Senior Global Category Manager - IT Procurement
Senior Global Category Manager - IT Procurement
Location: Cologne, Germany (3 days per week in the office)
Reports to: Head of Indirect Procurement
Industry: Chemicals
We are recruiting for a Senior Global Category Manager - IT Procurement to join a leading organization in the chemicals industry. This is a high-impact role where you will define and lead global IT procurement strategies, shaping how the company sources and manages IT-related products and services-including hardware, software, cloud solutions, licenses, and infrastructure-across its global operations.
This is not just about optimizing existing processes; you will be responsible for building and driving procurement strategies from the ground up in an industry with complex regulatory and operational challenges. You will work closely with senior leadership and key stakeholders to ensure procurement delivers long-term value while supporting the company's digital transformation and innovation agenda.
Key Responsibilities:
Global IT Procurement Leadership: Oversee and optimize IT procurement across multiple regions, ensuring alignment with business priorities and regulatory requirements.
Strategic Sourcing & Process Design: Develop and execute long-term sourcing strategies, designing scalable procurement frameworks that bring efficiency and cost savings.
Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a key advisor to senior management, aligning procurement initiatives with IT, operations, R&D, and compliance teams in a heavily regulated environment.
Supplier & Contract Management: Lead high-value negotiations with major IT vendors, ensuring best-in-class agreements for software, cloud services, and infrastructure.
Risk & Compliance Management: Navigate complex industry regulations, ensuring all IT procurement activities align with global compliance standards.
Digital & Innovation Focus: Drive procurement's role in digital transformation, helping the business adopt cutting-edge IT solutions while maintaining cost control.
Process Improvement & Governance: Establish robust procurement policies, ensuring efficiency, agility, and visibility across all IT procurement activities.
Key Requirements:
Proven experience in global IT procurement, with a strong track record of leading strategic sourcing initiatives.
Ability to create and scale procurement processes, particularly in complex, fast-moving environments.
Expert negotiation skills, with experience managing high-value IT contracts and supplier relationships.
Strong stakeholder management capabilities, able to engage and influence senior leadership across multiple business units.
Analytical, problem-solving mindset, with the ability to balance cost, compliance, and innovation.
Experience in the chemicals or manufacturing industry is highly preferred but not essential.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical function in a major global company. You'll set the direction for IT procurement, drive long-term strategic impact, and work at the intersection of technology, business, and procurement in an evolving industry.
If you're ready to take on a highly visible, leadership-driven role in IT procurement, send me your CV and let's discuss the opportunity.
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