Global Category Associate Director- Data Analytics and AI Platforms

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.

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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 Software landscape.
• Capable of leveraging spend analytics and benchmarking to inform category strategies and uncover new value opportunities.
• Understanding of regulatory landscapes with the ability to navigate and manage compliance requirements.
• Ability to articulate a forward-looking category vision for Software and rally stakeholders around a shared, value-driven agenda.

- Expertise in AI ethics, governance, and responsible AI frameworks.

- Ability to align sourcing strategies to R&D and Commercial data priorities.

- Proven ability to evaluate and benchmark AI and analytics platforms.

Soft Skills:

- Strong verbal and written communication skills

- Ability to work effectively with global, virtual teams

- Ability to navigate ambiguity

- High degree of initiative and self-motivation

- Ability to manage multiple priorities successfully

- Team-oriented, with a focus on achieving team goals

- Influencing and Change Management skills

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree and 14 years of Global Strategic Sourcing, Procurement or Commercial experience
• OR
• Masters degree and 15 to 17 years & above experience of Global Strategic Sourcing, Procurement or Commercial experience
• OR
• Bachelors degree and 17-18 years of Global Strategic Sourcing, Procurement or Commercial experience
• OR
• And 2 years of managerial experience directly managing people and/or leading teams, projects, or programs.