JOB DESCRIPTION:

Category Lead, Indirect – Capital Procurement

Have you ever wanted to make a difference?
At Abbott, you will play a crucial role in helping people live more fully at all stages of their lives. Abbott is a global healthcare leader, and our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional products, and branded generic medicines. Our 113,000 colleagues have a daily impact on the lives of people in more than 160 countries.
At Abbott, you can shape your career as you help shape the future of healthcare.

Job Summary

The Category Lead for Capital Procurement will be responsible for leading and executing sourcing and supply management activities across capital equipment, engineering services, and infrastructure investments. This role partners closely with stakeholders across Corporate, Division, and Site levels to develop and implement cost-effective, compliant, and value-driven procurement strategies. The role requires deep technical understanding, strategic foresight, and strong stakeholder engagement to support Abbott’s manufacturing and innovation agenda.
Recognized as a thought leader in capital sourcing, the Category Lead will influence functional strategy, lead cross-functional initiatives, and drive total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements across the capital portfolio.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement capital procurement strategies aligned with Abbott’s manufacturing and investment roadmap.
• Lead sourcing initiatives for capital equipment, automation systems, engineering services, and construction projects.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Project Management teams to ensure procurement supports project timelines and technical specifications.
• Drive supplier selection, negotiation, and contract execution for high-value capital projects.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure performance, innovation, and risk mitigation.
• Support capital planning processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and lifecycle cost analysis.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver strategic sourcing outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, process improvement, and supplier innovation.
• Ensure compliance with GxP, EHS, and Corporate Procurement policies.

Strategic Thinking

• Define and execute category strategy for capital procurement, aligned with Abbott’s global investment priorities.
• Drive TCO reductions and value creation across capital categories.
• Coordinate across divisions and functions to share best practices and ensure alignment.
• Understand the strategic needs of multiple business units and negotiate solutions that meet technical and financial objectives.
• Benchmark against industry peers and advise on capital sourcing trends and innovations.
• Lead change and innovation in capital sourcing approaches, including digital tools and supplier collaboration models.

Relationship Management

• Partner with Engineering Directors, Project Managers, and Site Leadership to align procurement with project goals.
• Collaborate with One Procurement colleagues across divisions to leverage scale and synergies.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key capital suppliers and industry partners.
• Foster a collaborative environment across internal and external stakeholders.
• Promote the value of strategic procurement and build support for sourcing initiatives.
• Manage supplier performance and continuous improvement programs.

Compliance

Ensure adherence to Corporate and Divisional procurement policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. Support audit readiness and documentation for capital procurement activities.

Key Organizational Relationships

• Site Engineering and Project Management teams
• Manufacturing Division Leadership
• Corporate Finance and Capital Planning
• Regional and Global Procurement Category Leads
• EHS and Quality Assurance teams
• External Engineering and Equipment Suppliers

Education and Experience You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in capital procurement, engineering, or project management.
• Proven track record in sourcing capital equipment and managing large-scale investment projects.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments (Pharma, Biotech, Nutrition).
• Strong understanding of equipment lifecycle, asset performance, and risk management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification desirable.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, including cost modeling and ROI analysis.
• Experience working across regions and cultures.
• Proficiency in procurement systems and digital sourcing tools.

Additional Job Details

Job Family: Category Management

Organization: Global Procurement (Padraig Phillips)

Division: GPS Global Purchasing Services

Location: Netherlands - Germany – Ireland & UK

Additional Locations:

Work Shift: Standard

Travel: Yes, 20% of the Time

Medical Surveillance: Not Applicable

Significant Work Activities: Not Applicable

Employee Referral Bonus Amount: Applicable

Posting Compensation Grade: 16

The base pay for this position is

N/A

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:

Manufacturing

DIVISION:

GPS Global Purchasing Services

LOCATION:

Netherlands > Zwolle : Grote Voort 247

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

Ireland > Sligo : Finisklin Road

WORK SHIFT:

Standard

TRAVEL:

Not specified

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

Not Applicable

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Not Applicable