Category Manager
Join Us
At Vodafone, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity for our customers – we’re shaping the future for everyone who joins our team. When you work with us, you’re part of a global mission to connect people, solve complex challenges, and create a sustainable and more inclusive world. If you want to grow your career whilst finding the perfect balance between work and life, Vodafone offers the opportunities to help you belong and make a real impact.
What you’ll do
Our purpose at Vodafone is to connect for a better future. At Vodafone Group, we partner with our local markets to drive consistency and earn customer loyalty across 20 countries for over 600 million customers. We are restless and passionate about creating a better future for all. We are always open to new things, and curious to create solutions that our customers will love. We are constantly learning to innovate the way we operate, set our global standards and to deliver on our strategy. Our ambition is to improve 1 billion lives and halve our environmental impact by 2025. It’s up to each of us to make this happen. Ready?
The Vodafone Procurement Company (VPC) in Luxembourg is part of Vodafone Group and drives our aspiration to connect for a better future. We purchase products and services from across the globe to help run our business at its very best. We support our people to deliver on our strategy and be a brand loved by our customers, communities, co-partners and colleagues. We give and take ownership to make the most of our many talents and we are always learning to grow ourselves and our business. We get it done, together. Aspiring to be a brand our customers love, we think big, take risks and are always curious to learn. Are you?
As a Category Manager Mobile Private Networks (MPN) - Network Revenue Platforms, you will be responsible for the definition, sign-off and execution of the Category Strategy and the management & delivery of relevant projects in various Local Markets & Partner Markets. You will lead the negotiation of relevant projects and contract renewals/amendments and establish yourself as a recognised VPC domain expert interacting with local teams & stakeholders. With the team you will deliver innovative commercial models, contributing to the category supplier roadmap and ensuring that longer term sourcing decisions are considered during category development
- Lead RFQs, negotiations and conclusion of contracts with suppliers over major deals working with Legal and internal stakeholders to ensure business requirements are met
- Proactively drive enforcement of category strategies, identify and realise savings opportunities by working with Vodafone’s management, key stakeholders and suppliers
- Build and maintain a strong partnership with senior stakeholders, relevant policy owners and the community at a group and local market level to ensure continuous alignment to objectives
- Develop and improve innovative commercial models and solutions for 3rd party customers
- Investigate and drive performance improvements on specific opportunities identified within the category with the support of SPM as required
- Input into reporting against targets as defined by overall SCM goals and objectives
- Challenge current business thinking of requirements and how those requirements can be presented to Suppliers to Vodafone’s advantage
- Manage and ensure the use of Supply Chain tools, processes, policies and standards
- Support the wider Core, Transmission & Software team to ensure success is recognised and develop a strong customer focus
Who you are
- University degree, superior technical degree would be valuable
- Solid experience in Telecoms industry with procurement experience
- Track record of delivering against challenging targets and of successful teamwork with virtual teams in cross cultural environment
- Well-developed written and verbal communication and executive presentation skills
- Proven data analysis capabilities
- Effective engagement with key stakeholders and ability to communicate and present at senior management level
- Customer obsessed, innovation hungry approach and embody behaviours of Speed, Simplicity and Trust
- Experience of working within procurement either at global or local level, technical knowledge of networks & services and possess ability to recommend/drive category transformation
- Business level proficiency in written and spoken English
- Technical and or commercial experience of MPN and or Mobile Core Network and or Enterprise solutions
- Strong commercial and negotiation skills in relation to multi-year agreements
- Strong contracting skills – both for initial agreement and ongoing management
- Leadership and teamwork, key focus on collaboration of virtual teams
- Business acumen; know the industry, market, practices and trends
Not a perfect fit?
Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about empowering people and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to still apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another opportunity.
What's in it for you
We want you to feel happy and fulfilled at work, without compromising the other things in life that matter to you. Here are some of the ways we support this:
Generous Annual Leave
• 28 days of annual leave, with the option to buy an additional 5 days and the opportunity to carry over 5 days per year
• 1 additional day (Family Day) for personal milestones or special occasions
• 11 public holidays to enjoy time with family and friends
• 5 charity days per year to give back to the community
Flexible Work Arrangements
• Flexible working schedule to help you balance your professional and personal life
• 20 days to work from abroad, allowing you to combine work with travel and new experiences
Comprehensive Health and Wellness
• Lunch vouchers to support your midday meals
• Access to private AXA health insurance and a robust pension scheme to secure your health and future
Continuous Learning and Development
• Access to Vodafone University and online training resources to help you grow your skills and advance your career
Who we are
We are a leading international Telco, serving millions of customers. At Vodafone, we believe that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people's lives and the world around us. Through our technology we empower people, connecting everyone regardless of who they are or where they live and we protect the planet, whilst helping our customers do the same.
Belonging at Vodafone isn't a concept; it's lived, breathed, and cultivated through everything we do. You'll be part of a global and diverse community, with many different minds, abilities, backgrounds and cultures. ;We're committed to increase diversity, ensure equal representation, and make Vodafone a place everyone feels safe, valued and included.
If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, please refer to https://careers.vodafone.com/application-adjustments/ for guidance.
Together we can.