Category Manager IT - Software & Cloud

Job Title

Category Manager IT - Software & Cloud (all genders)

Shape the future of technology procurement e ownership of a high-impact global category, influence senior leaders, and turn bold strategies into meaningful business results while working with some of the world’s most recognized technology partners.

In this influential global role, you will shape procurement strategy for software and cloud, build trusted partnerships with leading technology suppliers, and guide cross-functional teams through complex transformation. You will work closely with senior stakeholders to turn commercial opportunities into lasting value for Philips.

Your role:

• Create strategic impact by initiating, organizing, and implementing breakthrough category strategies, programs, and policies to drive transformative change and deliver measurable business results.
• Evaluate and define procurement goals and objectives for the assigned market or region, considering market dynamics, business requirements, and stakeholder needs.
• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, conduct thorough assessments of capabilities, quality standards, and cost-effectiveness to ensure alignment with Philips’ requirements.
• Oversee the negotiation of contracts and agreements with suppliers to secure favorable terms and conditions, including pricing, delivery schedules, and quality standards.
• Manage the execution of category funnel measures (QxP), collaborating with assigned supplier account managers, project managers and relevant stakeholders.
• Execute supply base optimization actions to enhance supplier-enabled innovation and optimize the supply base in alignment with stakeholders.
• Plan and implement negotiation roadmaps with suppliers; manage supplier relationships, performance, and contracting based on clear targets and ongoing business review meetings with key suppliers.
• Lead cross-functional teams to program-manage the execution of supply base change projects through funnel and Source2
  
  Contract RfX event management, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Ensure operational impact through fully compliant supplier selection, contracting, and risk management for all category-related suppliers, mitigating risks and ensuring continuity of supply.
• Drive Design for Excellence (DFX) continuously, understanding internal business processes and functional strategies to optimize category performance and enhance operational efficiency.

You're the right fit if:

• You hold a Master's degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent discipline, or bring an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• You bring extensive experience (10+ years) within procurement IT category in large, complex and international organizations, including experience leading managers and multi-layered teams.
• You have demonstrated the ability to create and deliver category strategy for a large global spend area.
• You have deep software and cloud procurement/category expertise; generic procurement experience alone is not sufficient.
• You bring a strong track record in complex negotiations, generating savings, defending commercial positions, and managing long‑term strategic supplier relationships.
• You have experience influencing senior Enterprise IT and CIO-level stakeholders in high‑visibility environments.
• You can act as the de facto daily leader of a 10+ person virtual team without formal line‑management authority, including work allocation, delivery coordination, governance, and reporting.
• You bring a positive attitude and resilience in a complex, pressured, rapidly changing environment.
• You are flexible to work across APAC, Europe, and North American time zones when needed; this does not mean excessive daily working hours.
• You…