Global IT Procurement Director

About the job

Our Cycles & Procurement (C&P) organisation is instrumental in Danone's success not only as a pivotal partner in meeting our sustainability and nature commitments, but also harnessing the expertise of our external partners who work with us in creating an ecosystem of success for all. Across areas such as innovation, product superiority but also minimising our impact.

The C&P organisation is organised by zones (3) and category management, including Indirects and Excellence.

• Global IT Procurement Director
• Netherlands
• Hoofddorp
• Hybrid
• Permanent Full-Time

Reporting to the Global Head of Indirects, you will own the global IT procurement strategy. Manage a team of 5 including 2 direct reports, and partner closely with Technology, Finance, Legal, Security and senior business stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Your mission is to move IT procurement beyond sourcing execution through becoming a trusted strategic adviser in technology decisions. You will strengthen Danone’s supplier ecosystem, and enable better choices on cost, innovation, resilience, security, AI-enabled transformation and long-term architecture.

In addition but not exclusively you will:

• Define and deliver multi-year global category strategies across software, SaaS, cloud, infrastructure, telecoms, cybersecurity, data, AI, SAP and enterprise platforms, IT services and system integrators.
• Use market intelligence, supplier roadmaps, benchmarks and technology trends to shape sourcing priorities, including how AI will reshape technology sourcing, supplier models and procurement value creation.
• Translate Danone’s digital, data and technology priorities into sourcing roadmaps that balance cost, value, innovation, resilience, security and flexibility.
• Engage the business early in major technology decisions, transformation programmes and supplier selections
• Build trusted relationships with CIO, CFO and senior functional leaders by speaking the language of technology, finance and the business.
• Own the IT procurement value agenda, including productivity, demand management, cash, cost avoidance, supplier innovation, service performance and risk reduction.
• Lead complex global negotiations and develop commercial models that reward outcomes, adoption, productivity and innovation, not just capacity or effort.
• Develop strong business cases, align stakeholders and secure measurable commitments on value delivery, governance and implementation.
• Build and govern a strategic global supplier ecosystem, with executive-level relationships, clear performance expectations and active innovation pipelines.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing global team, building capability, role clarity, decision rights and accountability for business outcomes.
• Strengthen contract and supplier risk management across service levels, cybersecurity, data privacy, AI, intellectual property, benchmarking, audit, termination, liability and business continuity.

About you

Skills

• A strategic technology procurement leader who shapes decisions upstream
• Commercially sharp and market-facing, with strong understanding of technology suppliers, pricing models, benchmarks, AI disruption and negotiation levers.
• Credible with senior stakeholders, able to influence CIO, CFO and executive-level supplier conversations with confidence and clarity.
• Curious, challenging and fact-based, with the confidence to question incumbent choices and create better alternatives.
• Comfortable working in ambiguity, across cultures and geographies, and in complex global transformation environments.
• A people leader who develops talent, creates focus and builds a culture of performance, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Experience

• 15+ years in IT procurement, technology sourcing, commercial management or a senior technology-industry role, with experience managing large, complex and global portfolios.
• Deep knowledge of the global technology market: software, SaaS, cloud, infrastructure, enterprise platforms, IT services, system integrators, telecoms, cybersecurity, data, AI and emerging technologies.
• Strong command of technology commercial models, including enterprise agreements, subscription pricing, licensing, cloud economics, managed services, outsourcing, marketplaces and outcome-based models.
• A track record of high-value global negotiations, strategic supplier management and influencing CIO, CFO and senior business stakeholders.
• Strong financial, analytical and risk skills, including TCO, benchmarking, supplier dependency, cybersecurity, data privacy, IP and business continuity.
• Experience with SAP or major ERP transformations is strongly valued.
• Relevant backgrounds include FMCG, finance or banking, technology vendors such as cloud, software or telecom providers, system integrators, managed-services providers and technology consultancies.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and develop talent.
• Fluent English is a must; French is an asset.

About Danone

Working here you’ll need to enjoy a fast-pace and complexity. But it’s packed with opportunities. You’ll work with some of the best-known brands in the world. Be innovative and entrepreneurial and the impact you could make might just amaze you.