Category Manager, IT And Professional Services

storaenso; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stora Enso is seeking a driven Category Manager to lead sourcing strategy and execution for IT within our global Sourcing & Logistics function. You will own supplier relationships, drive cost competitiveness, and build a resilient, sustainable supply base aligned with business priorities.

Your impact includes owning category strategy, driving cost efficiencies, leading tenders and contracts, and collaborating across business units to optimize value and risk management.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in strategic sourcing / category management.
• 3+ years in strategic IT sourcing.
• Proven success in complex negotiations and contract management.
• Data-driven mindset with analytics & digital tools.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive category strategy, spend, and sourcing outcomes.
• Deliver best total cost while ensuring quality and service.
• Lead tenders, negotiations, and contracts with global suppliers.
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business priorities.
• Secure lowest total cost for required quality and service levels.
• Build and develop a competitive, sustainable supplier base.
• Mitigate risk and ensure continuity of supply.
• Leverage supplier innovation to support business growth.
• Use advanced tools (e-sourcing, analytics, AI) to improve efficiency and transparency.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across business units.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

IT sourcing

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

Tools

Analytics tools

Job description

Part of the global bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable products in packaging, biomaterials and wooden construction, and one of the largest private forest owners in the world. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. We employ approximately 19,000 people.

Career for a better climate. Every day.

We're now looking for a driven Category Manager to lead sourcing strategy and execution for IT within our global Sourcing & Logistics function. You will own supplier relationships, drive cost competitiveness, and build a resilient, sustainable supply base aligned with business priorities.

Your impact

• Own and drive category strategy, spend, and sourcing outcomes
• Deliver best total cost while ensuring quality and service
• Lead tenders, negotiations, and contracts with global suppliers
• Develop and execute category strategies with focus to deliver
• Secure lowest total cost for the required quality and service levels
• Build and develop a competitive, sustainable supplier base
• Mitigate risk and ensure continuity of supply
• Leverage supplier innovation to support business growth
• Use advanced tools (e-sourcing, analytics, AI) to improve efficiency and transparency
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across business units

Requirements

• 5+ years in strategic sourcing / category management
• 3+ years of experience in strategic IT sourcin g
• Proven success in complex negotiations and contract management
• Strong understanding of supplier markets, TCO, and cost drivers
• Experience working in international, cross-functional environments
• Data-driven mindset and comfort with analytics & digital tools
• Excellent communication and stakeholder influencing skills
• High integrity, proactive mindset, and a results-driven approach

Who you are

• Structured and analytical, with a strong commercial mindset
• A relationship builder who engages and challenges stakeholders
• Courageous and pragmatic, always looking for better ways of working
• A clear communicator who builds trust and drives alignment

We are recruiting for this position across multiple locations and are opening to hire in any of our office locations across Europe.

Depending on the role, we might invite you to a (video) interview and/or aptitude tests. Also, our recruitment process could include pre-employment actions such as background, reference, and health checks as well as a drug test. If you have any questions about the role, please contact the recruiting manager Anders Malmborg, [e-mail]