Company

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.

What you’ll do

The Category Manager manages procurement activities across the category. Ensuring that cost savings are delivered and cost management structures are leveraged. The Category Manager focuses on the management of a team that carries out activities that deliver cost savings through effective negotiations and securing favorable terms and volume discounts, achieving measurable value for Vodafone. You will:
Impact on the Business

• Manage the delivery of global category strategy, Order Intake, and saving targets.
• Question current business thinking of requirements and how those requirements can be presented to Suppliers to Vodafone’s advantage.
• Input into reporting against targets as defined by overall SCM goals and objectives, manage and ensure the usage of Supply Chain tools, processes, policies, and standards.
• Manage cost modeling of various scenarios and manage aggregation of demand to leverage Vodafone’s global scale and scope.
• Be accountable for supporting the wider Core, Transmission & Software Team.
• Ensure the global category strategy is managed in terms of best practice operation and development.
• Responsible for ensuring budget holder's requirements are defined and reflected in the Category Strategy.
• Manage global relationships with key category suppliers.

Budget holders, Suppliers, and Third Parties

• Manage RFQ, negotiation, and conclusion of contracts with suppliers over major deals working with Legal and internal stakeholders to ensure business requirements are met.
• Accountable for managing relationships with and monitoring the performance of key suppliers.
• Identify & evaluate potential future global suppliers.
• Create and maintain a supplier database for her/his/their category.
• Joint working with Operations and Enablement teams across the SCM (Supply Chain Management) Community.

Guidance and Teamwork

• Cooperate with the local market function and Shared Service Centres.
• Support the wider Core, Transmission & Software team to ensure success is recognized, and take appropriate measures to ensure improvement of day-to-day operations.
• Develop a strong customer-focus approach extending it to the whole team.

Who you are

• Procurement Experience: Strong commercial and negotiation skills with procurement experience in the Telecoms industry including 5G transformation, Voice, and Packet Core. Experience of working within procurement either at the global or local level, technical knowledge of networks & services, and possess ability to recommend/drive category transformation
• Analytical Skillset: Proven reasoning skills capabilities.
• Management Skills: Management and teamwork, key focus on collaboration with virtual teams in cross-cultural environments.
• Results-oriented: Track record of delivering against demanding targets
• Stakeholder Management: Effective engagement with key stakeholders and a well-developed ability to communicate and present at the senior management level.
• Communication Skills: Well-developed written and verbal communication and executive presentation skills.
• Customer-focused: Customer-obsessed, innovation-hungry, and embodies behaviors of Speed, Simplicity, and Trust
• Education & Experience: A higher degree in Engineering (e.g. Electrical/Electronics/Industrial/Mechanical Engineering) or Technology or proven experience in the field.

Not a perfect fit?

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.

What's in it for you

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

Who we are

You may have already heard of Vodafone - We're 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 that's Vodafone, Vodacom or _VOIS, you'll 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 recognise 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, colour, 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.

Together we can