Category Manager IT

About the role

Procurement is part of the Finance Division and is responsible for delivering sustainable value across the Alpiq Group. Through strategic sourcing, supplier management and close collaboration with business stakeholders, Procurement ensures the availability of goods and services while driving efficiencies, cost optimization and risk mitigation.

The function contributes significantly to Alpiq’s performance by increasing financial and procurement transparency, supporting informed decision-making and enabling business transformation initiatives. As a trusted business partner, Procurement plays an active role in supporting the Group’s strategic objectives and digitalization journey.

As a Group Procurement function, the team supports business operations across seven European countries, ensuring a consistent procurement approach while addressing local business requirements and market conditions.

This position is part of the Indirect Procurement team, focusing on Group-wide indirect spend categories. Assets and Asset Development procurement activities are outside the scope of the role.

To further strengthen our Indirect Procurement team, we are looking for a Category Manager IT who will manage strategic IT categories and act as Procurement Representative for assigned countries within the Alpiq Group. The position reports to the Head Procurement.

Your responsibilities

• Define, implement and continuously improve category strategies for:
• IT Services
• IT Security
• Software & SaaS
• Licenses
• Lead sourcing activities, tenders and supplier negotiations to achieve optimal commercial, operational and risk outcomes.
• Manage the end-to-end RFX process, including supplier evaluation, selection and contract award.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders and strategic suppliers.
• Act as the primary Procurement contact for key IT suppliers, managing strategic supplier relationships, performance, risks and commercial opportunities across the Alpiq Group.
• Identify and implement cost optimization, value creation and process improvement initiatives across the assigned categories.
• Support the adoption of AI, automation and digital procurement solutions to improve efficiency and create business value.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure effective contract and supplier relationship management.
• Support claim management and commercial negotiations with suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, category strategies and contractual obligations.
• Act as Procurement Representative for assigned Alpiq countries, supporting local stakeholders and ensuring alignment between local business requirements and Group Procurement objectives across Alpiq's European operations.
• Manage an annual spend portfolio and actively contribute to achieving Group Procurement savings and value creation targets.
• Contribute to Group-wide procurement initiatives and cross-functional projects.
• Support the implementation of Alpiq’s IT and digitalization strategy from a procurement perspective.

Your profile

• 5+ years of experience in strategic procurement, category management or sourcing of IT Services, Software, SaaS, Licenses and related technology categories in an international environment.
• University degree in Business Administration, Procurement, IT or a related field.
• Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing sourcing projects and supplier negotiations in a multinational environment.
• Experience managing strategic supplier relationships and delivering measurable business value.
• Ability to build trust and influence stakeholders across different functions and countries.
• Analytical and solution-oriented mindset with strong commercial awareness.
• Entrepreneurial attitude with a continuous improvement mindset.
• High resilience and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Fluent English is required. Additional language skills, particularly German or French, are considered an asset.

Nice to have

• Strong understanding of IT Services and managed service models.
• Experience with Software, SaaS and software licensing agreements.
• Understanding of IT Security products and services.
• Experience with AI solutions, automation technologies and digital transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of contract management and supplier performance management.
• Experience working in a matrix organization and managing cross-functional projects.
• Professional procurement certification (e.g. CIPS) is an advantage.

What we offer

• A key role within Group Procurement with responsibility for strategically important IT categories across seven European countries.
• A unique opportunity to combine strategic IT category management with the role of Procurement Representative for a dedicated Alpiq country, providing broad business exposure and direct interaction with local leadership teams.
• Opportunity to shape procurement strategies for critical technology categories and key supplier relationships.
• Exposure to international business, IT and digital transformation initiatives.
• The opportunity to contribute to AI-driven and digital procurement transformation initiatives.
• An international and collaborative working environment.
• Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development