Global Category Manager - IT

About the role

As part of Global Indirect Procurement Organization, the Global Category Manager - IT is responsible for the category management, sourcing strategy and supplier management of Infrastructure & Network/Telecom category and spend.

This role will support the Senior Global Category manager – IT & Consulting & Financial Services to achieve best practices in procurement, supplier management, stakeholder engagement and drive necessary changes to improve the overall efficiency and performance of our IT Procurement function.

Key Job Accountabilities

• Category Strategy Development: develop and maintain global category strategies for IT procurement, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives. Define and implement category roadmap including oversight of the business plan (short and medium term).

• Strategy implementation and execution: work in collaboration with IT, Vendor Management, stakeholders and regional procurement teams to run sourcing projects, ensure active management of contracts, supplier performance and support requester’s needs in related to IT categories.

• Cost Management: achieve cost reduction targets, secure timely involvement of procurement in source to contract, while effectively considering sustainability requirements, supplier performance, and contractual risks. Identify, forecast, and execute on cost-out opportunities and improvements utilizing a multi-year strategy to maintain a continuous flow of opportunities.

• Supplier Management: identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure quality, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and innovation.
• Contracting: lead contract negotiation with suppliers, ensuring favorable terms and conditions, pursuing and efficient contracting process and actively managing contracts through its entire lifecycle.

• Market Analysis: conduct market research and analysis to stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape. Understand the cost drivers of the commodities and services within the category, along with market trends and industry benchmarking, to assure the lowest Total Cost of Ownership is achieved.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: develop relationship and work closely with procurement peers, IT stakeholders (local & global) as well as other internal stakeholders including finance, legal and other functions, to understand their needs and ensure alignment with procurement strategies.

• Project Management: independently lead projects by guiding, directing, and creating alignment with project stakeholders utilizing project management principles, procurement tools and practices to manage projects within constraints, meeting agreed upon timelines and deliverables.

• Process Improvement: implement standards and optimize processes in the assigned areas

• Risk Management: identify and mitigate risks associated with the related categories and agreements, including supplier performance and compliance issues.
• Performance Monitoring: track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of category strategies and supplier performance.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) is a plus.

• Experience: 5-7 years of experience in IT procurement or category management, preferably in a global or multinational organization. Demonstrated expertise in procurement category management, supplier relationship management, commercial negotiations, and the strategic sourcing process. Demonstrated experience in Infrastructure & Network/Telecom category.

• Knowledge: In-depth understanding of IT products and services, market dynamics, and supplier landscape.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges.

• Project Management: Strong project management skills with proven capabilities in managing complex initiatives while effectively influencing stakeholders at all levels and across different cultures.

• Analytical skills: Ability to gather and interpret data, build reports and information, ultimately being able to generate actionable insights

• Knowledge of Procurement Processes and Contracting: Proficiency in procurement software and tools and understanding of contract law, preference for experiential knowledge of various types of contracts