Job Description
Gilead Sciences is currently seeking an experienced and strategic leader for the role of Senior Category Manager, supporting multiple categories focused on professional services, and functional outsourcing Clinical Development. The Senior Category Manager will support the global category strategy and execution for IRB, Meeting Planning, and Quality and will provide complex event sourcing and contracting support for functional outsourcing and professional service across the development organization, ensuring quality, compliance, continuity of service, cost effectiveness, and fit-for-purpose solutions across a diverse portfolio of trials and geographies.
The Senior Category Manager will partner with key stakeholders to ensure appropriate sourcing strategies with primary suppliers across the full vendor lifecycle, including vendor identification, RFI/RFP management, bid defense, vendor selection, and contract negotiation. This role requires deep industry experience, broad knowledge of industry practices, and strong expertise in contracting, budgeting, and negotiation processes. The position will have the opportunity to work in a matrix environment and regularly collaborate with management and cross-functional teams. The role operates with minimal direction, determines objectives for assignments, anticipates business, vendor, and regulatory changes, and solves unusual or highly complex problems that may lack precedent or structure.
Job Responsibilities
- Category Strategy & Support (Top Priority)
- Support development of global category strategies and sourcing plans aligned to development objectives.
- Support implementation global vendor strategy and provide input into program and study level vendor strategies.
- Accountable for project performance, results, and value delivery.
- Sourcing & Contracting Execution (Core Accountability)
- As assigned, lead end-to-end sourcing and contracting lifecycle, including RFI/RFP, bid evaluation, vendor selection, negotiation, change orders, and closeout.
- Lead negotiations for complex/high-value agreements, translating business, scientific, and legal requirements into contract terms and budgets.
- Lead bid defenses, vendor capability assessments, and category refresh activities.
- Ensure efficient and optimized contracting processes to support timely execution.
- Translate business requirements into vendor capabilities and recommend fit-for-purpose vendor solutions.
- Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure compliant vendor selection and sourcing practices through risk management, benchmarking, and alignment with Legal, Quality, and Vendor Qualification.
- Ensure sourcing decisions and vendor deliverables comply with global regulatory and internal standards (e.g., clinical trial and diagnostic regulations).
- Support inspection readiness, quality control, and proper contract closeout/archiving.
- Interpret and recommend updates to policies and procedures as needed.
- Stakeholder Partnership & Influence
- Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to develop study requirements, sourcing strategies, and vendor selection decisions.
- Influence adoption of category strategies, preferred vendors, and standard scopes/rate cards.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships across Operations, Legal, Quality, Regulatory, and vendor management functions.
- Value Optimization & Continuous Improvement
- Drive cost containment and value through benchmarking, market intelligence, and use of standard rate cards.
- Identify and implement best practices across vendor selection, contracting, and category management.
- Deliver business value through effective sourcing strategies and contract structures.
- Expertise, Decision-Making & Capability Building
- Serve as an advisor for complex sourcing, contracting, and vendor outsourcing issues.
- Exercise sound judgment in negotiations, escalations, and business tradeoffs.
- Train and guide internal stakeholders on contracting, budgeting, and processes as needed.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with 8 years of experience OR master's degree with 6 years of experience.
Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Demonstrated leadership, thought leadership, and stakeholder management in a fast-paced, matrixed environment, with the ability to operate independently and set priorities.
- Deep expertise in end-to-end sourcing and contracting, including RFP development, vendor evaluation, negotiation, budget development, and contract management.
- Strong knowledge of clinical research, global regulatory requirements, and industry practices across clinical development outsourcing, central labs, and category management.
- Financial, legal, and clinical operations acumen, with the ability to analyze cost drivers and structure complex budgets and agreements.
- Experience managing a broad spectrum of central lab vendors and supporting clinical procurement and vendor outsourcing activities.
- Proven ability to solve complex, ambiguous problems and drive effective solutions across cross-functional stakeholders.
- Strong strategic project management, collaboration, and benchmarking capabilities to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
Preferred Education & Certifications
- Finance / business / science / medical-related degree
- MS/MBA or JD
- Project management certification (e.g., PMP)
- Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) or equivalent
