Sr Category Manager (Logistics)

Job Summary The Senior Category Manager – Logistics is accountable for developing and executing complex logistics category strategies across transportation, distribution, and 4PL services within the United States and broader Americas region. This role serves as the senior regional subject matter expert for logistics procurement, translating global category strategies into regionally compliant, cost-effective, and resilient sourcing solutions that support the regulated pharmaceutical supply chain. Operating with a high degree of independence in a global matrixed environment, the role leads complex sourcing initiatives, manages strategic supplier relationships, and influences senior stakeholders across Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, and Legal to balance cost, service, risk, and sustainability outcomes. Principal Activities And Responsibilities Category Strategy & Governance • Develop, own, and execute multi-year logistics category strategies for 4PL, transportation, and distribution across the Americas, fully aligned with global procurement objectives and business priorities. • Translate global category direction into regionally executable strategies that reflect U.S. regulatory requirements (FDA, DOT), market conditions, and operational realities. • Lead category planning, demand forecasting, and initiative prioritization to support business growth, product launches, and network changes. • Ensure category strategies address service resilience, total cost of ownership, compliance, and sustainability objectives. Strategic Sourcing & Execution • Convert category strategies into structured annual sourcing roadmaps with clear value, risk, performance outcomes, and sustainable pipeline management. • Lead complex sourcing events including RFPs, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract awards for high-value logistics services. • Negotiate commercial and service agreements covering rates, SLAs, climate/temperature control requirements, business continuity, and innovative commitments that deliver measurable value in productivity, quality, speed, and innovation. • Leverage market intelligence, freight and energy indices, benchmarking data, and analytics to drive fact-based sourcing decisions and stakeholder recommendations. • Ensure full compliance with procurement governance, financial controls, and risk management standards. Supplier & Contract Management • Build and deploy strategic partnerships with leading global and regional logistics providers through a globally defined ecosystem across the Americas. • Surface regional market insights and supplier partnerships to inform global supplier strategy and portfolio decisions. • Implement structured supplier performance management programs, including KPIs, scorecards, QBRs, and continuous improvement plans focused on supplier consolidation, innovation partnerships, and risk mitigation. • Provide regional insights on capacity, performance, and emerging providers to support global supplier strategy decisions. Stakeholder Management • Act as a trusted commercial and strategic partner to Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, and regional business leaders. • Ensure logistics sourcing decisions fully support GDP, cold chain, and product integrity requirements. • Influence senior stakeholders through data-driven insights, market intelligence, and clear articulation of trade-offs and recommendations. • Support logistics-related transformations, network redesigns, and digital initiatives from a procurement perspective. Value Creation & Continuous Improvement • Deliver measurable and sustainable outcomes in cost efficiency, service excellence, risk reduction, and environmental impact. • Drive initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and distribution, including modal shifts, supplier sustainability programs, and packaging optimization. • Improve cost transparency across logistics sub-categories through standardized rate cards, engagement models, and spend analytics. • Contribute to the evolution of procurement processes, tools, policies, and governance frameworks. • Promote cross-regional collaboration and best-practice sharing across Global Indirect Procurement. Education • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline. • MBA or professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, CIPS, or Lean Six Sigma are strongly preferred. Experience • Minimum 10 years of procurement or category management experience, with at least 5 years specializing in logistics (4PL, transportation, distribution). • Experience within regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or medical devices is strongly preferred. • Proven track record managing high-value logistics contracts in complex multinational environments. • Demonstrated success delivering cost savings, service improvements, and supplier-led innovation through strategic sourcing initiatives. Skills & Competencies • Deep expertise in U.S. logistics regulations, cold chain requirements, and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards. • Strong commercial acumen and advanced negotiation capabilities. • Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior leadership levels. • Strong analytical capability with well-developed market intelligence and data analysis skills. • Ability to operate effectively in matrixed, global organizations. • Hands-on, results-oriented leadership style with a continuous improvement mindset. Technical Proficiency • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Copilot. • Experience with digital procurement platforms such as SAP Ariba or equivalent systems. • Working knowledge of ERP systems supporting sourcing, contracting, and supplier management. • Familiarity with analytics, dashboards, Power BI, and data visualization tools. Additional Requirements • Commitment to corporate values and adherence to company standards and management systems related to Health, Safety, Environment, Energy, and Quality (HSEEQ). • Willingness to work in a global, multicultural environment and travel as required. Salary 165k