Technical Category Manager

The Opportunity

The Technical Category Manager, Plastics & Tooling is responsible for developing and executing global category strategies across plastic components, injection molding, tooling, and related manufacturing technologies. This role combines deep technical expertise in plastics engineering with strategic category management to deliver innovation, supply chain resiliency, quality, and total cost of ownership improvements across Abbott's businesses. Serving as the primary link between Engineering, R&D, Operations, Supplier Quality, and Procurement, the Technical Category Manager translates technical requirements into scalable sourcing and manufacturing strategies. The role leads enterprise-wide tooling strategy implementation, supports new product introduction (NPI), assist in implementation of sustainability strategies and drives supplier-enabled innovation across plastic component categories. As a recognized subject matter expert in plastics manufacturing and tooling technologies, this individual leads the Plastics Engineering Community of Practice from a Procurement lens and the Plastics Procurement team Community of Practice, fostering collaboration, capability development, and alignment between technical and commercial teams across Abbott.

What You'll Work On

• Develop and execute Abbott's global category strategy for plastic components, injection molding, tooling, resin technologies, and related manufacturing processes, managing approximately $800MM in spend
• Serve as Abbott's technical subject matter expert in plastics engineering, polymer materials, tooling, injection molding, and component manufacturing technologies.
• Lead supplier strategy including market assessments, supplier selection, commercial negotiations, contracting, performance management, and long-term partnership development.
• Develop and implement an enterprise-wide tooling strategy and roadmap focused on standardization, governance, asset lifecycle management, capacity planning, supply resiliency, and supplier capability development.
• Partner closely with Procurement, Engineering, R&D, Operations, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and strategic suppliers to align technical requirements with business objectives.
• Drive supplier innovation, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), early supplier engagement, and best-in-class manufacturing practices to support product commercialization and operational excellence.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) and product lifecycle initiatives by ensuring supplier readiness, tooling scalability, manufacturing capability, and supply continuity.
• Drive total cost of ownership improvements through resin optimization, component standardization, tooling efficiency, process enhancements, manufacturing productivity, and supply chain optimization.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments, manufacturing reviews, and benchmarking activities to inform sourcing, investment, and business decisions.
• Monitor and communicate emerging industry trends, materials, technologies, and supplier capabilities to identify opportunities for innovation, competitive advantage, and improved manufacturing performance.
• Lead cross-functional global initiatives and communities of practice that promote technical excellence, knowledge sharing, standardization, and best practices across Abbott divisions.
• Mentor procurement and engineering professionals and represent Abbott with industry associations, suppliers, technical conferences, and external forums to strengthen market leadership and manufacturing capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in plastics engineering, injection molding, tooling, manufacturing, supplier management, procurement, or category management.
• Demonstrated understanding of injection molding processes, tool design and construction, tooling validation, and plastic component manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of polymer materials, manufacturing cost drivers, supplier processes, and tooling economics.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving engineering, operations, and procurement stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic category plans that deliver measurable business results.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, influence, project management skills, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing, or Master's in Business Administration (MBA).
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, PMP, or Six Sigma.
• Experience quoting contract manufacturing and plastic manufacturing process and equipment
• Experience in medical device, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Advanced knowledge of injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, automation, and mold-making technologies.
• Experience managing global tooling programs, mold transfers, supplier networks, and manufacturing capacity expansion initiatives.
• Familiarity with DFM methodologies, Moldflow analysis, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Demonstrated success leading communities of practice, technical councils, or enterprise capability-building initiatives.
• Deep knowledge of global plastics, resin, tooling, and manufacturing supply markets.