Senior Manager Global Category Management (IT), Indirect Procurement

Job description

The Senior Manager, Global Category Management (IT), Indirect Procurement is responsible for overseeing all aspects of negotiation, acquisition, and management of technology goods and services critical to Vertiv’s digital infrastructure and enterprise operations. This strategic role encompasses hardware, software, cloud services, network infrastructure, telecommunications, data centre IT, cybersecurity solutions, and managed IT services across all Vertiv regions.

This role is essential for optimising Vertiv’s technology supply base — ensuring the organisation secures high-quality, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that enable digital transformation, operational resilience, and alignment with business objectives. This role requires strong leadership capabilities to drive the execution of global strategies and set regional direction in collaboration with global procurement leadership.

Additionally, this role will play a key role in fostering high-performing teams and ensuring alignment between procurement initiatives and overall business goals, making them a pivotal asset in our organisational success. The ideal candidate will develop and implement category strategies that meet the diverse needs of business partners across the enterprise, while effectively managing a supply base that drives innovation, value realisation, and profitability across all Vertiv regions.

They must possess extensive experience in IT and telecommunications procurement within complex, multi-regional environments, demonstrating a proven track record of delivering global category strategies that enhance cost efficiencies, strengthen supplier relationships, and navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape — including cloud migration, SaaS proliferation, and AI-driven infrastructure demands.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Procurement: Collaborate closely with Vertiv business leaders to identify and source partners for IT hardware, software, cloud services, network infrastructure, and telecommunications — ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and the enterprise technology roadmap.

Partner Compliance

Work with business units to enforce compliance with data protection regulations, cybersecurity standards, software licensing terms, and telecommunications regulations across all regions.

Supplier Programme Management

Oversee the preferred supplier programme for IT & Telecom categories, developing tailored plans for each partner to ensure business continuity, optimal performance, and competitive pricing.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Lead cross-functional teams in analysing historical spend data, conducting market research, and employing cost modelling techniques to uncover high-value opportunities that drive innovation, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation across the IT & Telecom portfolio.

Cost Modelling

Establish comprehensive total cost of ownership models for key categories — including lifecycle costing for hardware assets, subscription optimisation for SaaS/cloud, and consumption-based modelling for telecommunications — ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs and procurement strategies.

Sourcing Strategy Development

Create and implement effective sourcing, negotiation, and contracting strategies — including enterprise licence agreements, cloud consumption commitments, managed service contracts, and multi-year infrastructure deals — to achieve desired outcomes consistent with global indirect procurement category strategies.

Hardware & Infrastructure

Formulate and execute a robust procurement strategy for IT hardware — including end-user computing, servers, storage, and network equipment — driving standardisation, lifecycle management, and refresh planning across all sites.

Software & Cloud

Develop and implement a global software and cloud procurement strategy encompassing licence management, SaaS rationalisation, cloud consumption optimisation, and vendor consolidation — ensuring cost efficiency and compliance with entitlement positions.

Telecommunications

Lead the procurement of voice, data, and connectivity services — including WAN/LAN, mobile, unified communications, and contact centre platforms — in collaboration with the IT function to ensure global coverage and service quality.

Cybersecurity & Managed Services

Oversee the strategic procurement of cybersecurity solutions and managed IT services, ensuring alignment with the enterprise security framework and operational requirements.

Supplier Relationship Management

Identify, evaluate, and cultivate strategic partnerships with key technology vendors, ensuring high-quality, reliable, and competitively priced solutions across all categories.

Cost Efficiency Initiatives

Spearhead cost reduction initiatives and value analysis processes to optimise the total cost of ownership — including licence harvesting, cloud right-sizing, and contract renegotiation programmes.

Risk Management

Conduct in-depth market analyses and risk assessments — including evaluation of vendor lock-in, end-of-life/end-of-support risks, and emerging technology disruptions — to proactively mitigate supply chain disruptions and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Collaboration

Partner with IT, cybersecurity, finance, operations, and business unit leaders to understand technology requirements, ensuring seamless alignment on procurement timelines, specifications, and service levels.

Standardisation

Standardise tools, processes, and contracting frameworks across all IT & Telecom categories - including software asset management platforms, cloud management tools, and telecom expense management systems.

Team Development

Mentor and lead a high-performing procurement team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional growth.

Performance Measurement

Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate procurement effectiveness, supplier performance, and technology outcomes across all categories.

Reporting

Prepare and present comprehensive reports to senior management on procurement performance, trends, and strategic insights to inform decision-making.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field. Master's degree or relevant professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS, ITIL, COBIT) preferred.

Experience

Minimum of 10 years in procurement or supply chain management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on IT and telecommunications procurement within a complex, multi-regional environment. Proven track record in developing and executing global category strategies that drive cost efficiencies and supplier performance across IT hardware, software, cloud, and telecom categories. Deep understanding of enterprise technology architectures, software licensing models, cloud consumption frameworks, telecommunications infrastructure, and the evolving impact of AI on IT service delivery.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively. Track record of establishing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure procurement effectiveness and drive results.

ANTICIPATED BUSINESS TRAVEL

~30% #LI-DR2