Senior Director, Purchasing Operations
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Sep 24, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 23, 2026. Abbott Laboratories scores A on the Alion truth index.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Senior Director, Purchasing Operations
Our location in Lake Forest, Illinois currently has an opportunity for a Senior Director, Purchasing Operations for our Core Laboraotry within the Diagnostics division.
The role provides maximum value to the division through coordinated global purchasing and strategic sourcing for - services, supplies, packaging, chemicals, electromechanical parts and Third-Party Manufacturing in accordance with corporate/divisional policies and objectives. Direct and administer the Core Diagnostics Global Procurement functions for the purchase of raw materials, research and development intermediates; supplies; services; and equipment. Hire, develop and coach procurement professionals to enable clear succession plans and support a sustainable on-going organization. Provide coordination for like purchases across all sites and where appropriate; across other divisions; ensuring bundling of the spend to optimize buying leverage for Abbott. Source, negotiate and contract for purchases across numerous industries and 400+ suppliers. Stay abreast of constantly changing market conditions and internal requirements and incorporate same into negotiations and supply agreements to bring the best overall value for Abbott.
Position Core Diagnostics for optimum supply chain value through selection of quality suppliers, fact-based negotiations and performance-based contracting to protect Abbott's interests. This role oversees the annual expenditure of approximately $1.4 billion. Magnitude of purchases often places incumbent in lead negotiation position to secure contracts over $100MM to meet specific needs of the division. Furthermore, this position requires a proactive approach that is relationship orientated, customer focused, team based, highly analytical, creative, dynamic (must stay abreast of global economics), and without error in its execution.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Develop and execute procurement strategies for multiple direct materials and research categories and $1.4B+ in annual expenditures.
- Ensure global and cross divisional participation and adoption.
- Provide leadership for 4 operations (buying areas); and all off-site purchasing operations in the purchase of goods and services that affect all areas of the division.
- Maintain an understanding of complex; multiple markets and changing business models associated with a broad spectrum of goods and services that directly affect the profitability of the division.
- Solve critical supply chain issues resulting for supplier performance variability to ensure on-going business continuity including; financial bankruptcy; material shortages; changes to specifications / statements of work; contractual breaches; delivery delays and plant disruptions.
- Continually improve the efficiency of supplies, services, commodities, chemicals, biologics, Third Party Manufacturing, electromechanical and Commodity Risk Management purchasing areas within the Purchasing function by developing and implementing the most effective Purchasing systems, strategies and techniques and developing policies and procedures necessary to carry them out.
- Provide purchasing expertise to senior management on major projects involving the selection; negotiation and acquisition of equipment; products or services; proposed acquisition of raw materials; R&D materials; tooling or manufacturing services on a worldwide basis.
- Develop and provide current information to Senior Abbott Management on price/market trends relating to the purchase of capital equipment; supplies; and services costs; raw materials; and manufacturing services.
- Hire and develop a team of procurement professionals who have a deep understanding of the Diagnostics healthcare channel and the way in which the procurement team supports the success of the business.
- Coach employees to become seasoned in negotiations and contracting.
- Assure a sustainable talent bench.
- Ensure Business Excellence concepts are applied to Procurement function which will drive employee engagement and continuous improvement
- Set guidelines and develop manufacturing standard setting processes used to determine divisional price components.
- Responsible for supply chain management; Specifically, the setting of policies and strategies to improve the relationships with all suppliers as well as develop integrated programs to remove costs from the acquisition process. To use the office of the Director; as appropriate; in development of senior level relationships with suppliers and to resolve critical issues.
- Work closely with senior R&D management to ensure proper acquisition of all research raw materials (chemicals; biologicals; plasmas; antigens; etc.) necessary to support Abbott research activities. This includes providing research into new and alternate materials.
- Develop and implement company-wide purchasing programs to expand purchases from diverse suppliers. Coordinate; monitor and report the results to Senior Abbott Management.
- Ensure compliance with government standards resulting in no restrictions on the sale of Abbott finished product to government accounts.
- Maintain the understanding of a broad range of technical and administrative issues affecting all divisions and professions within the corporation including manufacturing; engineering; research; regulatory; administration; human resources and others in order to develop sound strategies and policies to guide the purchasing organizations that serve the divisions.
- Drive eProcurement activities including eRFx and reverse auction activities for savings and operational efficiencies.
- Provide leadership to personnel that accurately interpret client needs; analyze markets and market timing; analyze spend; analyze economic indicators and indices; evaluate make-buy options; review bid documents; negotiate; review contracts; manage contract dossiers.
- Lead Supplier Relationship Management for Diagnostics Purchasing by establishing principles; processes and tools to manage suppliers consistently. Provide direction and leadership for the Purchasing Supplier Performance Program to monitor and reward suppliers based on performance.
- Provide direction and leadership for the Core Diagnostics Purchasing Supplier Performance Program to monitor and reward suppliers based on performance.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE YOU’LL BRING
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Technical (Engineering, Science) required
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Technical field preferred
- Certified Purchasing Manager Certificate preferred
- 12+ years of experience required
- Proven experience in negotiations, project management, working knowledge of commercial law, purchasing (buying), supervisory management, financial analysis, manufacturing process, quality control, value engineering, materials management and logistics
WHAT WE OFFER
At Abbott, you can have a good job that can grow into a great career. We offer:
- Training and career development, with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance
- Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives and retirement plans
- Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs
- Paid time off
- 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match
- The stability of a company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communities
Learn more about our benefits that add real value to your life to help you live fully: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that provides the growth and strength to build your future. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal
The base pay for this position is
$190,000.00 - $380,000.00In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.