Global IT Category Manager

Job description

Global IT Category Manager Location

Amsterdam Fulltime: 40 hours per week Closing Date: 25th October 2026. Please note, we may close vacancies early where we receive significant numbers of applications, so don’t delay! What will you do as Global D&T Category Manager? As the Global D&T Category Manager, you will be the strategic architect behind our global technology spend. You will design, execute and manage end-to-end sourcing strategies across the D&T ecosystem, working at the intersection of Procurement, Digital & Technology and the wider business.

You will be a trusted business partner to senior D&T stakeholders, driving digital transformation, optimising commercial value, mitigating supplier risk and ensuring our technology partnerships foster long-term innovation. With HEINEKEN operating across markets around the world, you will have the opportunity to shape global procurement strategies across a broad technology landscape, from cloud and enterprise software to digital solutions and IT consulting.

You will work with senior stakeholders and strategic suppliers to turn complex business and technology needs into sustainable commercial value.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Category Management Strategy Development: Design and execute a 3–5 year global procurement strategy for the D&T category, covering areas such as SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, Digital Marketing Technology and IT Consulting/Professional Services.

Spend Analysis

Conduct continuous spend analysis and market intelligence to identify cost optimisation opportunities, supplier rationalisation levers and emerging technology trends.

Demand Management

Aggregate global demand across business units to leverage HEINEKEN’s scale and maximise purchasing power.

Value Creation

Identify opportunities to create sustainable value beyond cost savings, balancing commercial, strategic and business objectives.

Commercial Negotiations & Sourcing Execution End-to-End Sourcing

Lead complex, high-value RFxs, global supplier selections and commercial negotiations for enterprise-grade technology solutions.

Deal Structuring

Develop innovative commercial models, including consumption-based, value-based and hybrid pricing approaches.

Contracting Excellence

Partner with Finance, Legal, Data Privacy and Compliance teams to negotiate robust commercial agreements and ensure appropriate governance.

Commercial Optimisation

Ensure sourcing strategies deliver the right balance between cost, value, flexibility, innovation and risk.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Digital Transformation Business Alignment

Establish strong partnerships with global D&T leadership, product owners and regional business leaders to align procurement strategies with HEINEKEN’s digital roadmap.

Strategic Partnership

Act as a trusted Procurement advisor to senior D&T stakeholders, bringing commercial expertise and external market insight to key decisions.

Innovation Scouting

Stay close to the technology market and identify emerging solutions, trends and opportunities that could support HEINEKEN’s digital transformation.

Cross-functional Collaboration

Work closely with D&T, Finance, Legal, Data Privacy, Compliance and other stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.

Supplier Relationship & Risk Management Strategic SRM

Manage a portfolio of critical global technology partners to unlock value beyond contractual commitments and build long-term strategic relationships.

Supplier Performance

Drive supplier performance, innovation and continuous improvement across strategic partnerships.

Risk Mitigation

Proactively assess and mitigate risks related to software compliance, cybersecurity, vendor lock-in and operational resilience.

Market Intelligence

Maintain a strong understanding of the global technology supplier landscape and anticipate market developments that could impact HEINEKEN.

Experience & Profile (what & how) What

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, IT or an equivalent field. A purchasing or business qualification such as CIPS or MBA is desirable.

Work experience

7–10+ years of progressive experience in strategic procurement, with a minimum of 5 years specifically within Global IT/D&T procurement.

Category expertise

Strong knowledge and broad understanding of the global IT supplier market, ideally including experience with ERP, enterprise technology solutions, SaaS, Cloud, IT Services and/or Professional Services.

Strategic procurement

Proven experience developing and executing category strategies, leading complex sourcing initiatives and managing high-value commercial negotiations.

D&T understanding

Ability to understand complex D&T transformation projects and translate business and technology requirements into effective procurement strategies.

International exposure

Demonstrated experience working within a matrixed, multinational corporate environment, managing cross-border stakeholders and diverse global supplier pools.

Supplier management

Experience managing strategic technology suppliers and building long-term commercial partnerships.

How

Key Leadership expectations: Shape, connect, develop, deliver and/or role model HEINEKEN behaviours.

Functional skills

Strong analytical skills, business acumen, commercial thinking, negotiation and interpersonal skills.

Strategic mindset

Able to look beyond individual sourcing events and develop long-term strategies that create sustainable value for the business.

Communication skills

Fluent in English, both written and verbal, with the executive presence to influence senior stakeholders and challenge assumptions constructively.

Stakeholder management

Strong influencing and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage without formal authority across functions, markets and seniority levels.

Resilient & Adaptable

Thrives in ambiguity and organisational change, and is comfortable navigating the fast-paced evolution of digital technology.

Analytical Mindset

Strong data-driven decision-making skills, with experience using spend analysis, market intelligence and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) modelling to inform procurement decisions.

Commercially minded

Able to balance cost, value, risk, innovation and business requirements when making complex commercial decisions.

Curious & Future-focused

Naturally curious about technology and emerging trends, with the ability to anticipate how developments in the market could create opportunities for HEINEKEN.

Collaborative

Builds trusted relationships and brings diverse stakeholders together around shared objectives. We embrace learning and growth and anticipate there is scope to develop in this role. You’re also likely to bring experiences to this role that are not listed above – as long as you have a thirst for learning and development, not every box needs to be ticked when it comes to skillset. What's in it for you? Let's uncork! 🍻 Competitive salary: A gross monthly salary ranging from €8,173 to €11,209, based on your experience and expertise, excluding 8% holiday allowance.

Performance-driven bonus

A bonus linked to your results, celebrating your achievements and rewarding your contribution to our success.

Plenty of vacation time

Enjoy 20 vacation days per year, plus a flexible budget to add 10 extra days — that’s 6 weeks in total.

Stress-free commuting

Enjoy easy travel with an NS Business Card for public transport or a reimbursement of €0.23 per km (up to 30 km per one-way trip).

Grow with us

We offer endless opportunities for you to learn, grow and explore new career paths, both locally and globally.

Global impact

Work on strategic technology categories and partnerships that support HEINEKEN’s digital transformation across our global organisation. Ready to join our team? Are you excited to help shape HEINEKEN’s Global D&T procurement strategy and work at the intersection of Procurement, Digital & Technology and business transformation? Then apply immediately by clicking the green application button and sending us an updated version of your resume.

A cover letter is not required, but we would love to hear about your motivation for the position, so a short note along with your resume would be great. We look forward to receiving your application! 🍻