Category Manager IT & Marketing (m/df/d)

KWS Group; Berlin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International team

30 days holidays

Flexible working hours

Company pension scheme

JobRad and/or Jobticket

Career development

Job summary

KWS Berlin GmbH in Berlin seeks a full-time permanent Category Manager for IT & Marketing to develop and implement global sourcing strategies for IT products, services, and digital solutions, aligning with the company’s digital transformation and cost optimization efforts.

You will lead end-to-end procurement activities, manage supplier relationships, negotiate software licenses and cloud contracts, ensure compliance, and support Marketing Services initiatives within a global matrix organization.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Proven experience in strategic procurement with IT focus.
• Experience with software, cloud services, hardware, telecom, and IT services procurement.
• Strong supplier relationship management and contract negotiation in international contexts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global category strategies for IT procurement in line with business priorities and digital transformation.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing activities including market analysis, supplier selection, negotiations and contracting.
• Manage procurement of software, hardware, cloud solutions, telecoms, IT services and other digital tech.
• Negotiate complex licensing, SaaS, cloud, managed services and commercial agreements to optimize value.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with key technology suppliers and service providers.
• Act as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, translating requirements into procurement strategies.
• Ensure compliance with policies, information security standards and data privacy regulations.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while enabling innovation and supplier performance improvements.
• Lead procurement projects in a global matrix organization; support Marketing Services sourcing when needed.

Skills

IT procurement

Strategic sourcing

Sourcing management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Change management

English proficiency

Education

University degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

SAP SRM

ERP systems

Job description

For KWS Berlin GmbH we are looking for a full-time permanent Category Manager IT & Marketing in Berlin who will be responsible for developing and implementing global sourcing strategies for IT products, services, and digital solutions, as well as for Marketing projects. As a strategic business partner to IT, Digital, and other corporate functions, the role ensures value-driven procurement decisions that support KWS’ digital transformation, optimize costs, manage risks, and foster innovation. In addition, the position supports selected sourcing activities within Marketing Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global category strategies for IT procurement in alignment with KWS business priorities and digital transformation objectives.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing activities, including market analysis, sourcing strategy development, supplier selection, negotiations, contracting, and implementation.
• Manage procurement of software, hardware, cloud solutions, telecommunications, IT services, and other digital technologies.
• Negotiate complex software licensing, SaaS, cloud, managed services, and commercial agreements to achieve optimal business outcomes.
• Build, manage, and continuously develop strategic relationships with key technology suppliers and service providers.
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, translating business requirements into effective procurement and supplier strategies.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, legal requirements, information security standards, data privacy regulations, and internal governance frameworks.
• Identify and realize cost‑saving opportunities while enabling innovation, supplier performance improvements, and business continuity.
• Lead procurement projects and change initiatives in a global matrix organization.
• Support selected sourcing initiatives within Marketing Services where required.

Qualifications And Experience

• University degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Solid several years of experience in strategic procurement, ideally with a strong focus on IT Procurement.
• Proven expertise in sourcing and managing software, cloud services, hardware, telecommunications, and IT service providers.
• Strong experience in supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, and stakeholder management within international environments.
• Knowledge of procurement and ERP systems, ideally SAP and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) solutions.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken. Additional languages, particularly German, are an advantage.

Competencies

• Strong strategic, commercial, and analytical mindset.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex global matrix organizations.
• Strong stakeholder and change management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills across all organizational levels, including senior leadership.
• Results-oriented, proactive, and able to work independently with a high degree of ownership.
• Collaborative team player with a strong customer and service orientation.

Benefits

• We are an international team of open-minded people with diverse and cross-functional experience
• Interesting and challenging tasks and projects
• As a family business, we are guided by the values of closeness, reliability, vision and independence; this culture is lived in practice and ensures an open and friendly working atmosphere from day one
• The best of both worlds: KWS Berlin combines the security of a large, stable company with the passion of a start-up
• Our location in the heart of Berlin-Schöneberg is very modern; directly opposite the underground station Bülowstraße and with secured car & bicycle parking spaces
• We offer 30d holidays, flexible working hours, holiday and Christmas bonuses, company pension scheme, JobRad and/or Jobticket
• True to our motto "Make yourself grow", we support the professional and personal development of our employees