Global IT Category Procurement Manager

**The Position**:
The Global IT Category Procurement Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing global procurement strategies for IT-related goods and services. This includes managing vendor relationships, optimizing IT spend, ensuring contract compliance, and aligning procurement activities with overall business and IT objectives. The role collaborates closely with global IT, finance, legal, and business stakeholders to ensure that technology investments deliver maximum value, quality, and efficiency across the organization.

**Major Responsibilities**:
**Category Management**:

- Develop and implement category-specific procurement strategies for IT products and services.
- Conduct market analysis to identify trends and opportunities within the IT category.
- Manage the lifecycle of IT procurement categories, including sourcing, negotiation, and contract management.

**Category Strategy & Planning**:

- Develop and execute global procurement strategies for IT categories such as hardware, software, cloud services, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and consulting
- Analyze spend data and market trends to identify cost savings, value creation opportunities, and sourcing efficiencies.
- Build and maintain a robust IT sourcing pipeline and category plan that aligns with enterprise IT strategy.

**Contract Management & Negotiation**:

- Lead negotiation of complex global IT contracts, ensuring favorable terms, risk mitigation, and compliance.
- Collaborate with legal and IT stakeholders to ensure appropriate contract governance, renewals, and modifications.
- Ensure contracts align with IT architectural standards, security policies, and service-level expectations.

**Cost Optimization & Value Creation**:

- Identify and implement opportunities for total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction and value-added initiatives.
- Leverage global buying power and negotiation tactics to drive savings.
- Track and report savings, performance metrics, and value delivered through sourcing activities.

**Supplier & Vendor Management**:

- Identify, evaluate, and manage global IT vendors and service providers.
- Lead supplier performance reviews and implement supplier development and improvement initiatives.
- Serve as the escalation point for supplier performance issues and contract disputes.

**Stakeholder Engagement**:

- Partner with IT, digital, finance, and business units to understand current and future technology needs.
- Act as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders on vendor capabilities, market intelligence, and sourcing best practices.
- Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to define sourcing requirements and evaluate proposals.

**Governance, Risk & Compliance**:

- Ensure adherence to global procurement policies, legal requirements, and compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, data protection, sustainability).
- Monitor risk exposure across IT contracts and vendors and take action to mitigate risks.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation and processes for all procurement activities.

**Qualifications**:
**Education/Training Qualifications**:

- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, Information Technology)
- Professional certifications in procurement (e.g., Certified Professional in Supply Management, Certified Purchasing Manager).

**Experience**:

- Minimum of 7-10+ years of experience in IT procurement, with expertise category management.
- Demonstrated experience in negotiating global IT contracts, including SaaS, licensing, and managed services.
- Strong knowledge of IT products, vendors, and market dynamics.
- Experience working in a complex, global organization with cross-cultural teams.
- Experience with procurement software and tools.

**Skills**:

- Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong knowledge of IT products and services.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.