Global Head of ICT Procurement

The Global ICT Category Head is responsible for defining, shaping, and executing the global sourcing strategy for the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) category. This strategic leadership role sits at the intersection of procurement, technology, and business transformation, ensuring that ICT procurement activities directly enable the organization's digital ambitions and operational excellence.

Reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer, the role oversees the full lifecycle of ICT sourcing and supplier management, covering domains such as software licensing, cloud services, IT infrastructure, telecommunications, cybersecurity, digital platforms, and managed services.

The Global ICT Category Head drives sustainable value creation by optimizing global spend, developing high-performing supplier ecosystems, and ensuring access to innovation while maintaining strong governance, risk management, and cost efficiency. The role requires a strategic mindset combined with deep market knowledge and strong stakeholder engagement across business and technology leadership., Strategic Category Leadership

Define and execute a forward-looking global ICT procurement strategy aligned with the organization's overall business and digital transformation objectives., * Developing and maintaining a comprehensive global category strategy for ICT procurement.

• Aligning sourcing strategies with enterprise IT roadmaps, digital transformation initiatives, and technology investment plans.
• Identifying strategic sourcing levers to deliver sustainable value, including supplier consolidation, demand management, standardization, and contract optimization.
• Embedding Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), value engineering, and lifecycle cost analysis into procurement decision-making.
• Ensuring procurement actively contributes to innovation, agility, and scalability of the organization's technology landscape.
• Continuously monitoring market developments and technology trends to proactively adapt category strategies.

Strategic Business Partnership

Act as a trusted procurement advisor to senior stakeholders across IT, Digital, Finance, Legal, and Operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Building strong strategic partnerships with CIO leadership, IT architecture teams, and digital transformation leaders.
• Translating complex technology requirements into effective sourcing and supplier strategies.
• Ensuring procurement is embedded early in technology programs, transformation initiatives, and major IT investments.
• Promoting procurement excellence, governance, and best practices across the organization.
• Supporting leadership teams with market intelligence, benchmarking insights, and supplier landscape expertise.

Strategic Sourcing & Contract Negotiation

Lead complex global sourcing initiatives for ICT-related solutions and services. Key responsibilities include:

• Managing end-to-end sourcing processes including market analysis, RFI/RFP processes, supplier selection, and contract negotiations.
• Negotiating large-scale commercial agreements with global technology providers.
• Structuring contracts that balance cost efficiency, operational performance, scalability, and risk mitigation.
• Ensuring supplier agreements include robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs), performance indicators, and governance frameworks.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement policies, regulatory requirements, and internal governance standards.

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

Develop and manage strategic partnerships with critical ICT suppliers.

Responsibilities include:

• Defining and managing a strategic supplier ecosystem for ICT technologies and services.
• Establishing structured Supplier Relationship Management frameworks and governance models.
• Conducting regular strategic business reviews with key suppliers.
• Monitoring supplier performance across service delivery, quality, innovation, and cost competitiveness.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives and joint value creation programs with strategic vendors.
• Identifying opportunities to leverage supplier innovation and emerging technologies.

Market Intelligence & Technology Ecosystem Development

Maintain deep understanding of the evolving ICT market and supplier landscape.

Responsibilities include:

• Conducting ongoing market intelligence and benchmarking activities.
• Monitoring emerging technology trends such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, and digital platforms.
• Identifying new supplier capabilities, innovation partners, and emerging market opportunities.
• Supporting technology leadership in evaluating strategic technology partners and sourcing models.

Risk Management & Procurement Governance

Ensure robust governance and proactive risk management across the ICT supply base., * Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to supplier concentration, cybersecurity, compliance, and operational resilience.

• Developing contingency strategies and supplier diversification plans where necessary.
• Ensuring strong governance over strategic supplier relationships and contractual obligations.
• Supporting enterprise risk management and regulatory compliance frameworks.

Performance Management & Value Delivery

Establish clear performance frameworks to measure category impact and supplier performance.

