Software Category Manager – IT Procurement – onsite in the Netherlands

• Practice SAP

• Technologies Job Title

• Location Eindhoven, Netherlands

• Type Contract

Procurement Category Manager – Software Specialist

Eindhoven, Netherlands | Contract until 1 May 2027 | 40 hrs/week

About the Role

Are you a seasoned procurement professional with deep expertise in software and enterprise technology contracts? We're looking for a Procurement Category Manager to join a world-leading industrial technology company's IT Procurement team on a contract basis.

In this high-impact role, you'll manage a portfolio of software suppliers, lead complex commercial negotiations, and work closely with senior stakeholders across IT, Legal, Finance, and Architecture — all within a dynamic, international environment.

What You'll Be Doing

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with IT and business leaders to understand software demand, technology roadmaps, and upcoming sourcing needs
• Engage early in the software lifecycle to shape requirements, evaluate alternatives, and maximise commercial outcomes
• Facilitate cross-functional decision-making across IT, Legal, Finance, Security, Architecture, and Software Asset Management

Software Category & Supplier Management

• Own and manage a diverse portfolio of software suppliers
• Develop and execute software category strategies with a deep understanding of licensing models, commercial structures, and market trends
• Establish governance frameworks and escalation paths to drive effective supplier collaboration

Negotiation & Contract Management

• Lead commercial negotiations for software renewals, new purchases, and contract amendments
• Build data-driven negotiation strategies using market intelligence and benchmarking
• Negotiate comprehensive terms covering pricing, licensing metrics, SLAs, risk allocation, and scalability

Market Intelligence & Business Advisory

• Analyse spend data and market trends to identify cost optimisation and consolidation opportunities
• Provide expert procurement advice to internal stakeholders on software investment decisions
• Contribute to long-term software sourcing strategies aligned with the organisation's technology objectives

What We're Looking For

• Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Economics, IT, Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management
• Proven track record negotiating software, SaaS, and enterprise technology contracts
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing global technology vendors
• Confident influencer — able to challenge senior stakeholders constructively
• Comfortable operating in complex, international, matrix organisations
• Sharp analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable sourcing strategies

Ready to Apply?

If you're a procurement expert ready to make a real impact in a high-profile technology environment, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch to find out more.

This is a temporary worker role on payroll within the industrial manufacturing sector.

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