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Scientist II, Outsourcing Specialist

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Other

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 time you managed a difficult relationship with an external partner.

What they are checking: Whether they can represent AbbVie's interests firmly while keeping a working partnership.

Describe a process improvement you made in how outsourcing work was managed.

What they are checking: Whether they look for ways to make outsourcing more efficient, as the posting asks.

How do you work with Quality Assurance, Procurement and project teams when they want different things from a provider?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance stakeholders as the main point of contact for outsourcing.

What would you do

A service provider misses a key deadline for an early-phase manufacturing batch. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can recover timelines, hold the provider accountable and keep the internal team informed.

A project is going over its approved budget because of scope changes. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they track budgets closely and raise changes early with clear options.

How would you qualify a new external partner when your current providers lack capacity?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the quality and procurement steps needed before using a new partner.

About the work

Walk me through how you would select a service provider for an outsourced analytical or formulation work package.

What they are checking: Whether they evaluate providers on quality, capability, cost and timelines with a clear process.

How do you compare proposals from different CROs or CDMOs when their scopes and prices are not alike?

What they are checking: Whether they can normalize proposals and spot hidden costs or gaps in scope.

How do you verify data generated by a service provider before it is used in GMP documentation?

What they are checking: Whether they understand data integrity checks and their responsibility for outsourced results.

How do you keep an overview of many outsourced projects running at the same time across the world?

What they are checking: Whether they have a practical system for tracking timelines, budgets and deliverables at scale.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

The Outsourcing Specialist serves as the primary point of contact for internal project development teams, Procurement, Business Operations, Quality Assurance, and external service providers. The role maintains an integrated overview of global outsourcing activities and provides strategic planning to meet pipeline needs within established development timelines and budgets. The Outsourcing Specialist also partners with internal and external stakeholders to continuously improve process efficiency while demonstrating strong organizational, documentation, and communication capabilities. Responsibilities • Lead relationships with service providers and represent AbbVie’s interests in support of outsourced early-phase development projects. • Strategically coordinate outsourced analytical, formulation, manufacturing, and process-development work packages in close collaboration with internal project teams, ensuring delivery within agreed project timelines. • Solicit and evaluate service-provider proposals and support the preparation of contracts. • Support project budget planning and monitor adherence to approved budgets. • Monitor service-provider performance and drive the identification and qualification of new external partners. • Ensure the preparation, review, and appropriate filing of GMP-compliant documentation; verify data generated by service providers; and coordinate the end-to-end flow of samples, including shipment planning, documentation, tracking, storage, and timely delivery to internal and external testing sites. • Collaborate effectively across global teams and with internal and external stakeholders to align outsourcing activities and project deliverables. • Prioritize activities across functions and drive standardized, compliant, and efficient outsourcing processes. • BS or equivalent education with typically 7 or more years of experience or MS or equivalent education with typically 5 or more years of experience. • This position requires an individual who is self-motivated, self-reliant, hard-working, detail-oriented, and able to work in a fast-paced global team environment with demonstrated problem solving skills. • Competency with software programs, including MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word • Strong attention to quality and detail, supported by effective organizational, documentation, and communication skills. • Proven flexibility to deal with changing timelines and shifting work priorities. • Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute and interpret critical experiments to answer scientific questions. • Demonstrated ability to learn, understand and master new experimental techniques. • Ability to multitask and work within timelines. • Demonstrated scientific writing skills and strong verbal communication skills. Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this roleat the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on manyfactors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​ Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount isearned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that areallocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolutediscretion, consistent with applicable law. ​ AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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