Senior Category Manager

<span class="jobdescription"><h2>THE POSITION</h2> <p>Acting globally and working cross‑functionally, the Senior Category Manager plays a key role in shaping sourcing strategies that ensure sustainable, competitive supply and high service quality for our interventional clinical trials. The role combines strategic responsibility for a global category with active supplier management, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement of sourcing approaches.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Tasks and Responsibilities</h2> <ul> <li>You make a significant impact on the success of the Global Sourcing Clinical Development team by applying your strategic strength, persuasiveness and assertiveness. You will be responsible for sourcing activities within global Human Pharma’s clinical services categories.</li> <li>You assume responsibility for a worldwide category, managed in a highly centralised manner, by consistently challenging the existing status quo. Identifying enhancements and convincing the upper management to follow new ways of working will be part of your responsibility</li> <li>You act as global supplier manager for core service providers, establishing and enforcing a robust governance system to ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices.</li> <li>One of the key aims of this role is to further develop and strengthen relationships with external strategic partners. In parallel, you closely monitor the market and identify suppliers that best fit business needs.</li> <li>You continuously observe supply markets, search for new partners, service providers and solutions, while analysing and mitigating risks within the category.</li> <li>You manage a high volume of sourcing requests independently and ensure successful negotiation outcomes. Resulting contracts are managed in close alignment with internal business partners.</li> <li>You work closely with cross‑functional teams to implement cutting edge methods of working and contribute to improvements in speed, cost efficiency, value generation, use of new technologies and optimisation of buying channels</li> <li>You support the development and upskilling of sourcing colleagues through training and mentorship.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <h2>Requirements</h2> <ul> <li>Experience in procuring services or goods, preferably within a pharmaceutical or similarly regulated environment and in a global sourcing context.</li> <li>Knowledge of market intelligence and sourcing practices related to Clinical Development services is an advantage.</li> <li>Experience with sourcing or supporting services related to early‑stage clinical development, including early clinical trials. Experience with fully outsourced trials is an advantage.</li> <li>Good understanding of established sourcing methodologies, including demand management, market and supplier analysis, compliance management, due diligence, risk management, supplier management, contract management and negotiation techniques.</li> <li>Extensive experience in working on international projects and collaborating with cross‑functional teams consisting of internal and external partners.</li> <li>A master’s degree in business administration or an equivalent professional qualification; candidates with a bachelor’s degree combined with relevant professional experience will also be considered</li> <li>Open‑minded, motivated and persuasive approach, combined with strong internal and external relationship management skills and willingness to take on responsibility.</li> <li>Team‑oriented mindset with the ability to work collaboratively in diverse, cross‑functional and international teams.</li> <li>Strong communication skills in English; German language skills are an advantage.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><u>Please note: This is a fully remote position, open to candidates based anywhere in the UK or Ireland. Occasional business travel to Germany is required several times per year to support key stakeholder interactions and strategic sourcing activities.</u></p> <p> </p> <h2>WHY THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK</h2> <p>Boehringer Ingelheim has been recognised as a Top Employer in the UK, demonstrating our commitment to building an exceptional workplace through strong people practices and supportive HR policies.</p> <p>To learn more about why BI is a great place to work, visit:</p> <p><a href="https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk/careers/uk-careers/why-great-place-work">https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk/careers/uk-careers/why-great-place-work</a></p> </span>

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...