Global Category Manager - Product Engineering Services

About the Team

Diagnostics Direct Procurement (DOP) is a team of about 200 professionals committed to driving value with suppliers worldwide. The team sources, manages the supplier base, develops and executes category strategies, and continually digitises processes to support sustainable business growth.

Role Overview

As the Global Category Manager for Engineering Services based in Sant Cugat, Spain, you will steer the long‑term category roadmap and command the high‑value supplier ecosystems that drive our global instrument development projects.

Reporting line: Directly reports to the Global Category Lead Capex / Engineering Services / IT within the Category organization.

Wider team and stakeholders: Engages directly with cross‑functional teams composed of representatives from Category, Procurement Center of Excellence, R&D, and other global business partners. Serves as a key business partner contact point for senior functional and business stakeholders in R&D.

Role type: Individual Contributor with global category leadership position focused on strategic vision, category development, pipeline building, and relationship ecosystem management.

Impact

You deliver commercial impact by anchoring cost and developing a resilience pipeline of projects, in addition to securing our sustainability priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Annual Pipeline: Collate market intelligence, supplier data and business requirements to formulate a formalized, global Category Strategy and initiative pipeline aligned with leaders across the organization.
• Commercial Negotiations: Lead high‑value commercial and contractual negotiations for strategic suppliers within the category.
• Supplier Ecosystems: Manage key global suppliers, establish development and innovation programs, monitor value targets, and manage supplier risks.
• Guidance & Content: Develop and maintain category guidance documents to translate strategy into clear, executable content for procurement colleagues and business users.
• Business Partnering: Build deep relationships with senior stakeholders, particularly in R&D, challenge demand/specifications to maximize value, and manage risk/CSR reviews.
• Team & Budget Oversight: Coach procurement colleagues, provide professional development, manage a shared Associate Category Manager, and track budget spend.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: University degree required (Business or Life Sciences focus preferred). A post‑graduate business‑related qualification is preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of in‑depth strategic and operational procurement experience with extensive knowledge of category management and advanced strategic sourcing.
• Regulated Industry: 5+ years of overall business experience working within a regulated industry like Diagnostics with familiarity of relevant legal and quality risks.
• Market Expertise: Deep sub‑category subject matter knowledge of Software Development (e.g., Instrument OS & Embedded Systems, Software Maintenance), Hardware Engineering (e.g., Product Design) and Testing (e.g., SW/HW Testing, Testing Automation, Verification & Validation (V&V)).
• Systems & Analytics: Expert proficiency in navigating enterprise systems, P2P tools, and procurement systems for sourcing events and contract negotiations (e.g., eSourcing, eAuction).
• AI & Digitalization: Advanced knowledge in AI application and a strong affinity to explore AI‑driven solutions broadly, particularly regarding the digital transformation of operations.
• Financial Acumen: Proven financial and business acumen, grounded in total cost of ownership (TCO) and cost modeling.
• Leadership & Change: Strong communication, project management, and change management skills with a demonstrated ability to lead global cross‑functional teams in a fluid environment.
• Languages: Business‑level fluency in English is required.
• Travel: High flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 30%.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.