Associate - Category Management - Novo Nordisk Inc. Business Services

About the Department 

At Novo Nordisk, our Finance and Operations team is the engine that elevates holistic commercialization of our products. The Finance and Operations team works closely with the business across the organization to guide enterprise wide resource allocations, investment choices, drive core operations and develop insights to drive growth and operational excellence across the value chain while innovating for future capabilities. We regulate accounting, uphold workplace safety, manage our supply chain and sampling, support technology, provide commercial operations, insights & analytics, maintain our facilities and assure the integrity and completeness of all business transactions. At Novo Nordisk, you will have the opportunity to build a life-changing career in a global business environment. We encourage our employees to make the most of their talent. And we reward hard work and dedication with the opportunity for continuous learning and personal development. Are you ready to realize your potential?

The Position

Novo Nordisk Inc. (NNI) Business Solutions is the organization that provides procurement, travel, fleet, and workplace operations to the North American Commercial Affiliate. We work on high impact projects that drive solutions for our lines of business the value chain, from business transformation to launch support. Projects can be strategic or operational in nature, but are always important to NNI, as every project is sponsored by a member of our Executive team. The team reports to NNI's CFO/COO. As a part of the team, you will work closely with business executives on high impact projects to rethink and reshape business priorities and collaborate across teams to understand complex business problems across the firm's value chain. The projects involve high visibility, steep learning, and contribution to highly impactful causes. They cut across strategy and operations and provide you an opportunity to gain insight into functional and therapeutic areas across the firm. Consulting services include business transformation, commercial operations, commercial strategy, market access, growth strategy, operating model optimization, technology implementation, crisis management, and enterprise transformation.

Relationships

Reports to the Associate Director of Category Leadership – Procurement.

Key stakeholders include:

• NNI Lines of Business (Marketing, IT, Finance, Legal, Market Access CMR)

• Project relevant key stakeholders

Categories responsible:

• Marketing, Meetings and Events, Print & Promotion

Essential Functions

• The Associate – Category Management handles a wide selection of sourcing related tasks and, over time, will build a deep understanding of the complex and differentiated customer landscape that Procurement is supporting across the value chain

• This position will ensure the acquisition of high-quality goods/services at the best possible prices by negotiating and monitoring contracts and relationships with selected suppliers

• In general, it is expected that the Associate works with the following main job tasks:

  • Project management and Sourcing Execution

  • Customer relationship management

  • Business Development (including data and analytics)

• Project Management and Sourcing Execution:

  • Supports a project lead by executing on tasks/ workstreams in line with project lead expectations

  • Prepares project plans with draft milestones and meets deadlines (high quality output) with support from NNI Consulting project lead

  • Creates project structure via minutes, scheduling necessary project meetings, ensures appropriate meeting cadence, etc.

  • Work with contract team to negotiate contracts with suppliers to ensure the best possible terms and conditions

  • Utilizes and enhances procurement and sourcing systems and tool

  • Ensure our suppliers are supporting our NN Circular4 Zero Strategy

  • Support the novo DSI Supplier Diversity program and promotes the inclusion of diverse suppliers in all sourcing initiatives

• Customer Relationship Development:

  • Facilitates meetings and discussions with stakeholders, and successfully manages output

• Business Development:

  • Actively seeks and shares external data and best practices, and with guidance from superior, translates data into insight

  • Identifies relevant sources of information and gathers useful data from these. (Sources include desktop research, active use of Novo Nordisk resources such as library information services, Hackett, Procurement Leaders)

  • With some guidance, demonstrates an ability to structure and execute on Quantitative and Qualitative analyses and support development of recommendations

• Department Support:

  • Participates in and contributes to department meetings and other internal Novo Nordisk-wide and department specific activities

  • Participates in internal and external training

Physical Requirements

0-10% overnight travel required.

Qualifications

• An Associate’s or Bachelor's degree is required, with a strong preference for Business, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain or related fields

• 1-year of relevant professional experience desired (relevant Internships and Co-ops will be considered).

• Working knowledge of pharmaceutical industry is a plus

• Project management experience a preferred

• A demonstrated aptitude to learn general business processes (Marketing, Access, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, etc.) quickly

• Good presentation skills required

• Strong oral and written communication skills in English

• Ability to develop relationships and learn how to influence without authority

• Strong proficiency with PCs, Microsoft Office Suite, Project Management Tools, COUPA or other eSourcing and contracts management systems

• Responds well to formal feedback and takes action to improve own performance

• Flexible in terms of working under tight deadlines and ambiguity/ changing circumstances

• Ability to multi-task effectively, complete work in a timely manner and work well with others

• Demonstrates exceptional drive, initiative, a can-do attitude, and a fast ability to learn (both internally and in project settings)

• Experience and interest in Sustainability and green procurement preferred

• Ability to learn Strategic Sourcing Methodologies, Processes, and Purchasing practices

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.