Responsibilities include:

• Designing and implementing key performance indicators and dashboards for ICT procurement.
• Monitoring supplier performance and contract compliance.
• Tracking value creation through cost savings, cost avoidance, innovation contributions, and service improvements.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across the supplier ecosystem and procurement processes.
• Ensuring high-quality data management and transparency in procurement reporting., * Managing significant global ICT spend and ensuring alignment with financial targets.
• Supporting budgeting and financial planning for technology investments.
• Identifying cost optimization opportunities across software licensing, infrastructure, and technology services.
• Improving spend visibility and procurement analytics within the ICT category.

Leadership & Team Development

Lead and develop a high-performing procurement team responsible for ICT sourcing and supplier management.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing and mentoring a team of category managers, sourcing specialists, and procurement professionals.
• Providing strategic direction and ensuring alignment with procurement objectives.
• Driving professional development and capability building within the team.
• Fostering a collaborative, performance-driven culture focused on value creation and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate combines strong strategic procurement leadership with deep expertise in ICT sourcing and technology markets., * Master's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Professional procurement certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent are considered an asset.

Experience

• Minimum of 10-12 years of experience in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing within complex organizations.
• Proven track record managing ICT categories including software, cloud services, telecommunications, IT infrastructure, and digital platforms.
• Experience negotiating high-value global contracts with leading technology vendors.
• Strong experience operating in multinational environments and matrix organizations.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Procurement Leadership Ability to define and implement global sourcing strategies that deliver measurable business value.

• ICT Market Expertise Deep understanding of the global technology supplier landscape and emerging technology ecosystems.

• Commercial & Financial Acumen Strong analytical capabilities with expertise in Total Cost of Ownership and value-based sourcing.

• Negotiation Excellence Demonstrated success negotiating complex, high-value technology contracts with global vendors.

• Risk Management & Governance Ability to proactively identify and mitigate supplier, operational, and regulatory risks.

• Data-Driven Decision Making Strong analytical mindset enabling evidence-based sourcing decisions and performance management.

• Leadership & Stakeholder Influence Ability to influence senior executives and drive cross-functional collaboration.

• Innovation & Digital Awareness Strong understanding of digital transformation trends and their impact on sourcing strategies.

• Languages

• Fluent in English

• Additional European languages are considered an advantage.

Additional Requirements

• Comfortable operating in a global environment.
• Ability to collaborate across international teams and cultures.
• Willingness to travel internationally when required.

This is a unique opportunity to join a company in the midst of a major transformation journey, where technology, procurement excellence, and innovation are key drivers of future success.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Play a key role in shaping the organization's technology sourcing strategy
• Work on large-scale digital and operational transformation initiatives
• Collaborate with senior leaders across technology, operations, and procurement
• Operate in a dynamic international environment
• Contribute directly to building a more efficient, digital, and sustainable organization
• The role combines strategic impact, leadership responsibility, and access to a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, making it an exceptional opportunity for senior procurement professionals with strong ICT expertise.

Our client is a leading international organization operating at the crossroads of logistics, technology, and digital services. With a strong European footprint and a rapidly expanding global presence, the company plays a vital role in connecting businesses, consumers, and markets through innovative and reliable solutions. Over the past years, the organization has embarked on an ambitious transformation journey aimed at modernizing its operations, accelerating digital capabilities, and strengthening its position in an increasingly technology-driven ecosystem. Significant investments are being made in advanced IT infrastructure, digital platforms, data capabilities, and automation to support future growth and operational excellence. Technology and procurement are central to this transformation. As the organization continues to scale and modernize its digital landscape, strategic sourcing of technology solutions has become a key enabler of innovation, resilience, and long-term competitiveness. Within this context, the organization is looking to strengthen its procurement leadership by appointing a Global ICT Category Head who will play a pivotal role in shaping the technology sourcing strategy and developing strategic partnerships with leading global technology providers. This role offers a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of procurement strategy, digital transformation, and international supplier ecosystems, contributing directly to the organization's next phase of growth and innovation.