Indirect Procurement Category Manager

The Opportunity

QuidelOrtho unites the strengths of Quidel Corporation and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, creating a world-leading in vitro diagnostics company with award-winning expertise in immunoassay and molecular testing, clinical chemistry and transfusion medicine. We are more than 6,000 strong and do business in over 130 countries, providing answers with fast, accurate and consistent testing where and when they are needed most home to hospital, lab to clinic.

Our culture puts our team members first and prioritizes actions that support happiness, inspiration and engagement. We strive to build meaningful connections with each other as we believe that employee happiness and business success are linked. Join us in our mission to transform the power of diagnostics into a healthier future for all.

The Role

QuidelOrtho is seeking an Indirect Procurement Category Manager to manage the indirect category management for IT, telecom and emerging technologies, including R&D for medical devices. Manage a team of category managers, oversee strategic sourcing, supplier relationships and stakeholder engagement. Serve as the North America business engagement lead, consolidating regional spend and savings, aligning processes, managing stakeholders and representing procurement in regional meetings. Drives engagement across diverse business units. This role will also have dual responsibility for business engagement lead for North America. You will be responsible for delivering savings delivery for NA market, drive consistent processes and manage stakeholders for the region. You will represent procurement in regional meetings and drive procurement objectives.

Additionally, this role is responsible for leading global strategic procurement initiatives for IT, telecom and technology categories, delivering maximum value through innovative sourcing strategies, digital transformation, and supplier relationship excellence. The position encompasses comprehensive category management for technology solutions including cloud services, software licensing, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, Telecom, Software as a Service, and AI and emerging technologies across multiple global locations.

This individual will build strategic partnerships with internal stakeholders including IT, Digital, Legal, Finance, and Operations to support business transformation and technology roadmap initiatives. The role requires expertise in AI-driven procurement technologies, ESG compliance, and emerging digital trends to align category strategy with business objectives and drive competitive advantage.

The position demands strong leadership in navigating complex IT vendor ecosystems, managing multimillion-dollar contracts, and ensuring procurement strategies support innovation while maintaining cost optimization and risk mitigation. Must possess exceptional communication skills to interact across all organizational levels and multiple time zones in a global environment.

This position is at the forefront of procurement transformation, combining strategic category management with cutting-edge digital technologies. The successful candidate will drive competitive advantage through innovative supplier partnerships, AI-powered analytics, and sustainable procurement practices while navigating the complex landscape of cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and global supply chain resilience.

The Responsibilities

Team Leadership & People Management : Lead, develop, and manage a team of category associates and leads including performance management, career development, coaching, and mentoring. Establish team objectives, monitor performance against targets, conduct regular reviews, and ensure professional development aligned with business needs and individual career aspirations.

NA Stakeholder & Business Engagement Leadership : Serve as primary liaison for NA business units, manufacturing sites, and regional leadership teams. Lead stakeholder engagement initiatives, manage business relationships, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and ensure procurement strategies align with regional business objectives and operational requirements.

Global Category Strategy Development : Design and execute comprehensive category strategies across assigned indirect procurement categories including market analysis, sourcing strategies, supplier portfolio optimization, and long-term roadmap development. Drive category innovation, competitive positioning, and value creation through strategic planning and execution.

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management : Lead complex sourcing events, manage strategic supplier relationships, and oversee contract negotiations across multiple categories. Ensure optimal supplier performance, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and establish robust supplier development programs to maximize value delivery and operational excellence.

Advanced Sourcing & RFx Management : Execute sophisticated sourcing strategies including RFI / RFP / RFQ processes for complex IT solutions. Evaluate technical proposals, conduct supplier assessments, and manage proof-of-concept evaluations. Lead supplier selection processes incorporating TCO analysis and business case development.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Excellence : Champion procurement process optimization, lead cross-functional project teams, and drive organizational change initiatives. Establish best practices, implement standardized processes, and ensure seamless integration between procurement activities and business operations across global locations.

Digital Procurement & Analytics : Leverage AI-powered procurement tools, spend analytics platforms, and emerging technologies to optimize category performance. Implement automation solutions, develop predictive analytics capabilities, and drive data-driven decision making across the procurement lifecycle.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement : Monitor category performance against established KPIs, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure achievement of cost savings, quality, and service level targets. Lead data analysis, reporting, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership for category optimization and business value creation.

Strategic Planning & Roadmap Development : Lead annual category planning processes, develop comprehensive category roadmaps, and establish long-term strategic vision aligned with business objectives and market dynamics across global operations.

Budget Management & Financial Planning : Manage category budgets, forecast spending patterns, track financial performance, and ensure optimal cost management across assigned categories while supporting business growth objectives.

Risk Management & Compliance : Identify and mitigate category-specific risks, ensure regulatory compliance across all markets, and implement risk management frameworks to protect business operations and maintain supplier performance standards.

Innovation & Market Intelligence : Monitor market trends, identify emerging technologies, assess competitive landscapes, and drive innovation initiatives within assigned categories to maintain competitive advantage and operational excellence.

Contract Portfolio Management : Lead high-stakes negotiations for enterprise software licenses, cloud services, IT infrastructure, and professional services engagements. Manage contract redlining, SLA development, and performance metrics establishment. Negotiate master service agreements and framework contracts with strategic technology partners.

Training & Development : Design and deliver procurement training programs, develop team capabilities, and ensure knowledge transfer across regional teams to maintain high standards of procurement excellence and professional development.

Executive Reporting & Communication : Prepare executive-level reports, present category performance to senior leadership, and communicate strategic recommendations and business impact across organizational levels and geographical regions. Digital Transformation Leadership : Champion procurement technology adoption, lead digital transformation initiatives, and ensure effective utilization of procurement platforms and analytics tools to drive efficiency and value creation.

Perform other work-related duties as assigned

The Individual

Required Skills

Bachelor's degree required

7-10 years progressive experience in strategic procurement with 5+ years focused on IT / Technology and Professional Services categories

Proven track record managing complex, high-value technology contracts ($100M+ annual spend)

Proven experience managing teams and developing people

Experience in stakeholder management and business engagement

Experience with global supplier management and cross-functional stakeholder leadership

Key Skills : Leadership Excellence - Team management, people development, performance coaching, change leadership, and organizational influence

Strategic Thinking - Category strategy development, market analysis, long-term planning, and business alignment

Stakeholder Management - Business engagement, relationship building, cross-functional collaboration, and communication excellence

Procurement Expertise - Strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiation, and category optimization

Digital Transformation : Successfully implement AI / automation tools with measurable ROI

Analytical Capabilities - Data analysis, performance measurement, market intelligence, and strategic recommendations

Project Management - Complex project leadership, cross-functional coordination, and process improvement

Financial Acumen - Budget management, cost analysis, ROI optimization, and financial reporting

Communication Skills - Executive presentation, stakeholder engagement, team communication, and influence management

Technical Proficiencies : Familiarity with blockchain, IoT, and emerging digital technologies, Advanced proficiency in SAP, Ariba, Power BI, and specialized procurement analytics platforms

Experience with category management systems, supplier portals, and contract management platforms

Knowledge of US / Canada regulatory frameworks, compliance requirements, and market dynamics

Proficiency in financial modeling, spend analysis, and performance measurement tools

Familiarity with project management software, collaboration platforms, and