Global Category Manager – Clinical

Global Category Manager – Clinical / Direct Procurement Pharma, Healthcare & Animal Health – Madrid/Multiple Hubs Across EuropeWe are partnering with a leading organisation within the healthcare and life sciences sector, continuing its procurement transformation journey across direct clinical and R&D categories. This is an opportunity to bring structure, innovation, and best-practice procurement to a growing European operation.With an expanding footprint across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and animal health, this role suits individuals looking to combine operational delivery with strategic influence in a regulated, science-driven environment.The OpportunityA Global Category Manager – Clinical / Directs is required to drive sourcing excellence from the organisation’s hub in Madrid .You will work closely with R&D, clinical operations, legal, finance, regulatory and quality teams to shape category strategies, strengthen supplier relationships, and embed consistent sourcing standards and documentation.What Makes This Role DifferentGlobal remit supporting a maturing procurement function across clinical and scientific categoriesInfluence category strategy, implement sourcing frameworks, and standardise processes across areas such as:Clinical trial services, full-service CROs and specialist providersBiomarker, central laboratory and bioanalytical servicesLab equipment, consumables, and scientific technologyPackaging, materials, and external manufacturing partnersDrive both commercial value and risk/compliance outcomes , including GxP alignment, audit readiness, and service qualityOpportunity to contribute to project governance , reporting, dashboards, benchmarking initiatives, templates, process descriptions, and continuous improvement projectsQualificationsProven experience in clinical or R&D procurement within pharmaceuticals, biotech, healthcare or related regulated sectorsHands‑on experience managing RFP/RFI cycles, rate cards, master service agreements (MSAs), scope of work (SOW) development, and contract execution with clinical vendors or CROsAbility to conduct market analysis , benchmark service offerings, and manage supplier performance using defined KPIsStrong cross‑functional stakeholder engagement with teams such as clinical operations, regulatory affairs, QA, finance, legal , and technical/scientific functionsConfidence working with structured reporting , savings tracking, documentation standards, and procurement systems (e.g. Ariba, contract management workflows, dashboards)A mindset for process improvement , simplification, and bringing consistency to sourcing documentation, templates, and workflowsLocation & Ways of WorkingMy client is open to candidates based in most locations throughout EuropeOccasional European travel to engage suppliers and global teamsWhy ApplyThis role offers scope far beyond transactional procurement.You will be part of a transformation journey with the chance to:Shape how clinical and scientific categories are sourcedBuild long‑term supplier partnershipsCreate templates, tools, best‑practice documentation and reporting structuresInfluence strategic decision-making in a science‑led, global environmentIf you are motivated by ownership, process maturity, stakeholder collaboration, and delivering measurable value , we would love to hear from you.Apply nowSend your CV to Adam at KeywordsProcurement, Clinical Procurement, Category Manager, Directs, CRO Management, Biomarkers, Central Labs, RFP, MSA, SOW, R&D Procurement, Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences, Healthcare, Animal Health, Madrid, GxP, Contracting, Process Improvement, Supplier Management, Transformation#J-18808-Ljbffr