Category Manager IT (m/w/d)

Responsibilities

We are representing a confidential organization in the chemical industry sector, seeking a Category Manager for IT procurement based in Cologne. In this role, you will:

• Develop and implement IT category strategies to optimize spend and supplier relationships
• Lead negotiations and close global IT contracts and framework agreements independently, including licensing models and SLAs
• Manage IT sourcing projects, bundling initiatives, cost optimization, and category governance
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Oversee supplier risk management processes
• Ensure cybersecurity and cloud security compliance
• Integrate sustainability requirements through supplier evaluations, audits, and action plans
• Work within a modern source-to-pay environment using Coupa

What We're Looking For

• Completed degree in business administration, IT, or training in a related field
• 5–10 years of experience in strategic procurement, with approximately 5 years specifically in IT procurement
• Demonstrated experience in category management and independently conducting sourcing projects and negotiating major IT contracts
• Strong knowledge of SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS models, licensing models, and SLAs
• Experience in supplier risk management and with cybersecurity and cloud security requirements
• Strategic thinking capabilities: market analysis, supplier portfolio management, and risk management
• Confident presence when working with business units, legal departments, and management, with the ability to constructively challenge requirements
• Negotiation-level English and very good German language skills
• Willingness to travel up to 30%

How We Work with You

Our talent team at Get A Job.ai will guide you through the entire process. When you apply through our platform, one of our recruiters will conduct an initial screening to understand your background and ensure alignment with the role. Once we confirm you're a strong match, we will submit your profile to our client for consideration. Please note that all applications must go through Get A Job.ai—candidates should not contact the client directly.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process with our recruiting team.

Get A Job.ai is committed to fostering an inclusive recruitment process. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background, and we strive to provide equal opportunity throughout our talent acquisition services.