Regional Category Manager in Chester

Regional Category Manager – IT & Professional Services (Europe)

We are seeking a high-impact Regional Category Manager for IT & Professional Services to develop European strategy and lead category across European market while being an integral part of our global category leadership network. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape procurement strategy at scale, drive digital and service innovation, and create measurable business value across a complex, international organization.

You will act as a strategic business partner to key functional stakeholders, while managing critical supplier ecosystems across software, infrastructure, telecom, and professional services. This role combines strategic ownership, commercial excellence, and hands-on execution in a fast-paced global environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the European strategy for IT & Professional Services category, fully aligned with the global category roadmap.
• Act as a trusted business partner to regional and global stakeholders, translating business demand into high-impact sourcing strategies.
• Drive end-to-end sourcing execution, including market analysis, budgeting, cost modeling, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, ensuring performance, innovation, risk management, and long-term value creation.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and contract finalization in close collaboration with Legal.
• Actively monitor market trends, digital innovation, and best practices to continuously enhance category performance.
• Identify and deliver value creation opportunities through cost optimization, standardization, demand management, and process improvement.
• Contribute to global category governance and best-practice sharing across regions.
• Ensure full compliance with internal procurement standards, ESG principles, and external regulatory requirements.

Key Requirements

• University degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, IT, or related field; professional procurement certifications are a strong advantage.
• 5–10 years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Consulting, or IT Sourcing within an international environment.
• Strong hands-on experience in IT & Professional Services sourcing, including: Software & licensing, IT infrastructure & cloud, Telecommunications, Consulting & professional services
• Proven track record in strategic sourcing, contracting & negotiations and supplier relationship management
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrix, multicultural, and fast-paced global organization.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.
• Ability to think strategically while driving execution with discipline and speed.
• Fluency in English; additional European languages are a plus.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP and e-sourcing tools is an advantage.
• Strategic mindset with strong execution focus
• Change leadership and transformation mindset
• Target-driven and performance-focused
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to build strong supplier and stakeholder ecosystems

Closing date for applications; 21.01.26.