Category Manager ICT Senior

As Category Leader – IT, you are responsible for leading and executing sourcing activities across IT categories, including SaaS, IT services, IT hardware, cloud solutions, and licensing and responsible to support designing, deploying, and continuously evolving the global sourcing strategies for IT hardware, software, and related IT services across the organization.
Operating in a highly regulated and cost sensitive generics pharmaceutical environment, the role is critical to ensuring IT performance, cybersecurity, compliance, and cost efficiency, while enabling digital transformation and business continuity.
You act as a strategic partner to IT, Digital, Finance, and Business teams. You independently drive sourcing initiatives, supplier interactions, and contract negotiations within your scope, while supporting category strategy and working under the direction of the Category Manager or procurement leadership for broader strategic topics.
Actively support the development, updates, and periodic review of the Global IT category strategy, working closely with the Category Manager and procurement leadership
Proactively gather and consolidate business and IT requirements, including demand forecasts, functional needs, and consumption patterns, to ensure category strategies are aligned with business priorities
Contribute to the execution of category strategies across IT hardware (end-user devices, infrastructure, network equipment), software (ERP, business applications, SaaS, licensing), and IT services (managed services, cloud, application development, support & maintenance)
Support the alignment of category strategies with IT and digital roadmaps, cybersecurity and data integrity requirements, cost competitiveness, and standardization objectives
Contribute to value creation initiatives beyond savings, including license and application rationalization, vendor consolidation, platform standardization, and adoption of scalable and cloud-based solutions
Monitor IT market trends (software vendors, cloud economics, licensing models, supplier landscape, AI and automation) and translate insights into sourcing recommendations and category inputs
IT Sourcing and Procurement Execution
Execute category plans and lead tactical sourcing activities for assigned sub-categories (RFIs/RFPs, bid and supplier evaluation, procurement recommendation, contract implementation) in line with the strategy defined by the Category Manager
Conduct commercial evaluations, including pricing analysis, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership (TCO)
Ensure contracts align with agreed commercial terms and compliance requirements
Act as a key procurement contact for stakeholders, translating business needs into sourcing actions
day-to-day communications, order confirmations, delivery tracking, and escalation of quality or performance issues
Support supplier onboarding and qualification processes, including collection of required documentation (e.g., quality certificates, insurance, compliance attestations)
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
Lead strategic supplier interactions and conduct negotiations within defined scope, focusing on pricing and commercial terms
license optimization, demand consolidation)
Support the implementation and continuous improvement of the SRM framework defined by the Category Manager
surface recurring or strategic risks to the Category Manager.
Ensure risk mitigation through dual sourcing, exit strategies, cybersecurity assessments, and business continuity planning.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Act as a key procurement partner with the Procurement CoE, IT & Digital teams, Cybersecurity, Finance, Legal, and Compliance
Serve as primary point of contact for internal requestors on routine purchasing queries, clarifying specifications and ensuring timely fulfillment
Collaborate in cross-functional procurement projects and support category manager on larger tenders / sourcing events
Mentor and provide practical guidance to Buyers working within the category
Support major IT programs, including the ERP and application rollouts, cloud and infrastructure transformations, digital and data initiatives
Contribute to IT governance bodies and decision forums.
Cost Management & Budget/LRP exercise
Support Procurement CoE and Finance in tracking the savings delivery vs commitments and IT cost evolution and capitalization impacts
Contribute to demand management, usage consolidation and specification rationalization initiatives under guidance of the Category Manager
Support budget alignment and financial planning processes
Embed ESG criteria into supplier selection and performance management (e.g., CO₂ emissions, green warehousing, electric fleets).
Promote sustainable logistics practices and collaborate with suppliers on carbon reduction initiatives.
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