Procurement Manager IT - 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, overseeing €50M IT spend globally.
This is a high-impact, strategic role, working closely with global leadership to influence transformation projects and integrate procurement excellence into the digital core of the business. The ideal candidate will have IT procurement experience in manufacturing, financial services, or any non-telecom company.
About the Role
As Global Category Manager for IT, you will manage IT procurement spend and lead global sourcing activities across infrastructure, software, cloud services, and IT consulting.
You'll define and implement category strategies aligned with market trends, internal priorities, and compliance requirements, supporting digital transformation 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
* Align category management with finance, procurement, and IT transformation goals
Procurement Market Management
* Conduct supplier market analysis and identify alternative sourcing strategies
* Track market trends, pricing developments, and category innovation opportunities
* Report on procurement performance and sourcing pipeline regularly
Internal Stakeholder Engagement
* Collaborate with global and regional IT, finance, and business leaders to align sourcing strategies
* Act as the interface between Procurement and IT/digitalization teams
* Support new tech initiatives and digital transformation rollouts
Supplier Relationship Management
* Build and manage strategic partnerships with key IT vendors
* Drive supplier performance through KPIs, reviews, and continuous improvement
* Support risk mitigation across financial, operational, cyber, and compliance areas
* Integrate sustainability objectives into supplier engagements
What We're Looking For
* IT procurement experience at a manufacturing, financial, or any non-telecom company
* Expertise in SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, cloud platforms, enterprise software
* Strong understanding of licensing models, SLAs, KPIs, and IT contract negotiations
* Familiarity with vendor risk management, cloud security, data privacy, and compliance
* Proven track record in leading complex sourcing projects from strategy to execution
* Strong communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills
* Fluent English
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 transformation initiatives
* Innovation - Challenge the status quo and drive procurement excellence
Location & Work Model Hybrid role based in Cologne, Germany, with 3 days per week in office, collaborating with global stakeholders.
Apply Now If you're ready to own global IT procurement in a business investing in growth and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.