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This position has closed. Abbott removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Director Procurement

Abbott · Lake Forest, IL · $149,300–$298,700 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a category strategy you built. What changed in the supplier base because of it?

What they are checking: Whether they think beyond one-off negotiations and reshape a category over time.

Tell me about a tough negotiation with a key supplier. How did you keep the relationship afterward?

What they are checking: Whether they negotiate hard but fairly with suppliers they will depend on for years.

How do you develop the managers on your team?

What they are checking: Whether they build leaders who can run categories on their own, not just do the work themselves.

What would you do

A sole-source supplier warns of a capacity shortfall next quarter. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can protect supply continuity with fast action and a longer-term plan to reduce risk.

How would you approach a supplier footprint change tied to European expansion?

What they are checking: Whether they plan for qualification time, regulatory needs and dual sourcing when moving supply.

Engineering prefers one supplier for technical reasons and you see a better commercial option. How do you decide?

What they are checking: Whether they can partner with Engineering on data instead of overriding technical concerns.

About the work

You own $250 to $300 million in spend on materials that affect reagent performance. How do you weigh cost savings against quality risk?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that a cheaper material can change test performance and treat quality as non-negotiable.

Walk me through how you'd qualify a new supplier for a critical raw material.

What they are checking: Whether they know the technical and quality steps needed before a supplier change in diagnostics.

How do you manage supplier change notifications so a change doesn't surprise Quality or Operations?

What they are checking: Whether they have disciplined change management, which the posting calls out for this portfolio.

What metrics would you use to show your procurement team's value to the business?

What they are checking: Whether they track cost productivity, risk and supplier performance together, not just savings.

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The full job description

As published by Abbott.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Our location in Lake Forest, Illinois currently has the opportunity for a Director, Procurement within the Core Diagnostics division. This position will lead procurement strategy for a significant category portfolio within Core Diagnostics, representing approximately $250M–$300M in annual spend across critical purchased materials. The role owns supplier strategy, performance, contracts, cost productivity, capacity, risk and supply continuity while partnering closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality and other business functions. The portfolio includes materials that are critical to product quality and can directly influence reagent functionality and test performance, requiring strong technical partnership and disciplined supplier qualification and change management. This leader will manage a team of procurement professionals and managers while driving both near-term execution and longer-term category strategy, including supplier footprint changes, European expansion, capacity planning, risk mitigation and cross-functional sourcing initiatives. Main Responsibilities • Highly experienced in the management of purchasing and procurement for various function’s needs. • In addition to the day-to-day managerial function, the role will incorporate strategic and policy development aspects that will have short, medium and long term consequences on the operation of the function. • Responsible for purchasing of custom packaging components (primary, tertiary) including Abbott asset ownership within supplier operations. • Manages specific supplies, supervises employees in contacting suppliers requesting quotations, determines parts or product specifications, escalation/ de-escalation of orders and negotiates prices, delivery schedules, and other conditions as required. • Drive Total Cost of Ownership reductions for spend through analytics and internal partnerships. • Drive initiatives that span virtual teams across the world and cross cultures. • Influence and partner with business leaders • Closely collaborate with adjacent business departments, and external partners to ensure adequate and timely delivery of agreed services, in line with agreed service levels. • Partner and collaborate with key One Procurement staff of other Abbott divisions in order to support cross divisional business initiatives, and drive Procurement synergies and efficiencies. • Manage ongoing Supplier relationships. • Communicate vision and strategy for organization. • Foster a collaborative environment among stakeholders. • Initiate, build and maintain strong relationships across various functions, demonstrate the value-add of leveraging and build enthusiasm and support for adoption. • Ensure optimal balance between value for money and cost savings is achieved, while ensuring quality and excellent customer service. • Translate market changes and dynamics for category into strategy across regions. • Continually look for opportunities for cost reductions and cost avoidance. • Responsible for all aspects of people leadership for the team, setting expectations,coaching,counseling,developing,evaluating,feedback,hiring,discipline and separation. • Establishes staffing/resources plans determining appropriate mix of sourcing opportunities. Mininum Qualifications • BA/BS required • 10+ years of progressive procurement/sourcing leadership experience, including ownership of significant direct-material or category spend in a complex manufacturing environment. • Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM),Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or similar certification a plus. • Demonstrated ability to translate complex supplier, market, financial and technical information into concise recommendations for senior leadership. • Some functional experience in both procurement and category management desirable. Strong organizational skills, including program/project governance and increased levels of staff oversight. • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal). • Strong interdisciplinary, and excellent intercultural influence, and networking skills. • Broad international experience and globally astute. Strong ability to develop and execute against actionable implementation plans. • Strong ability to influence multiple stakeholders with superior negotiating skills. • Experience leading multiple teams - both with direct staff and indirect project teams. Preferred Qualifications • Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar certification a plus. • MBA or relevant advanced degree • Experience supporting global manufacturing expansion or supplier footprint changes across regions. • Experience in diagnostics, medical devices, healthcare, life sciences, or another highly regulated industry. 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 $149,300.00 – $298,700.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Category Management DIVISION: CRLB Core Lab LOCATION: United States > Lake Forest : CP01 ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 10 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Not Applicable Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf