Senior Global Category Manager – IT

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

The Senior Global Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies with 3rd party suppliers in support of Fresenius Medical Care’s One Procurement strategy. Responsible for category management, strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, contracting, and ongoing supplier management for assigned category. Coordinates with Procurement Partner(s) and key stakeholders to ensure alignment of procurement strategies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Core Responsibilities and Strategic Leadership

• The Senior Global Category Manager is accountable for the end-to-end strategic lifecycle of all assigned IT spend categories.

Category Strategy & Execution

• Develop and execute multi-year global category and sub-category strategies covering Software, Professional Services & Outsourcing, Infrastructure/Hardware, and Telecom.
• Maintain expert knowledge of global IT market trends, emerging technologies, key supplier capabilities, and the competitive landscape to ensure FME leverages innovation and best-practice solutions.
• Collaborate closely with IT leadership and Business Partners to harmonize requirements, aggregate global demand, standardize specifications, and define optimized buying channels.
• Develop comprehensive supply risk mitigation strategies addressing critical areas like compliance, cybersecurity, licensing audits, geopolitical instability, and overall business continuity for mission-critical IT suppliers.

Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation Excellence

• Lead complex, cross-functional global sourcing initiatives (RFx) for high-value, high-risk spend, translating business needs into effective commercial agreements.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques to establish aggressive negotiation targets and optimize lifetime value.
• Lead negotiations for complex legal and commercial terms.
• Contribute to IT budget development by providing critical market data and cost forecasts. Post-approval, support IT in rigorous cost control to ensure budget adherence and drive the achievement of committed savings goals. Ensure compliance with all global procurement policies.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Manage strategic, long-term relationships with Top Tier IT suppliers, focusing on performance, innovation roadmaps, compliance, and dispute resolution.
• Lead regular, structured business reviews (QBRs) to monitor supplier performance, drive continuous improvement, and evaluate financial/risk exposure.
• Serve as the primary procurement expert for the IT organization, ensuring category strategies align fully with major IT initiatives and functional requirements.
• Champion and drive the adoption of digital tools (including eSourcing, CLM, Spend Visibility, and S2P) across the category to maximize efficiency and savings.​
• Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations.  See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• 5% - 10% Travel is required.

SUPERVISION:

May be responsible for the direct supervision of various levels of category buyer staff.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in either Technical or Business field
• MBA and/or CPSM/CPM desired but not required

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:  

• Minimum of 5 years' related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or a Master's degree; or equivalent directly related work experience
• 1-2 years of direct industry or company experience preferred
• Strong leadership and effective business partnering capabilities – influence without authority
• Requires ability to deal with ambiguity and the corresponding capacity to make decisions or recommendations based on potentially incomplete information
• Experience with hands on analysis and data interpretation; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites required
• Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills
• Robust knowledge of the strategic sourcing and category management process
• Project management expertise with the ability to carry projects from planning through implementation.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with senior executives and stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills with ability to understand opportunities, create value and solve complex problems.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of contract terms and conditions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills including expectation management; assertive
• Able to tailor communication and context across diverse geographic backgrounds and cultural settings
• Able to work in and/or manage virtual, geographically dispersed, cross-cultural teams
• Able to prioritize multiple initiatives/projects in a fast-paced environment
• Able to negotiate the best possible terms with strategic suppliers that have a far-reaching impact on our business.
• Able to develop relationships and build both a strong direct and indirect sphere of influence.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills; familiarity and knowledge of agile ways of working
• Working in a multi-national, multi-cultural environment
• English (written and spoken) - Fluent

Other specialized knowledge required:

• Purchasing
• Strategic Sourcing
• Category Management
• Bidding processes
• Negotiation
• Knowledge of business market trends
• Comprehensive knowledge of Procurement policies and procedures
• Experience in procuring goods and services with the ability to understand the total cost of ownership to generate cost savings

If your location allows for pay/benefit transparency, please click the link below to request further information on this position.

Pay Transparency Request Form

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.