Procurement Category Manager

Job Description: We dream. We Do. We Deliver About Merkle Merkle, a dentsu company, powers the experience economy. For more than 35 years, we have put _people_ at the heart of its approach to digital business transformation. As the only integrated experience consultancy in the world with a heritage in data science and our performance, Merkle delivers holistic, experiences that promote growth, engagement, and loyalty. Merkle's expertise has earned recognition as a "Leader" by top industry analyst firms, in categories such as digital transformation and commerce, experience design, engineering and technology integration, digital marketing, data science, CRM and loyalty, and customer data management. With more than 16,000 employees, Merkle operates in 30+ countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. For more information, visit Job Summary: Key Responsibilities: 1. Category Management: - Develop and implement category strategies for IT and technology procurement, aligning with overall business objectives. - Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks within the IT and tech sectors. - Manage the end-to-end procurement process for IT hardware, software, services, and telecommunications. 2. Stakeholder Engagement: - Work closely with internal stakeholders, including IT, finance, and legal teams, to understand their requirements and ensure alignment with procurement strategies. - Provide guidance and support to stakeholders on procurement processes and best practices. - Communicate effectively with senior management on procurement activities, performance, and strategic initiatives. 3. Supplier Management: - Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, and reliability. - Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure continuous improvement and innovation. - Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and implement corrective actions as needed. 4. Contract Negotiation: - Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure the best terms and conditions, including pricing, delivery, and service agreements. - Ensure all contracts comply with legal and regulatory requirements and company policies. - Manage contract renewals and amendments in a timely manner. 5. Cost Management: - Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement strategies to achieve procurement savings targets. - Monitor and report on category spend, ensuring budget adherence and financial efficiency. - Collaborate with finance and other departments to optimize procurement processes and reduce costs. Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field. A master’s degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., CIPS, CPSM) is preferred. - Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, with a focus on IT and technology categories. - Strong knowledge of IT and telco markets, including hardware, software, services, and telecommunications. - Proven experience in supplier management, contract negotiation, and cost management. - Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. - Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels. - English proficiency is mandatory; German language skills are preferred. - Commitment to ethical and sustainable procurement practices. Additional information Benefits and perks: - Cutting Edge Technology & Latest IT tools; - Software-house environment; - Agile and Flexible working hours; - Hybrid work system (remote friendly); - Digital nomad policy; - Focus on career development; - Health insurance (also included for the household); - Mental health support; - Volunteering experiences and sustainable mindset; - 25 vacation days + 3 wellness days per year; - Beers (after 6pm), foosball, and ping-pong #workhardplayhard - Free breakfast every second Monday of the month; - Employee discounts; Team & Company events Inclusion & Diversity - We value the strength diversity brings to our business and are working hard to build a more inclusive workplace through partnerships with Stonewall, Business Disability Forum and Business in the Community’s race and gender equality campaigns. We are happy to discuss all flexible and agile approaches to working for all our roles - we can’t promise we will be able to offer you everything you want or need but we do promise to discuss it with you openly and honestly._ - If you have any reasonable adjustment needs arising from a disability or medical condition to fully participate in the recruitment process, please discuss this with the recruiter who contacts you._ LI-Hybrid #LI-MERKLE Location: Lisbon Brand: Merkle Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent