Global Category Manager Travel, Fleet and HR

UNAVAILABLE; Hoofddorp; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Pension

30 days leave

Health allowance

Gym discounts

Job summary

Danone is seeking a Global Category Manager to lead the Travel, Fleet and Compensation & Benefits procurement strategy on a global scale. You will shape category roadmaps and drive performance across International Mobility and Learning spend, partnering with HR, Finance, and regional teams.

You will manage spend over €500k and lead negotiations, governance and process improvements in a fast-paced, international matrix environment.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in indirect procurement or category management.
• Experience in Travel, Fleet, HR, Compensation & Benefits, or related indirect spend categories.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including working with senior leaders.
• Structured governance mindset with ability to create alignment and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute global category strategies for Travel, Fleet, Compensation & Benefits, International Mobility, and Learning spend.
• Drive sourcing projects, supplier selection, negotiations, and contract management.
• Build partnerships with global and local stakeholders in a complex matrix organization.
• Lead cost optimization and productivity initiatives with focus on quality, compliance, and risk management.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Stakeholder mgmt

Analytics

Transformation leadership

Global/matrix environment

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

AI analytics tools

Job description

Short Intro and About the Job

Hoofddorp/Hybrid

As Global Category Manager for Travel, Fleet & Compensation & Benefits, you will lead the global procurement strategy across a diverse and high-impact portfolio: Travel, Fleet and Compensation & Benefits, International Mobility and Learning.

Working closely with Global HR, Finance, Procurement teams, and regional stakeholders, you will shape category roadmaps, drive business performance, and support the transformation of complex, high-visibility spend areas. You will manage spend over € 500k.

In this role, you will:

• Define and execute global category strategies for Travel, Fleet, Compensation & Benefits, International Mobility, and Learning-related spend.
• Drive sourcing projects, supplier selection, negotiations, and contract management to deliver sustainable value and business impact.
• Build strong partnerships with global and local stakeholders, influencing decisions and aligning priorities across a complex matrix organization.
• Monitor supplier performance, identify innovation opportunities, and foster continuous improvement.
• Lead cost optimization and productivity initiatives while ensuring quality, compliance, and risk management.
• Promote procurement best practices, governance, and process excellence across the organization.
• Coordinate and develop a global network of procurement professionals supporting the categories in scope.

Meet your future manager! You will report to Monique Beerends, Global Sourcing Manager Travel, Fleet & Compensation & Benefits. More info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquebeerends/

About You

You are a strategic procurement professional who enjoys transforming complexity into clarity. You are comfortable operating in a global environment, influencing senior stakeholders, and driving change across multiple functions and geographies.

You bring:

• At least 5 years of experience in indirect procurement or category management.
• Experience within Travel, Fleet, HR, Compensation & Benefits, Professional Services, or similar indirect spend categories.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including working with senior leaders.
• A structured, governance-oriented mindset with the ability to create alignment and accountability.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capabilities.
• Experience leading transformation initiatives and delivering measurable business results.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, international, and matrixed environment.
• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Fluency in English.

Key skills&competencies:

• Highly collaborative with the ability to work effectively with multiple teams and cultures, and to engage and challenge higher business stakeholders.
• Innovative and proactive in problem-solving and solution implementation.
• Strategic mindset and the ability to see the big picture.
• Strong getting things done mentality and strong networker.
• Forward and strategic thinker to influence user-centric design.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across seniority levels, to attract, mentor, and inspire talents.
• Ability to challenge the status quo, strive for continuous improvement.
• Proficient in leveraging AI-powered analytics tools to enhance procurement insights and decision-making.

About Us, We offer and What's next

At Danone we are committed to our mission "bringing health, through food to as many people as possible". Working together to make sure that our brands, like Hipro, Nutricia, Alpro, Activia, Nutrilon and Evian, create real benefits for people, communities and the planet. You will be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world.

Cycles & Procurement is right at the heart of making the Danone vision One Planet. Through what and how we source, we shape the world in which we operate & we build the future for Danone. With our Cycles we protect and secure our key resources (Milk, Water and Plastic) & we take a strategic approach to Procurement to support the business and social agenda of Danone. We secure competitive, sustainable resources, seek innovative solutions, and partner up with suppliers aligned to our vision.

We offer:

• All Danoners receive a comprehensive benefits package, including a yearly bonus, a premium-free pension, 30 days of annual leave with the option to purchase more, and a monthly healthcare allowance.
• We also support your wellbeing through gym discounts and initiatives focused on physical, mental, and financial health.

The salary range for this role is € 90.000- €110.000 gross annually (including 8% holiday allowance). Your final offer will reflect your skills and experience while also ensuring alignment with our internal equity and salary framework.

Need more information? Please contact Anna Anitova, Senior Talent Manager [e-mail]

* all applications will be considered for a vacancy without discrimination based on ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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