Global Category Manager Managed Services

The Vodafone Procurement and Connectivity Company (VPC) in Luxembourg is a vital part of the Vodafone Group, driving our ambition to connect for a better future. At VPC, we source products and services globally to ensure our business operates at its peak performance. Our mission is to support our people in delivering on our strategy, creating a brand cherished by customers, communities, partners, and colleagues alike.

We believe in empowering our team members, encouraging them to take ownership and make the most of their diverse talents. Continuous learning and growth are at the heart of our culture, fostering both personal and professional development.

We get it done, together.

Are you ready to inspire innovation and drive transformation in a dynamic and impactful role? Join our team as a Category Manager, Managed Services, and take charge of defining and shaping the future of our Field Maintenance and Managed Services category strategy. This is your opportunity to make a significant impact and work with a global expert in telecommunications.

In this role, you will define and execute the Field Maintenance and Managed Services category strategy, driving innovation and automation to transform the category. You will implement the D2C methodology, focusing on cost drivers assessment and process improvement to optimize efficiency and performance and successfully manage and deliver Field Maintenance and Managed Services projects across various OpCo’s and Partner Markets, ensuring alignment with strategic goals. You will lead negotiations for projects, contract renewals, and amendments, establishing yourself as a recognized VPC domain expert while collaborating with local teams and stakeholders and achieving optimal cost of ownership, savings, and VPC order intake targets, securing project delivery following strategy. You will be responsible for developing and delivering innovative commercial models, contributing to the supplier roadmap, and ensure long-term sourcing choices are considered during category development. You will:
Your Impact

• Manage the delivery of global category strategy, order intake, and savings targets while maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Oversee cost modeling and demand aggregation, leveraging Vodafone’s global scale for maximum efficiency and supporting overall SCM goals and objectives.
• Ensure the category strategy aligns with best practices, challenges current business thinking, and presents requirements to suppliers to maximize Vodafone’s advantage.
• Utilize supply chain tools, processes, policies, and standards to manage the category effectively, ensuring budget holders’ requirements are reflected in the strategy.

Budget Holders, Suppliers, and Third Parties

• Lead RFQs, negotiations, and contract conclusions with suppliers, ensuring business requirements are met in collaboration with Legal and internal stakeholders.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers, monitor performance, and identify potential future global suppliers.
• Create and maintain a supplier database for the category, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information.
• Work closely with Operations and Enablement teams across the SCM Community to ensure seamless collaboration and success.

Management and Teamwork

• Cooperate with local market functions and Shared Service Centres, supporting the Line Manager and Head of Leased Lines, Design to Cost, and Managed Services.
• Develop a strong customer-focused approach and extend it to the entire team, ensuring that success is recognized and day-to-day operations are continuously improved.

Innovation and Change

• Develop and deliver innovative commercial models, producing solutions for third-party customers and contributing to SCM best practices.
• Investigate and drive performance improvements within the category, working with suppliers to identify innovation opportunities that benefit Vodafone

Communication

• Develop and implement a clear stakeholder engagement approach supported by a comprehensive communication plan.
• Ensure project teams have a clear definition of roles and responsibilities, effectively influencing internal stakeholders and external suppliers to achieve success.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with key stakeholders and communicate clearly at senior management levels.
• Customer Focus: Passionate about customer satisfaction and innovation, embodying the values of Speed, Simplicity, and Trust.
• Procurement Expertise: Experience in procurement at a global or local level with technical knowledge of networks and services, and the ability to drive category transformation with a track record of delivering against challenging targets.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial and negotiation skills, particularly concerning multi-year agreements.
• Management and Teamwork: Proven ability to manage and collaborate within virtual teams, fostering a culture of teamwork and cooperation.
• Team Collaboration: Successful experience working with virtual teams in a cross-cultural environment.
• Communication Skills: Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create and deliver executive presentations.
• Reasoning skills: Strong data analysis capabilities, with a proven ability to derive actionable insights.
• Language Skills: Proficient in English with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Education & Experience: A higher degree (technical background in Electronics or Electrical Engineering would be valuable) or proven experience in the field.

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.

We want you to feel happy and fulfilled at work, without compromising the other things in life that matter to you. Here are some of the ways we support this:

Annual Discretionary Bonus

• Rewarding your hard work and dedication

Generous Annual Leave

• 28 days of annual leave, with the option to buy an additional 5 days and the opportunity to carry over 5 days per year
• 1 additional day (Family Day) for personal milestones or special occasions
• 11 public holidays to enjoy time with family and friends
• 5 charity days per year to give back to the community

Flexible Work Arrangements

• Flexible working schedule to help you balance your professional and personal life
• 20 days to work from abroad, allowing you to combine work with travel and new experiences

Comprehensive Health and Wellness

• Lunch vouchers to support your midday meals
• Access to private AXA health insurance and a robust pension scheme to secure your health and future

Continuous Learning and Development

• Access to Vodafone University and online training resources to help you grow your skills and advance your career

You may have already heard of Vodafone - Were a leading Telecommunications company in Europe and Africa. But what you might not know is that we are continuously investing in new technologies to improve the lives of millions of customers, businesses, and people around the world, creating a better future for everyone.

As part of our global family, whether thats Vodafone, Vodacom or _VOIS, youll feel a sense of pride and purpose as you contribute to our culture of innovation. We pursue equality of opportunity and inclusion for all candidates through our employment policies and practices. We recognize and celebrate the importance of diversity and inclusivity in our workspace and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination especially related to but not limited to race, color, age, veteran status, gender identification, sexual orientation, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, religion, political affiliation, trade union membership, nationality, Indigenous status, medical condition, HIV status, social origin, cultural background, social, or marital status.