At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead indirect service categories and develop sourcing strategies for business needs.
- Company: Join Abcam, a life sciences leader committed to innovation and impact.
- Benefits: Comprehensive benefits, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on continuous improvement and stakeholder collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in life sciences while working with a talented global team.
- Qualifications: Degree in Business or Supply Chain Management and 5+ years in procurement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Bring more to life. Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology? At Abcam, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.
Progress happens together. At Abcam, we believe the scientific community goes further, faster when we go there together. That’s why we work with life scientists to provide biological reagents and solutions that enable faster breakthroughs in critical areas like cancer, neurological disorders, infectious diseases and metabolic disorders. Our talented team of over 1,400 colleagues worldwide is our greatest asset. By applying our expertise and pushing boundaries, together we strive to better serve our customers, strengthen our impact across our industry, and ultimately our positive impact on society.
Role Overview: You will be leading a set of indirect subcategories on behalf of the global indirect procurement function, with a significant portion of the role being focused towards Abcam’s non-IT service and supplier requirements. This will include MRO, Logistics, and Business Services categories (inc. HR, Legal and Finance). This is an on-site, permanent role, based in Cambridge, UK.
You will utilise broad knowledge of sourcing to develop and execute sourcing strategies with service suppliers that support the business short and long-term business needs—building and maintaining reliable and high quality supply strategies at the best possible cost. You will establish the approach to maximising value, while maintaining supplier relationships. You will work directly with key business stakeholders to understand strategic initiatives required to support business objectives, as well as opportunities for supply network consolidation and managing business risk. The Category Manager needs to understand market trends and work to identify areas of improvement and leverage to drive additional value for the organisation, while meeting the business requirements.
You will use your relationship management, operations optimisation, continuous improvement, contract design & oversight skills to deliver best total cost, pushing the implementation of best practices within the category of responsibility.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Lead indirect service categories.
- Be globally accountable for a cost-efficient sourcing model for all requirements and locations in scope, including benchmarking the markets specific to the indirect categories and an ability to demonstrate what best value is.
- Partner with the relevant internal and external stakeholders to deliver best in class sourcing for the category, ensuring to understand and incorporate market trends, dynamics and requirements are ‘fit for purpose’.
- Use Category management tools and techniques to address cost, value added opportunities, business continuity, quality and service of supply.
- Negotiate contractual terms with suppliers of the category to achieve quality, service and cost targets.
- Management of the end to end contracting process using our contracts repository and working closely with our legal team to ensure the best commercial terms and value delivery short and long term.
- Create SRM models that address the business needs above and beyond price, developing strategic suppliers and short and long term risk and rewards model that create gains that address the ongoing challenges of the business and supplier base.
- Display a total cost of ownership mindset to drive value within Abcam.
- Apply risk management techniques to ensure appropriate measures are taken to mitigate against financial, reputational, legal, business continuity and performance risk exposure.
The essential requirements of the job include:
- Degree in Business, Operations / Engineering, or Supply Chain Management. Holder of CIPS accreditation or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement and previous experience with most indirect procurement categories.
- Proven track record in creating and executing Category Management strategies.
- Ability to lead negotiations and deliver cost savings.
- Previous experience leading contract negotiations that minimise / reduce risk exposure to the business.
- Strong influencing skills to manage stakeholders and suppliers.
Abcam, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job.
Global Indirect Procurement Leader (Services & MRO) in Cambridge employer: Abcam
At Abcam, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of belonging and innovation, where your unique perspective is valued. As a Global Indirect Procurement Leader based in Cambridge, UK, you will not only lead critical sourcing strategies that impact life sciences but also benefit from comprehensive employee programmes that enhance your work-life balance and professional growth. Join us to make a tangible difference in the scientific community while enjoying a supportive environment that prioritises collaboration and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Indirect Procurement Leader (Services & MRO) in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the life sciences and procurement sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and learn about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Abcam and Danaher’s values and recent projects. Show how your experience aligns with their mission to innovate for tangible impact. Tailor your responses to highlight your skills in sourcing and supplier management.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves leading contract negotiations, consider role-playing scenarios with friends or mentors. This will help you feel more confident when discussing terms with potential suppliers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Indirect Procurement Leader (Services & MRO) in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role and the life sciences industry shine through. We want to see how your unique viewpoint aligns with our mission to innovate and make a tangible impact.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in procurement, especially in indirect categories like MRO and logistics. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead negotiations and deliver cost savings.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and achievements, as we appreciate direct communication that gets to the heart of what you can bring to the team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Abcam.
How to prepare for a job interview at Abcam
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the indirect procurement categories mentioned in the job description. Understand the nuances of MRO, Logistics, and Business Services. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to lead these areas effectively.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of past negotiations where you achieved significant cost savings or improved supplier relationships. Be ready to discuss your approach to contract negotiations and how you mitigate risks, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Understand Market Trends
Research current market trends related to indirect procurement and be prepared to discuss how they could impact Abcam's sourcing strategies. Showing that you’re aware of the broader industry landscape will highlight your strategic thinking abilities.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think about how you can establish strong relationships with both internal stakeholders and suppliers. Prepare to share your strategies for effective communication and collaboration, as this will be key to succeeding in the role and driving value for the organisation.
