The Senior Category Manager will be responsible for the Strategic sourcing and Category Strategy development of Technology related sub-categories for Global Procurement, including but not limited to Cloud & Infrastructure, Network & Telecom, Software, and Hardware. The position has global responsibilities across all Booking Holdings brands and reports to the Technology Tower Lead in the Global Procurement department which is part of the Booking Holdings Finance organization.
Responsibilities:
- Lead a team to develop and implement procurement category strategies across Technology sub-categories to deliver P&L Savings and overall procurement value to the business. This senior role will lead a small team of 4-5 team members and be responsible for managing stakeholders in our IT Services & IT Security organisations.
- Communicate, and manage, the delivery of the goals and objectives assigned.
- Manage the work of self and team without adding any more layers and span of control.
- Manage priorities for the team accordingly.
- Drive major savings initiatives through sourcing, demand management and process optimization
- Conduct detailed spend analysis and bench-marking, evaluate market and competitive conditions and use as a basis to create data based Category strategies and sourcing activities
- Cultivate close relationships with senior leaders and business partners globally to support their objectives and the company growth agenda
- Actively participate in the implementation of Procurement best-in-market processes and tools
- Design and maintain category and supplier-level reporting to senior executives and internal stakeholders
- Implement and manage effective supplier management processes to optimize the value of third-party relationships
Requirements:
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in Technology sourcing.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience managing a team.
- Bachelor degree Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field. MBA is a bonus
- Experience in leading negotiations with large Technology suppliers relevant to this stakeholder group, including: Amazon Web Services, ServiceNow, Microsoft, Dell, HPE, Virtus, Equinix, Snowflake, Oracle, Cisco, Google.
- Deep category knowledge in Data Center (colocation, servers, other DC hardware,) Cloud infrastructure, Private Cloud Software solutions, Generative AI Software and Platforms, Engineering Software tools, BI & Analytics Software.
- Deep knowledge of strategic sourcing methodology, category management, procure-to-pay processes and tools and supplier management
- Experience in leading small global teams
- Excellent analytical ability, attention to detail, and flexibility to work independently and in teams
- Excellent knowledge of contract & privacy law
- Deep experience in negotiating high-risk contracts, such as SaaS subscriptions and GenAi solutions
- Experience in spend analysis, market and benchmark analysis at a broad level
- Innovation in procurement process experience considered advantageous
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing and delivering presentations
- Demonstrated change management and project management skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to develop small teams and build credibility with business partners, with a strong focus on Customer Centricity
- Ability to manage and collaborate with teams and stakeholders across time zones and cultural differences.
- Character traits: open mind, learning attitude, transparent behavior, positive, strong communicator, proactive and collaborative.
- Strategic thinker yet focused on execution; able to roll up sleeves to get things done
- Able to function in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment
- Good cultural and organizational sensitivity
- Committed to building a diverse, inclusive work environment.
Pre-Employment Screening
If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre-employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable law, a pre-employment screening may include employment history, education and other information (such as media information) that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the position.
