Sr. Category Specialist (Instrumentation & Automation)

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at   Abbott   At   Abbott , you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:   Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.   Employees can qualify for free   medical coverage   in our   Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO   medical plan in the next calendar year .   An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.   Tuition reimbursement, the   Freedom 2 Save   student debt program, and   FreeU   education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.   A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.   A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

This position works out of our 1 Exact Lane Madison, WI location in the Abbott Cancer Diagnostics division.   As the Sr. Category Specialst, you’ll have the chance to supports the development and implementation of sourcing and category strategies for complex spend areas. This role leads vendor negotiations, contract execution, and value optimization initiatives, aligning with Abbott Cancer Diagnostics’ category governance and business objectives. The Senior Category Specialist collaborates with internal stakeholders to gather business requirements and support execution of sourcing plans.   What You’ll Work On  : Drives the development and execution of sourcing and category management activities under the guidance of senior team members. Assists in conducting market research and monitoring industry trends to support strategic decision-making within assigned categories. Collaborates with internal stakeholders to gather business requirements and contribute to the identification of sourcing needs and priorities. Manages the preparation, execution, and analysis of RFx (Request for Proposal, Request for Information, etc.) processes with guidance from senior staff. Leads reviewing and comparing supplier proposals and evaluating potential vendors based on pre-defined criteria. Develops negotiation plans and materials, and manages contract negotiations where appropriate. Supports the tracking and documentation of cost savings, supplier performance metrics, and other procurement-related KPIs. Manages supplier relationships and contributes to ongoing communication and coordination with key vendors. Contributes to the organization and facilitation of cross-functional meetings, preparing agendas, taking notes, and following up on action items. Ensures proper compliance with sourcing processes, policies, and documentation standards, with mentorship from more experienced colleagues. Provides administrative and project support on multiple sourcing initiatives, prioritizing tasks based on business needs and deadlines. Assists in preparing reports and presentations for internal use and supports data collection and analysis for strategic sourcing initiatives. Continuously learns category management and procurement best practices, participating in training and development opportunities as available. Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment, maintaining a proactive and team-oriented approach. Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork. Support and comply with the