Senior Procurement Specialist at Abbott Laboratories

The Senior Procurement Specialist is responsible for leading and executing the procurement engineering activities for assigned categories and subcategories.  Work closely with key stakeholders in both Corporate and Division organizations to develop effective cost reduction strategies, improve supply chain resiliency, and drive innovation through New Product Implementation (NPI).   Nurture stakeholder relationships by serving as a business partner, helping identify critical business requirements and providing sourcing and procurement services that exceed expectations. Drive reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) by standardizing component specifications and optimizing Tier 2 and Tier 3 supply chains. Leverage extensive market and supplier knowledge to drive lower TCO. Represent Abbott strategically in the industry and community. Be recognized as a thought leader within strategic discipline. Significantly influence functional strategy. Lead initiatives. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

• Proactively identifies areas of opportunity for new business opportunities, process improvement, and cost efficiencies. 

• Provides insight to the business unit on how to best develop and leverage Component manufacturers capabilities for the organization(s). 

• Be considered an SME across plastic component categories.  

• Evaluating and select suppliers, negotiate supply agreements, and monitor the quality and timely delivery of materials. 

• Maintain a strong understanding of "One Procurement" category strategies and work on projects that impact the "One Procurement" team. 

Core Responsibilities:  

• Develop and implement procurement plans and strategies to support business needs. Deliver results. 

• Lead projects/initiatives that have significant impact upon global business. 

• Provide technical support for electronic component life cycle management and improvements. 

• Meet regularly with corporate and divisional customers and lead functions to ensure superior customer satisfaction and continuous improvement for efficiencies. 

• Develop sourcing plan and execute against larger category strategies and work in the guidance of Category Leads/Managers. 

• Anticipate internal/external business challenges and drive change. 

• Solve complex problems, taking a broad perspective to identify solutions. 

• Educate internal stakeholders on existing solutions and enable performance and tech tools development. 

• Develop and manage supplier KPI's. 

• Drive value enhancement and cost savings for categories. 

Strategic Thinking:  

• Leverage professional expertise and relationships to contribute to strategy and drive business results. Lead the development of functional strategy. 

• Lead change and innovation. Stimulate creativity and innovation in others. Be open to new ideas. Support change and take appropriate risks.  Promote a Global Perspective. 

• Support component category procurement strategy for Abbott. Align with overall strategy and be an enabler. 

• Drive TCO reductions for category. Clearly define category taxonomy and manage baseline. 

• Advise business unit(s) about similar strategies employed by other healthcare companies. 

• Manage initiatives that span virtual teams across the world. 

Relationship Management:  

• Partner with business leaders (Manager, Director) to manage and align the category. Closely collaborate with adjacent business departments and external partners to ensure adequate and timely delivery of agreed services, in line with agreed service levels. 

• Partner and collaborate with key One Procurement staff of other Abbott divisions in order to support cross-divisional business initiatives and explore Procurement synergies and efficiencies. 

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key category vendors as well as counterparts at other Healthcare/Consumer companies. Manage ongoing Supplier relationships. 

• Develop and implement agreed purchasing strategies for category 

• Initiate a collaborative environment among stakeholders 

• Maintain strong relationships across various functions, demonstrate the value-add of leveraging and build enthusiasm and support for adoption. 

• Ensure optimal balance between value for money and cost savings is achieved, while ensuring quality and good customer service 

• Continually look for opportunities for cost reductions and cost avoidance and to provide overall value. 

• Manage category projects across business unit, and division wide when and where applicable. Participate in business projects based on category expertise. 

Leading People: 

• Lead project teams responsible for selection of category strategy. 

• Identifies and deals with people issues in a constructive and timely manner. 

• Responsible for overall morale of team and promotes cohesive attitude. 

Compliance  

• Responsible for compliance with applicable Corporate and Divisional policies and procedures. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE YOU’LL BRING 

Required Skills and Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in technical discipline 

• Successful 4+ year track record within procurement, supply chain, operations, or engineering.  

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) 

• Excellent interdisciplinary, intercultural, influence, and networking skills 

• Ability to develop actionable implementation plans and drive results 

• Relevant business process knowledge, as related to Procurement and Category Management. 

Desired Skills and Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or relevant certification (e.g., CPSM, CPM, PMP) 

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar certification. 

• Excellent analytical skills and ability to utilize advanced MS Excel skills or other tools for reporting and trending. 

• Excellent program/project management skills. 

• Able to deal with ambiguity and adapt to change. 

• Experience with supplier management. 

• Excellent negotiation skills. 

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal). 

• Excellent interdisciplinary and intercultural influencing and networking skills. 

• Deep knowledge of Injection Molding, Blow Molding, or Extrusion and related raw materials technologies and products.