Category Cluster Lead – IT Hardware & Software

Shape the Future of IT Procurement at Vanderlande

Introduction

Vanderlande is seeking a new Category Cluster Leader IT Hardware & Software to drive strategic category management across our procurement activities. You will be part of the Procurement department and report directly into the Head of Global Indirect Spend. You will own and manage your own category portfolio, and you will functionally lead and orchestrate a team of Category Managers. Your leadership will be critical at the intersection of procurement and technology, driving initiatives that enable the organization’s digital transformation and adoption of emerging technologies.

Our global procurement organization enables our projects and business functions by maximizing value and minimizing risks via the procurement of goods and services in the most smart, cost-effective and sustainable way. We ensure a resilient and competitive supplier ecosystem and aim to advance towards best-in-class practices, and ensure the organization is efficient, effective, and future-proof. Furthermore, our procurement organization plays an important role in Vanderlande's transformation from an Engineer-to-Order (ETO) to a Configure-to-Order (CTO) business model. This new model aims at enhancing value for its customers through increased standardization, scalability, and more competitive solutions.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of IT procurement, influence enterprise-wide technology strategies, and deliver measurable impact through innovation, cost optimization, and risk mitigation.

What will you be doing?

As a Category Cluster Leader, you will lead strategic initiatives to optimize category performance, focusing on cost savings and supplier relationship management. You will set up and coordinate cross-functional category teams, develop and implement optimal category strategies, lead complex sourcing events, and ensure compliance with sourcing policies and legal requirements. Your role is crucial in aligning category activities with Vanderlande's strategic goals and integrating them effectively across the procurement domain.

Responsibilities

• Develop and/or coordinate overarching category cluster strategy, (support) setting up cross-functional category teams (e.g., with Technology & IT departments).
• Establish and maintain governance structures for the assigned category cluster to ensure organizational resilience. Develop a comprehensive multi-year roadmap (including negotiation roadmap) and oversee its execution through regular tracking and reporting.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by facilitating knowledge sharing and coaching across the category cluster team. Leverage internal and external best practices to identify synergies and drive operational excellence.
• Steer the performance of the category cluster. Foster cross-functional collaboration, proactively manage risks, and ensure alignment with broader business goals.
• Focus on enhancing compliance and governance across all IT procurement activities, ensuring alignment with internal policies and external regulations. You will work closely with stakeholders across IT, Legal, Finance, and Risk to embed transparency and accountability into every sourcing decision.
• Lead complex sourcing events, setting up cross functional sourcing event teams, overseeing the creation of RfX documents, setting selection and awarding criteria, validating the longlist of suppliers, evaluating proposals, shortlisting suppliers for further negotiations, conducting negotiations, and awarding contracts
• Coordinate light strategic sourcing events (e.g., Light Tendering, Spot-Buys, Auctions) that are executed by the Centre of Excellence (CoE), analyzing scope and requirements, validating sourcing request forms, shortlisting suppliers, conducting negotiations, and recommending suppliers for award
• In collaboration with Corporate Counsel, oversee the creation of contracts and enforce the use of contract templates for the legal engagement of suppliers
• Initiate and oversee supplier onboarding for new suppliers
• Own and be accountable for the overall performance of suppliers within your assigned category cluster and assigned categories, fostering collaboration and managing risks effectively
• Develop, implement, and maintain the required policies for your categories, ensuring alignment with business objectives, ethical guidelines, and legal requirements
• Accountable for actively managing Item Master Data for your assigned categories (suppliers, items, catalogs, prices, etc.) with support from MDM Specialists
• Identify, assess, and implement activities within the designated category that can be transitioned to the Center of Excellence (CoE) to enhance operational support and efficiency.
• Responsible for ensuring mutual alignment and effective communication between global and regional category teams to maintain consistent strategies and maximize global leverage

What do we ask from you?

To be successful in this role, you should have:

• A strong background (+ 7 Years) in procurement of Hardware & Software, with a proven track record in category management and strategic sourcing
• Knowledge and experience with strategic sourcing of modern IT solutions (Cloud, AI, Data)
• Knowledge and practical experience with strategic sourcing methodologies and tools, potentially validated through a certification (e.g., APICS, CPSM, SCMP)
• Experience in leading complex sourcing events and negotiations, with the ability to set clear objectives and evaluate supplier proposals effectively
• Knowledge of sourcing policies, ethical guidelines, and legal requirements to ensure compliance in all procurement activities
• Excellent collaboration skills to work closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and legal teams to ensure compliance and alignment with business objectives
• Leadership qualities to guide and develop the category team, managing Category Coordinators and collaborating with Supplier Relationship Managers
• Ability to travel internationally up to 20% of the time

About the team

Our Supply Management team in Procurement is a dynamic and collaborative group of procurement professionals dedicated to optimizing both direct and indirect spend across the organization. Our team comprises of category experts and supplier relationship managers who develop and implement tailored procurement strategies that align with local market dynamics while supporting global objectives.

We cultivate robust supplier partnerships, negotiate competitive contracts, and identify opportunities for cost savings, always enhancing efficiency and value. By working closely with demand management, procurement centers of excellence, and external suppliers, we ensure all procurement activities comply with regulations and support overall business goals. Through strong relationships and effective communication across regional and global teams, we drive sustainable procurement performance and support the organization in achieving its strategic objectives.

About Vanderlande

Vanderlande is the global market leader for future-proof logistic process automation at airports and in the parcel market. Furthermore, we are also a leading supplier of process automation solutions for warehouses, which seamlessly integrate innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services.

At Vanderlande, you can develop your career, satisfy your ambitions, aspire to new heights, while enjoying personal growth and thriving on achievement.

What we offer

In this challenging position, you will have the chance to make a significant contribution to industry-leading projects and be connected to our dedicated people and customers. We offer a position in an informal, international and professional working environment with a lot of scope for personal development.

This position offers a competitive salary range of € 6.200 to € 8.500 gross per month (excluding 8% holiday allowance).

On top of your fixed salary you’ll receive the following secondary benefits:

• 40 vacation days (20 statutory days and a flexible budget worth 20 days).
• Flexible working hours.
• A hybrid workplace (40% working from home and 60% in the office)
• A Health & Wellbeing budget worth €300,- per calendar year
• Commuting allowance, including full reimbursement of travel by public transport.
• Working from home allowance.
• Collective pension scheme and discount on additional health insurance
• On-site company health centres with a gym, physiotherapists and occupational therapists
• A variety in Vanderlande Network communities and initiatives