Global Category Associate Director - Data Analytics and AI Platforms

ABOUT THE ROLE

Role Description:

We are seeking an individual who thrives in ambiguity, capable of driving category management initiatives with strategic vision and precision.

You will serve as the Global Category Management for Software. You will lead the global category strategy for Software. This includes developing multi-year category strategies that address business needs while achieving best practice outcomes, building enterprise-wide business partnerships, and activating Procurement resources to drive strategic sourcing results to reduce costs and enable top-line performance.

Your responsibilities will include analysing internal demand (using Business Partner Management processes), external market data, spend & specifications to produce a category plan aligned with Business objectives and cost reduction / sourcing initiates. As a Category Manager, you will play a pivotal role in managing the innovation agenda of Procurement. This role will drive supplier performance, manage risk, and deliver sustained value across a complex global professional services landscape.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Strategic Contribution

• Lead and evolve the category strategy for Data Analytics and AI Platforms, enabling Amgen to leverage data-driven insights across R&D, Commercial, Operations and G&A functions.
• Partner with Digital, Data Science, and IT leaders to standardize platforms such as data lakes, analytics, and AI/ML environments.
• Evaluate emerging suppliers in data, AI, and predictive analytics to incorporate innovation responsibly.
• Design contracts balancing access to innovation with compliance, governance, and cost efficiency.
• Develop multi-year sourcing roadmaps to ensure data and AI platforms meet enterprise growth and compliance needs.

Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight as the global lead for Software category and sourcing, ensuring alignment between category strategies and Amgens evolving business needs. Act as a trusted advisor to ensure that procurement initiatives are aligned with broader organizational objectives.
• Guide and facilitate collaboration across cross-functional teams and regional stakeholders, ensuring that procurement strategies meet the diverse needs of the organization and are implemented effectively.
• Ensure that all Software procurement activities are managed in compliance with regulatory, contractual, and operational risk requirements. Partner with Legal, Compliance, Data Privacy, and Cybersecurity teams to maintain oversight of risk mitigation strategies and ensure alignment with best practices.
• Collaborate with Strategic Sourcing peers to oversee the strategic approach to complex negotiations for Software contracts, providing guidance and ensuring that the right processes and frameworks are in place for RFPs, supplier evaluations, and contract development.
• Maturity to activate procurement resources towards category priorities while managing expectations with stakeholders.

Functional Skills:

Must-Have Skills:

• Familiarity with procurement platforms such as Ariba, as well as ERP systems and advanced analytics tools to support decision-making and process automation.
• Excellent problem solving and organizational skills

• Experience leading large, cross-functional teams and managing complex global projects in a matrixed environment.

• Experience managing analytics and AI/ML software procurement.

• Understanding of cloud data ecosystems (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, AWS/Azure/Google AI).

• Strong analytical skills with ability to assess large data sets and supplier performance.

Good-to-Have Skills:

• Software Global Category Mgmt. with proven record of executive business partnering leading change and enterprise activation of sourcing initiatives driven from expert knowledge of marketplace capabilities
• Deep understanding of category management principles, supplier relationship management, and contract lifecycle management.
• Strong financial, legal, and contractual fluency to navigate sales services agreements and deliver business-aligned outcomes.
• A track record of driving innovation in category strategy development, supplier engagement models, and internal stakeholder partnerships.
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex category strategies, influence senior stakeholders, and manage change across functions and regions.
• Ability to proactively identify underlying business needs and craft strategic solutions across Soft…