Software Category Manager

CMA CGM; Paris; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CMA CGM is hiring a Category Manager Software in Paris to define and lead the global procurement strategy for the Software category. You will drive sourcing initiatives, negotiate with international suppliers, and manage a team of four software buyers in a matrix environment.

Seeking a Master’s degree with 10+ years in procurement, strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills, and fluency in French and English. This is a permanent, full-time position with CMA CGM Group.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field with international exposure.
• Minimum of 10 years in procurement, including IT services or category management.
• Proven experience leading procurement professionals in an international environment.
• Strong ability in complex negotiations, contract management, and supplier relationships.
• Track record in building and executing category strategies with measurable results.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management, fluent in French and English.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the global procurement strategy for Software, aligned with business priorities.
• Analyze supplier markets, trends, risks, and opportunities to optimize cost and value.
• Lead the full procurement lifecycle: requirements, sourcing, tendering, negotiating, contracting, and follow-up.
• Conduct complex negotiations with international suppliers to secure optimal terms.
• Structure and manage supplier relationships with performance reviews and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with IT, Finance, Legal, Security, Compliance and business stakeholders in a matrix environment.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and governance across the category.
• Monitor performance through cost savings, service quality, and contract compliance.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of four Software buyers, setting priorities and driving results.
• Prepare analyses and present recommendations to leadership and senior management.

Skills

Procurement

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Negotiations

Supplier relationship management

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree in Procurement, Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Management, or related field

Job description

Paris 75_FRA

CMA CGM

Purchasing - Procurement

Permanent contract

Full Time

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group's shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.

Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseilles where its head office is located.

THE ROLE

The Category Manager Software is responsible for defining and leading the global procurement strategy for the Software category. He/She drives sourcing initiatives, tenders, and strategic negotiations while ensuring economic, contractual, operational performance, and effective risk management. The role also includes the direct management of a team of four specialized Software buyers.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ?

• Define and implement the global procurement strategy for Software category, aligned with the Group's business and technology priorities.
• Analyze supplier markets, industry trends, risks, and opportunities to identify performance levers, innovation potential, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Lead the full procurement lifecycle for the category, including requirements definition, sourcing strategy, tender management, negotiations, contracting, and contract execution follow-up.
• Conduct complex and strategic negotiations with international suppliers to secure the best commercial, contractual, and service conditions.
• Structure and manage supplier relationships, including performance management, business reviews, continuous improvement plans, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Work closely with IT, Finance, Legal, Security, Compliance, and business stakeholders within a matrix and international environment.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance standards, and regulatory requirements across the category scope.
• Monitor category performance through key indicators such as cost savings, value creation, service quality, risk exposure, contractual compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of four Software buyers by setting priorities, fostering professional growth, and driving collective performance.
• Prepare and present analyses, recommendations, and results to relevant leadership teams and senior management.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR ?

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Procurement, Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of procurement experience, including significant exposure to IT Services procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management.
• Proven experience managing teams and leading procurement professionals in a demanding and international environment.
• Strong expertise in complex negotiations, contract management, and supplier relationship management.
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute category strategies and deliver measurable business results.
• Strong analytical skills, results-oriented mindset, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize effectively.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, including interaction with senior leadership.
• Fluent in both French and English within an international business environment.

Come along on CMA CGM's adventure !

Information at a Glance

Rise in motion with CMA CGM Group: where ambition meets opportunity.

Join a global team of nearly 200 nationalities, shaping the future of global trade, moving essential goods, forging newpaths, and pushing boundaries to serve an ever-changing world.

The pace is fast, the challenges are real, but the rewards are greater: growth, purpose, and thechance to make a meaningful impact. Thisis more than a job. It's a journey on which you rise.

See how you can rise