At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead indirect procurement categories and develop sourcing strategies for non-IT services.
- Company: Join Abcam, a life sciences innovator committed to making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive benefits, including health care and paid time off.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a difference in life sciences while driving cost-efficient sourcing.
- Qualifications: Degree in Business or Supply Chain Management and 5+ years in procurement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ 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.
Indirect Procurement Category Manager in Cambridge employer: Abcam
At Abcam, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of belonging and innovation, where your unique perspective is valued. As an Indirect Procurement Category Manager in Cambridge, UK, you will not only lead critical sourcing strategies that impact life sciences but also benefit from comprehensive programmes that enhance your well-being and career growth. Join us to make a tangible difference in the scientific community while enjoying a supportive work environment that prioritises collaboration and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Indirect Procurement Category Manager 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, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings at Abcam or other companies.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your achievements in indirect procurement. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've driven cost savings or improved supplier relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to hiring managers or recruiters at Abcam through LinkedIn. Express your interest in the Indirect Procurement Category Manager role and ask if they’d be open to a chat about potential opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on market trends! Keep an eye on the latest developments in procurement and life sciences. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show that you're genuinely interested in the field and ready to contribute to Abcam’s mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Indirect Procurement Category Manager in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Life Sciences:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for life sciences and biotechnology shine through. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission to innovate and make a tangible impact in these fields.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in indirect procurement and category management. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead negotiations and deliver cost savings, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so use bullet points where possible to outline your skills and achievements. This helps us quickly see how you fit into our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abcam
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the indirect procurement categories you'll be managing. Understand the latest trends in MRO, Logistics, and Business Services. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare 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. This will demonstrate your capability to lead negotiations effectively.
✨Understand Abcam's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Abcam’s commitment to life sciences and their impact on society. Be prepared to discuss how your role as an Indirect Procurement Category Manager can contribute to their mission. This shows that you’re aligned with their values and understand the bigger picture.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Think of insightful questions to ask your interviewers about their current challenges in procurement or how they measure success in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture and expectations align with your career goals.
