Category Management Analyst

Onsite / Hybrid Position in Foster City (3 days/week)
Job Title: Category Management Analyst

Profile Summary
A data-driven, execution-focused procurement professional who enables Category Managers by translating complex spend, supplier, and market data into actionable insights and operational execution. They act as the engine room of category management, ensuring strategies are grounded in data, implemented consistently, and scaled across categories.
Core Persona Traits
Analytical operator highly comfortable with large, messy datasets (spend, contracts, supplier info)
Detail obsessed ensures accuracy, classification, and data integrity across portfolios
Execution-focused thrives on turning strategy into tangible actions (RFPs, supplier rationalization, catalogs, etc.)
Low ego, high ownership supports multiple Category Managers seamlessly
Commercially curious develops category knowledge (e.G., CROs, chemicals, lab supply markets)
Stakeholder-friendly can interact with scientists, lab ops, and suppliers without friction
Typical Background
3 6 years in:
Procurement / Strategic Sourcing
Supply Chain / Operations
Consulting (operations / sourcing)
Experience in life sciences, biotech, pharma, or lab environment strongly preferred
Exposure to categories such as:
Research services (CROs)
Chemicals / reagents
Lab supplies & equipment
Mindset Fit for My Team
Comfortable supporting multiple categories simultaneously
Can operate in ambiguity and fast-moving portfolio reviews
Understands value beyond savings (service, quality, supply continuity)
Thinks in terms of category strategy enablement, not just transactions
Job Description
Title
Category Management Analyst Research Procurement
Role Summary
The Category Management Analyst supports the development and execution of category strategies across a portfolio of Research & Product Development Procurement categories, including research services, biologics, chemicals, reagents, lab supplies, and lab equipment.
This role partners closely with Category Managers to analyze spend, generate market intelligence, support sourcing initiatives, and operationalize procurement strategies to deliver value across cost, quality, service, and innovation.
This is a high-impact, high-visibility role supporting a large and complex spend portfolio.

Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy Support
Compile and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to support category strategies
Develop category profiles, including supply market insights, supplier segmentation, and demand patterns
Identify cost optimization, standardization, and supplier consolidation opportunities
Spend & Data Management
Manage and analyze spend data across multiple categories to identify trends and opportunities
Ensure accurate spend classification and data integrity to enable portfolio-level decision making
Build forecasts and track savings, value delivery, and pipeline initiatives
Sourcing & Execution
Support execution of sourcing events (RFPs, RFIs, negotiations) in partnership with Category Managers
Develop recommendation materials and business cases
Track sourcing pipeline and ensure execution against timelines
Supplier Management Support
Support supplier segmentation and performance tracking
Assist in supplier rationalization and relationship management activities
Maintain supplier data, contracts, and performance metrics
Stakeholder Engagement
Partner with Category Managers and business stakeholders to support demand management and execution
Participate in cross-functional initiatives with scientists, lab operations, and finance teams
Help ensure a consistent, high-quality procurement experience
Operational Excellence
Drive adoption of procurement processes, tools, and best practices
Support catalog enablement, SOP development, and process standardization
Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities

Qualifications
Required
Bachelor s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or related field
3 6 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, analytics, or supply chain
Strong analytical and data management skills (Excel, Power BI, etc.)
Experience working with large datasets and generating insights
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Preferred
Experience in life sciences / biotech / pharma procurement
Familiarity with:
CRO / research services sourcing
Lab consumables or equipment
Supplier management practices
Experience supporting category strategies or sourcing programs
Success Profile (What Good Looks Like in 12 Months)
Clean, reliable, and actionable spend data across all assigned categories
Strong partnership with Category Managers (viewed as a go-to operator)
Consistent pipeline of sourcing and value initiatives
Improved visibility into supplier performance and opportunities
Tangible support in delivering cost savings and value beyond savings