiently and quickly navigate sensitive situations* Project management skills with proficient use of excel.

Strong ability to learn new systems and tools.* Experience leading complex/high visibility projectsAt Abbott, you can have a good job that can grow into a great career.

We offer:* Training and career development, with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance* Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives and retirement plans* Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs* Paid time off* 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match* The stability of a company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communitiesLearn more about our benefits that add real value to your life to help you live fully:www.abbottbenefits.comFollow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that provides the growth and strength to build your future.

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.