Category Manager - Pharma Chemicals and CDMO

Category Manager - Pharma Chemicals And CDMO

Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.

Job Description

The Category Manager Pharma Chemicals and CDMO is responsible for leading strategic sourcing initiatives for pharmaceutical raw materials, intermediates, APIs, and CDMO services. This role ensures optimal supplier selection, cost efficiency, and compliance with global regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will have deep industry knowledge, strong analytical capabilities, and proven experience managing complex supplier relationships in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 23 Senior Supplier Relationship Managers located across major global regions.
• Develop and execute category strategies for pharma chemicals and CDMO services.
• Lead supplier identification, qualification, negotiation, and performance management.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory changes, and supply risks to inform sourcing decisions.
• Negotiate contracts including MSAs, supply agreements, and quality agreements.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing to align sourcing with project needs.
• Drive cost savings and value creation through strategic sourcing and supplier innovation.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, FDA, EMA, and other relevant regulatory standards.
• Maintain and report on KPIs including cost savings, supplier performance, and risk mitigation.

Required Qualifications

Benefits

Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and / or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.