Category Manager
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
Summary
The Category Manager, Direct Materials & Site Services Sourcing is responsible for defining and executing sourcing strategies for Direct Materials (e.g., APIs, Excipients, Packaging Components, etc.) utilized by our internal manufacturing network in addition to site services supporting those operations (e.g., uniforms, janitorial, energy, etc.). The role emphasizes business continuity, risk mitigation, and cost effectiveness across the product portfolio, and the development of high-performing supplier partnerships that support reliable commercial supply.
Job description
Key Accountabilities
- Develop sourcing strategies aligned to manufacturing needs.
- Design resilient supply networks considering capacity, cost, regulatory, and geographic risk.
- Lead business continuity planning including dual sourcing, contingency planning, and disruption response.
- Integrate with Supply Chain planning, S&OP, and inventory strategies to ensure continuity.
- Initiate supplier discovery and develop productive strategic alliances and partnerships with leading edge suppliers to maximize buying leverage.
- Prepare competitive bids, quotations and proposals with pertinent specifications, terms and conditions.
- Evaluate competitive offerings to determine the overall best offer for a material or service; manage the analysis of proposals in support of the bid evaluation process.
- Collaborate with Legal to develop contracts and agreements for the supply of standard products and services with new and existing suppliers.
- Oversee the contract negotiation with suppliers (e.g., supply agreements, services agreements, amendments, extensions, statements of work, etc.).
- Manage and resolve contract and purchase order differences with suppliers.
- Support resolution of payment problems with suppliers and user departments.
- Review product availability and/or pricing information with suppliers.
- Achieve and contribute to each site’s annual savings goal.
- Identify cost reduction, cost avoidance, and cost containment opportunities.
- Analyze forecasted spend data to assist in the development of the appropriate procurement approach.
- Analyze supply market information and leverage this to make effective sourcing decisions.
- Utilize relevant procurement and contracting systems.
Relationship Management
Customer Relationships: Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand customer priorities, develop and agree upon sourcing strategies/plans, set expectations for effective value delivery, help the customer understand and engage with procurement requirements, develop supplier selection process with cross functional stakeholders, and establish standard process for the selection and approval of new projects.
Supplier Relationships: Develops internal and external relationships with suppliers and cross-functional teams to develop, establish, and maintain a supplier relationship system in alignment with the Supplier Relationship Management Program; assist in developing supplier performance measurements; support reviewing supplier samples and/or demonstrations; coordinate supplier visits and evaluations; skillfully apply appropriate procurement approach in negotiations; independently prepare and lead negotiations to conclusion; resolve quality problems with suppliers and functional groups; coordinate, review and respond to supplier inquiries, protests and appeals; provide insight input on supply chain inventory levels and supply issues.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Life Sciences, or Business; advanced degree preferred.
- 7 – 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical direct material sourcing (e.g., APIs, Excipients, Packaging Components, etc.).
- 4 – 6 years in a position leading cross-functional teams in the development of sourcing strategies for direct materials and/or manufacturing site services.
- Proven experience managing direct material supplier relationships and negotiating complex supply agreements.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple complex projects.
- Experience utilizing procurement, contract lifecycle management (CLM), supplier management, and spend analytics platforms, including Coupa, Fairmarkit, Ariba, Ivalua, Jaggaer, SAP, IntelAgree, or similar solutions.
- Strong knowledge and skills with ERP, Procurement and Sourcing systems, MS Excel, MS Word, and MS PowerPoint.
- Effective communication skills to work professionally with internal and external personnel at all levels.
- Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability.
- Demonstrated knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing, the external manufacturing supply market, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Bonus program
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k) Matching
- Paid Time Off
Company overview
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals is a global specialty pharmaceutical company founded in 1867 with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and operational headquarters in the United States. The company develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies across two main segments: Specialty Brands and Specialty Generics. The Specialty Brands segment focuses on autoimmune and rare diseases in areas such as neurology, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, and oncology, as well as immunotherapy, neonatal respiratory critical care therapies, analgesics, and gastrointestinal products. The Specialty Generics segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Mallinckrodt is particularly known for its flagship product Acthar Gel, a naturally sourced complex mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone analogs used to treat various autoimmune disorders and medical conditions known to cause inflammation. The company has approximately 1,001-5,000 employees worldwide and operates with a direct sales presence in roughly 50 countries. Mallinckrodt has faced significant legal challenges related to opioid litigation and pricing controversies surrounding Acthar Gel, leading to bankruptcy filings in 2020 and 2023. In 2025, the company announced a merger with Endo to create a larger, diversified pharmaceuticals leader.