Strategic Category Manager – Research and Development

at  GE Healthcare

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

This position will be responsible for supporting the coordination and management of global R&D procurement and sourcing needs of GE Pharmaceutical Diagnostics’ (PDx) preclinical, CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) and supplier aspects of drug product development, planned and current clinical trials globally in line with PDx category strategy.
GE HealthCare is a leading global medical technology and digital solutions innovator. Our mission is to improve lives in the moments that matter. Unlock your ambition, turn ideas into world-changing realities, and join an organization where every voice makes a difference, and every difference builds a healthier world.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, together with related industry experience.
• Experience in category management and sourcing along with defining and delivering effective category strategies which achieved significant cost transformations.
• Experience in pharmaceutical research operations, compliance, clinical study execution and supplier/vendor management.
• Experience working within a preclinical or CRO environment would be an advantage.
• Strong Interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Established project management skills.
• Strong business acumen and capacity to understand complex industry dynamics (supplier/partner/product relationships).
• Excellent communication skills and ability to interact and partner with all levels of management in the company.
• Project management skills to execute complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Fast learner: ability to learn enough of a complex industry and products to interact with highly technical experts, internal stakeholders and lead discussions, negotiations.
• Inclusiveness: ability to partner, support and listen and influence a wide array of internal and external
• Ability to energize, develop and build rapport at all levels within an organization.
• Willing to travel internationally up to 15% of time.

• As an integral member of the PDx Sourcing and R&D teams will be responsible for developing and maintaining a lean and strategic approach to our supplier management for the R&D supply base.
• Ensure all activities with external vendors are awarded and maintained in compliance with Good Clinical Practice, Standard Operating Procedures, and Corporate Policies, Guidelines and Standards.
• Responsible for maintaining internal collaboration between R&D, Product Management, Supply Chain & Direct material Sourcing (commercial launch planning), Quality and regulatory organizations within the PDx business.
• Responsible for supporting of new suppliers onto the Approved Supplier List for the current and future business needs, identifying gaps and identifying suitable suppliers to address the business need both regionally and globally.
• Execute agreed strategic sourcing strategy within the category and sub-categories to develop appropriate contracting frameworks to commercially capture the outputs and manage all ongoing performance against live agreements.
• Support and manage the identification and selection process of clinical vendor such as CROs, central labs, IVRS, Imaging, ePRO, etc., and support vendors for R&D efforts such as regulatory, quality, etc.
• Generates Requests for Information (RFI), Request for Quotations (RFQ) and Requests for Proposals (RFP).
• Coordinates bid defenses and proposal review meetings and provides analysis to project teams.
• Contract lifecycle management: including support the drafting and management R&D contracts and change orders, including active negotiation of scope of work, payment terms and budgets.
• Works with the R&D Operations team, Clinical Project Directors, Portfolio Operations Manager and Contract Managers and or the Legal Team to support requirements and contractual needs and Change Orders.
• Works with Finance on budget/forecasting needs, cash flow, project budgets, etc.
• In partnership with the Quality and Supplier Quality organizations, ensures quality oversight of suppliers.
• Developing and maintain relationships with external partners, ensuring ongoing feedback and issue escalation is performed where needed.
• Measure’s supplier performance utilizing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Scorecard/Metric activities; and communicating feedback to the supplier, encourage adaptation on best practices across supplier types and development of continuous process improvements/ maintenance.
• Support supplier governance meetings and operating reviews.
• Develops effective partnerships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Identifies current trends in practices in the industry and develops a strategy around these trends that is then well communicated to internal stakeholders and implemented.
• Supports and contributes to complex functional or company initiatives and special projects as identified by executive management or business need.