Director of Global Category Management for Logistics, Global Procurement

Vertiv; Dublin; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of Global Category Management for Logistics at Vertiv will lead global procurement strategies across Ocean, Road, Parcels, Warehousing and related services. You will drive cost efficiencies, supplier relationships and AI-enabled delivery models while aligning with Vertiv's strategic priorities.

This role requires extensive logistics procurement experience, strong leadership, and the ability to manage multi-regional engagements.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years in procurement or supply chain management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused logistics.
• Proven track record in developing and executing global category strategies that drive cost efficiencies and supplier performance across logistics categories.
• Deep understanding of logistics models, rate card structures, and the evolving impact of AI on services delivery.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Procurement: source partners for logistics using data-driven category strategies.
• Supplier Program Management: oversee supplier segmentation for logistics services.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: lead teams to analyze spend data and model costs.
• Cost Modelling: establish rate card benchmarking and total cost of engagement.
• Sourcing Strategy Development: create and implement sourcing and contracting strategies.
• Strategic Leadership: formulate procurement strategy for logistics services.
• Supplier Relationship Management: identify and cultivate strategic partnerships.
• Cost Efficiency Initiatives: drive cost reductions and value analysis.
• Risk Management: conduct market analyses and risk assessments incl. AI-driven models.
• Collaboration: align procurement timelines with operations.
• Standardization: standardize tools and contracting frameworks.
• Team Development: mentor a procurement team.
• Performance Measurement: establish KPIs to evaluate procurement.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier Relationships

Cost Modelling

Advanced Analytics

Cross-functional Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Finance, or related field

Master's degree or CPSM/CIPS certification

Tools

Power BI

Excel

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Global Category Management for Logistics is responsible for overseeing all aspects of negotiation, acquisition, and management of Logistics engagements critical to Vertiv's enterprise operations and transformation agenda. This strategic role encompasses all aspects of procurement of logistics including Ocean, Brokerage, TMS, Control Tower, Road, 3-4ppl, Warehousing, Parcel, Road, Rail and any other logistics needs across all Vertiv regions. Lead regional Global Category managers aligned to the modes of logistics, secures high-quality, outcome-driven engagements that align with business objectives while adapting procurement strategies to reflect the evolving AI-enabled services landscape. This role requires strong leadership capabilities to drive the execution of global strategies and set regional direction in collaboration with global procurement leadership. Additionally, this role will play a key role in fostering high-performing teams and ensuring alignment between procurement initiatives and overall business goals, making them a pivotal asset in our organizational success.

The ideal candidate will develop and implement category strategies that meet the diverse needs of business partners across the enterprise, while effectively managing a supply base that drives growth, value realization, and profitability across all Vertiv regions. They must possess extensive experience in logistics procurement within complex, multi-regional environments, demonstrating a proven track record of delivering global category strategies that enhance cost efficiencies, strengthen supplier relationships, and reposition how the organization contracts logistics.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Procurement: Collaborate closely with Vertiv business leaders to identify and source partners for logistics via complete, data driven category strategies, Category segmentation and supplier segmentation — ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.


• Supplier Program Management: Oversee the supplier segmentation program for all modes of logistics and services to ensure business continuity, optimal performance, and competitive pricing.


• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams in analyzing historical spend data, conducting market research, and employing cost modelling techniques to uncover high-value opportunities that drive innovation, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation across the logistics services portfolio.


• Cost Modelling: Establish comprehensive rate card benchmarking, total cost of engagement, and outcome-based pricing models for key categories, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs and procurement strategies.


• Sourcing Strategy Development: Create and implement effective sourcing, negotiation, and contracting strategies — including outcome-based, time-and-materials, and hybrid engagement models — to achieve desired outcomes consistent with global procurement category strategies.


• Strategic Leadership: Formulate and execute a robust procurement strategy for logistics services, enhancing operational efficiency and aligning with organizational goals — including repositioning how Vertiv contracts logistics as AI reshapes the market.


• Supplier Relationship Management: Identify, evaluate, and cultivate strategic partnerships with key professional services firms, ensuring high-quality, reliable, and competitively priced.


• Cost Efficiency Initiatives: Spearhead cost reduction initiatives and value analysis processes to optimize the total cost of engagement and maximize return on logistics investment.


• Risk Management: Conduct in-depth market analyses and risk assessments — including evaluation of AI-driven service delivery models — to proactively mitigate supply chain disruptions and ensure compliance with industry standards.


• Collaboration: Partner with operations, and business unit leaders to understand project requirements, ensuring seamless alignment on procurement timelines, specifications, and engagement governance.


• Standardization: Standardize tools, processes, and contracting frameworks for logistics services procurement — including statement of work templates, rate card governance, and vendor management system integration.


• Team Development: Mentor and lead a high-performing procurement team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional growth.


• Performance Measurement: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate procurement effectiveness, supplier performance, and engagement outcomes.


• Reporting: Prepare and present comprehensive reports to senior management on procurement performance, trends, and strategic insights to inform decision-making.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.


• Master's degree or relevant professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS, MCIPS) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 12 years in procurement or supply chain management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused logistics, corporate procurement, or supply chain management.


• Proven track record in developing and executing global category strategies that drive cost efficiencies and supplier performance across logistics categories.


• Deep understanding of logistics models, rate card structures, and the evolving impact of AI on services delivery.


• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.


• Track record of establishing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure procurement effectiveness and drive results.


• Key Skills & Core Competencies:


• Freight & Carrier Expertise: Deep knowledge of pricing models across multiple modes (TL, LTL, Ocean, Air, and Parcel).


• Strategic Sourcing: Expert-level capability in running large-scale RFPs, vendor evaluations, and contract drafting.


• Advanced Analytics: Proficiency in TMS (Transportation Management Systems), ERPs (like SAP or Oracle), and data tools (Power BI, Excel) to track KPIs and cost savings.


• Negotiation & Relationship Management: Strong ability to secure favorable contract terms while maintaining healthy partnerships with global logistics providers.

ANTICIPATED BUSINESS TRAVEL: ~30%

About Us

The successful candidate will embrace Vertiv’s Core Principles & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities.

OUR CORE PRINCIPLES

Safety. Integrity. Respect. Teamwork. Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• High-Performance Culture


• Customer Focus


• Operational Excellence


• Innovation


• Financial Strength

VERTIV BEHAVIORS

• Own it


• Act with urgency


• Foster a customer-first mindset


• Think big and execute


• Lead by example


• Drive continuous improvement


• Learn and seek out development


• Promote transparent & open communication

About Vertiv

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to enable its customers’ vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today’s data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extend from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, USA, Vertiv employs around 34,000 people and does business in more than 130 countries. Visit Vertiv.com to learn more.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, you can request help by sending an email to [e-mail]