IT Global Category Manager
🌍 Global Category Manager - IT Procurement
📍 Cologne, Germany | 💼 Global Scope | 🏢 Hybrid (3 days/week in office) | 🚀 High-Impact Growth Projects
A leading international manufacturing company is seeking a Global Category Manager - IT Procurement to lead sourcing strategy and manage key IT procurement initiatives.
This is a high-impact, strategic role where you'll work closely with global leadership, influence transformation projects, and bring procurement excellence into the digital core of the business.
🔍 About the Role
As Global Category Manager for IT, you will be responsible for managing IT procurement spend across EMEA and leading global sourcing activities in key IT domains, including infrastructure, software, cloud services, and IT consulting.
You'll define and implement category strategies aligned with market trends, internal priorities, and compliance requirements - supporting the company's digital transformation journey while ensuring value delivery, risk management, and innovation.
🎯 Key Responsibilities
Strategic Procurement
Develop and implement global IT sourcing strategies to optimize cost, performance, and risk
Lead contract negotiations and framework agreements with major IT vendors
Drive bundling, harmonization, and optimization projects across international regions
Ensure alignment with overall procurement, finance, and IT transformation goals
Drive key excellence initiatives across sourcing and supplier management
Procurement Market Management
Conduct supplier market analysis and identify alternative sourcing strategies
Track market trends, pricing developments, and category innovation opportunities
Regularly report on procurement performance and sourcing pipeline
Internal Stakeholder Engagement
Partner with global and regional IT, finance, and business leaders to understand needs and co-create sourcing solutions
Act as the interface between Procurement and internal IT/digitalization teams
Support new tech initiatives and digital transformation rollouts
Supplier Relationship Management
Establish and manage strategic relationships with key IT vendors
Drive supplier performance through KPIs, reviews, and continuous improvement
Support risk mitigation activities (financial, operational, cyber, compliance)
Integrate sustainability objectives into supplier engagements
✅ What We're Looking For
5-10 years of procurement experience, with at least 5 years focused on IT categories
Strong, hands-on experience sourcing IT services and software in a non-technology company (e.g., manufacturing, FMCG, pharma, etc.) - real procurement experience, not just working alongside IT teams
In-depth knowledge of:
SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, cloud platforms, enterprise software
Licensing models (subscription, user-based, usage-based)
Service-level agreements (SLAs), KPIs, and legal clauses in IT contracts
Familiarity with vendor risk management, cloud security standards, data privacy, and cybersecurity compliance
Track record in leading complex sourcing projects from strategy to implementation
Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
Strategic thinker with commercial acumen and a results-driven mindset
Degree in business, economics, supply chain, or a related field
Procurement certifications (e.g. CIPS, NEVI, BME) are a strong plus
Fluent English (German is a plus)
Willingness to travel up to 30% internationally
💡 What Makes This Role Exciting
Strategic Visibility: Work directly with CIOs and global leadership teams
Ownership: Lead category strategy, supplier partnerships, and key negotiations
Greenfield Projects: Influence digital initiatives and system rollouts
Innovation: Challenge the status quo and drive transformation
📍 Location & Work Model
This is a hybrid role based in Cologne, Germany, with 3 days per week in-office to collaborate closely with global stakeholders.
📩 Apply Now
If you're ready to take full ownership of global IT procurement in a business actively investing in growth and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.
FAQs
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