Senior Category Manager

Prada Group; Lombardia; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Prada Group is seeking a Category Manager to lead indirect spend across Construction & Architecture and Logistics. You will drive sourcing strategies, manage a multi-country spend, and partner with stakeholders to optimize value while protecting the group from supplier risks.

You will lead a cross-regional procurement team, drive e-Sourcing and analytics, and steward cost-saving initiatives within a centralized function overseeing €400M+ spend and 14,000+ suppliers.

Qualifications

• Degree in Economics, Management Engineering, Supply Chain or a related field; certifications such as CIPS, CPSM or PMP are a plus.
• 10+ years in Procurement / Strategic Sourcing with focus on indirect spend, Construction & Architecture and/or Logistics categories.
• Proven experience leading international teams in complex, matrix organizations and post-merger integrations.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute sourcing strategies for Construction & Architecture and Logistics across multiple countries.
• Lead full RFI/RFP/RFQ cycles through negotiation and contracting.
• Build relationships with Business owners and ensure qualified suppliers enter the spend base.
• Lead procurement workstreams in post-acquisition integrations and harmonize contracts.
• Drive e-Sourcing, e-Procurement and spend analytics initiatives on Ivalua, including AI tools and governance.
• Contribute to budget and report savings, cost avoidance and supplier quality with a cross-regional team of 4+.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Strategic sourcing

Global team leadership

Spend analytics

P2P/process optimization

Education

Economics/Management degree

Tools

Ivalua

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Founded in 1913 in Italy, the Prada Group was built on a tradition of excellence and with a vision of innovation. The Group, a world leader in the luxury sector, operates in more than 45 countries with the PRADA, Miu Miu, Versace, Church’s, Car Shoe and Luna Rossa brands, and has employees of over 100 nationalities.

Job Purpose

We are looking for a Category Manager to lead the strategic and operational management of indirect spend, with primary ownership of the Construction & Architecture and Logistics categories across multiple countries. You will drive value creation and cost optimization, act as a trusted business partner to internal stakeholders, and contribute to leading an international team through a structured, transparent, results-driven procurement process.

Within a centralized Procurement function that orchestrates a decentralized spend of €400M+ across 14,000+ suppliers, your mission is to scout the best the external market has to offer and bring it into the Group, while protecting the company from supplier-related risks.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute sourcing strategies for Construction & Architecture and Logistics, orchestrating a decentralized spend across countries and business units in alignment with the Group's indirect procurement strategy.
• Build deep knowledge of category markets and cost drivers; scout new suppliers and solutions; run benchmarking and TCO assessments; manage the full RFI/RFP/RFQ cycle through to negotiation and contracting.
• Build strong relationships with Business owners, aligning stakeholders on priorities, specifications and supplier selection, while ensuring that only qualified, reliable suppliers enter the Group's supply base.
• Lead procurement workstreams in post-acquisition integrations — supplier base rationalization, contract harmonization and cost synergies.
• Drive e-Sourcing, e-Procurement, contract management and spend analytics initiatives on Ivalua, including AI and workflow automation, while ensuring data quality and governance.
• Contribute to the annual budget and report results to senior management (savings, cost avoidance, compliance, supplier quality); contribute to building and managing a cross-regional team of 4+ people, with both direct and functional reporting lines.

Knowledge and Skills

• Degree in Economics, Management Engineering, Supply Chain or a related field; CIPS, CPSM or PMP certification is a plus.
• 10+ years in Procurement / Strategic Sourcing with a strong focus on indirect spend, including solid expertise in Construction & Architecture and/or Logistics categories and their market dynamics.
• Proven experience leading international teams in complex, matrix organizations and hands-on experience in post-merger integration projects.
• Hands-on experience with Ivalua is mandatory; strong knowledge of spend analytics and P2P processes; advanced Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with Microsoft Copilot or similar AI tools.
• Fluent English; additional languages are a plus.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, analytical mindset and excellent communication with C-suite stakeholders; curious and proactive, with the ability to scan the market and identify new opportunities.

Joining our Company

Joining our Company means working in a creative and international environment, with teams of people motivated by curiosity and the quest for excellence. The engine of our success is the importance and value that we place on the talent and passion of our people leading to their own professional growth.
Prada Group promotes an inclusive work environment, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics. We believe that diversity is a value and we are committed to build a fair and respectful workplace for all.

RAL: 80.000 - 90.000 Annual Salary Gross