Regional Category Manager : IT and Professional Services (Europe)
We are seeking a high:impact Regional Category Manager for IT and Professional Services to develop European strategy and lead category across European market while being an integral part of our global category leadership network. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape procurement strategy at scale, drive digital and service innovation, and create measurable business value across a complex, international organization.
You will act as a strategic business partner to key functional stakeholders, while managing critical supplier ecosystems across software, infrastructure, telecom, and professional services. This role combines strategic ownership, commercial excellence, and hands:on execution in a fast:paced global environment.
Key Responsibilities
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:Lead the European strategy for IT and Professional Services category, fully aligned with the global category roadmap.
:Act as a trusted business partner to regional and global stakeholders, translating business demand into high:impact sourcing strategies.
:Drive end:to:end sourcing execution, including market analysis, budgeting, cost modeling, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
:Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, ensuring performance, innovation, risk management, and long:term value creation.
:Lead complex commercial negotiations and contract finalization in close collaboration with Legal.
:Actively monitor market trends, digital innovation, and best practices to continuously enhance category performance.
:Identify and deliver value creation opportunities through cost optimization, standardization, demand management, and process improvement.
:Contribute to global category governance and best:practice sharing across regions.
:Ensure full compliance with internal procurement standards, ESG principles, and external regulatory requirements.
Key Requirements
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:University degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, IT, or related field; professional procurement certifications are a strong advantage.
:5:10 years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Consulting, or IT Sourcing within an international environment.
:Strong hands:on experience in IT and Professional Services sourcing, including: Software and licensing, IT infrastructure and cloud, Telecommunications, Consulting and professional services
:Proven track record in strategic sourcing, contracting and negotiations and supplier relationship management
:Ability to operate effectively in a matrix, multicultural, and fast:paced global organization.
:Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
:Strong analytical and financial acumen.
:Ability to think strategically while driving execution with discipline and speed.
:Fluency in English; additional European languages are a plus.
:Advanced skills in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP and e:sourcing tools is an advantage.
Leadership and Behavioral Competencies
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:Strategic mindset with strong execution focus
:Change leadership and transformation mindset
:Customer and stakeholder orientation
:Target:driven and performance:focused
:Cross:functional collaboration
:Ability to build strong supplier and stakeholder ecosystems
Closing date for applications; 21.01.26.
About Ardagh Group
Ardagh Group is a global leader in metal and glass packaging solutions, producing packaging for the world's leading brands. We trace our roots all the way back to the Irish Glass Bottle Company, founded in 1932. Since then we have grown rapidly to a team of more than 20,000 people with revenues of almost 10 billion. Today we have a presence across Europe, Africa and the Americas.
:Did you know that Ardagh produce many of the beverage cans and bottles you drin