Category Manager

As a Category Manager, you will be responsible for driving the strategic sourcing and commercial management of third-party software and associated services within Nokia's Software & Data Server Hardware category. You will partner closely with business stakeholders, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to develop sourcing strategies, optimize supplier performance, and secure competitive commercial outcomes. The role requires a strong understanding of software procurement models, contract management, supplier negotiations, and cost competitiveness. You will play a key role in delivering business value while ensuring compliance, governance, and sustainable sourcing practices across the supplier ecosystem.

• Develop and execute category strategies, sourcing roadmaps, and supplier portfolio plans aligned with business objectives and market dynamics.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFx processes, supplier identification, evaluation, selection, and onboarding in accordance with Nokia sourcing policies.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, licensing models, pricing structures, and contractual terms to maximize value and mitigate business risks.
• Drive cost competitiveness through market intelligence, cost analysis, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, monitor performance, and implement continuous improvement and corrective action plans where required.
• Optimize the utilization of preferred suppliers by balancing cost, quality, innovation, service levels, delivery capabilities, and business requirements.
• Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, ensuring sourcing decisions support customer commitments, business priorities, and operational requirements.
• Contribute to the enhancement of sourcing processes, tools, governance frameworks, and best practices to improve efficiency and procurement effectiveness.

Must Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
• 10 years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing, category management, contract management, and commercial negotiations.
• Experience in software sourcing, software licensing models, SaaS, cloud services, or related commercial frameworks.
• Proven stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills with the ability to collaborate across global and cross-functional teams.
• Proven analytical capabilities with experience in cost modeling, pricing analysis, supplier evaluation, and negotiation planning.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment while maintaining a strong focus on compliance, governance, and business outcomes.
• Familiar with supplier relationship management (SRM), procurement best practices, and category management methodologies.

• Experience working in a global matrix organization with exposure to cross-cultural stakeholder and supplier management.

  Nice to Have:

• Familiarity with procurement platforms, Microsoft Office tools, data analytics, and AI-enabled sourcing solutions.