Senior Category Manager - Specialty Labs

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.
 

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We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description
 

Gilead Sciences is currently seeking an experienced and strategic leader for the role of Senior Category Manager, supporting our portfolio of specialty laboratories across Clinical Development. The Senior Category Manager will lead the global category strategy and execution for biomarkers, bioanalytical and companion diagnostic services that enable clinical development, ensuring quality, compliance, continuity of service, cost effectiveness, and fit-for-purpose scientific solutions across a diverse portfolio of trials and geographies.

The Senior Category Manager will partner with key stakeholders to ensure appropriate sourcing strategies with primary suppliers across the full vendor lifecycle, including vendor identification, RFI/RFP management, bid defense, vendor selection, contract negotiation, performance oversight, and closeout. This role requires deep industry experience, broad knowledge of industry practices, and strong expertise in contracting, budgeting, and negotiation processes. The position will have the opportunity to work in a matrix environment and regularly collaborate with senior management and cross-functional teams. The role operates with minimal direction, determines objectives for assignments, anticipates business, vendor, and regulatory changes, and solves unusual or highly complex problems that may lack precedent or structure.

 

Job Responsibilities

1.     Category Strategy & Leadership (Top Priority)

• Develop and refresh global category strategies and sourcing plans aligned to clinical development objectives.

• Drive global vendor strategy and provide input into program and study level vendor strategies. 

• Accountable for category performance, results, and value delivery.

2. Sourcing & Contracting Execution (Core Accountability)

• Lead end-to-end sourcing and contracting lifecycle, including RFI/RFP, bid evaluation, vendor selection, negotiation, change orders, and closeout. 

• Lead negotiations for complex/high-value agreements, translating business, scientific, and legal requirements into contract terms and budgets.

• Lead bid defenses, vendor capability assessments, and category refresh activities. 

• Ensure efficient and optimized contracting processes to support timely execution. 

• Translate business requirements into vendor capabilities and recommend fit-for-purpose vendor solutions.

3. Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliant vendor selection and sourcing practices through risk management, benchmarking, and alignment with Legal, Quality, and Vendor Qualification. 

• Ensure sourcing decisions and vendor deliverables comply with global regulatory and internal standards (e.g., clinical trial and diagnostic regulations). 

• Support inspection readiness, quality control, and proper contract closeout/archiving. 

• Interpret and recommend updates to policies and procedures as needed. 

4. Stakeholder Partnership & Influence

• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to develop study requirements, sourcing strategies, and vendor selection decisions. 

• Influence adoption of category strategies, preferred vendors, and standard scopes/rate cards. 

• Establish and maintain effective relationships across Clinical Operations, Legal, Quality, Regulatory, and vendor management functions. 

5. Value Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Drive cost containment and value through benchmarking, market intelligence, and use of standard rate cards. 

• Identify and implement best practices across vendor selection, contracting, and category management. 

• Deliver business value through effective sourcing strategies and contract structures. 

6. Expertise, Decision-Making & Capability Building

• Serve as SME for complex sourcing, contracting, and vendor outsourcing issues. 

• Exercise sound judgment in negotiations, escalations, and business tradeoffs. 

• Train and guide internal stakeholders on contracting, budgeting, and processes as needed. 

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated leadership, thought leadership, and stakeholder management in a fast-paced, matrixed environment, with the ability to operate independently and set priorities.

• Deep expertise in end-to-end sourcing and contracting, including RFP development, vendor evaluation, negotiation, budget development, and contract management.

• Strong knowledge of clinical research, global regulatory requirements, and industry practices across clinical development outsourcing, laboratory services, diagnostics, and category management.

• Financial, legal, and clinical operations acumen, with the ability to analyze cost drivers and structure complex budgets and agreements.

• Experience managing a broad spectrum of specialty laboratory vendors and supporting clinical procurement and vendor outsourcing activities.

• Proven ability to solve complex, ambiguous problems and drive effective solutions across cross-functional stakeholders.

• Strong strategic project management, collaboration, and benchmarking capabilities to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.

Basic qualifications:

• Min. Bachelor Degree with 8 years of experience OR Master Degree with 6 years of experience

Preferred Education & Certifications 

• Finance / business / science / medical-related degree  

• MS/MBA or JD 

• Project management certification (e.g., PMP) 

• Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) or equivalent

The salary range for this position is:

Bay Area: $157,590.00 - $203,940.00.

 

Other US Locations: $143,225.00 - $185,350.00.

Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

For jobs in the United States:

Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.

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