Category Specialist, Networks (12 month Fixed Term Contract)

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

At Vodafone, we are committed to building a more connected and sustainable world. As a Category Specialist within our Network Access procurement team, you will play a key role in supporting the sourcing and management of Passive Radio equipment—critical infrastructure that enables our mobile networks to operate efficiently across global markets. This role is ideal for someone early in their career who is eager to develop expertise in procurement within the telecommunications industry.

In this position, you will contribute to the development and execution of procurement strategies for Passive Radio categories, such as towers, antennas, and related infrastructure. You will assist in managing supplier relationships and support commercial negotiations to ensure Vodafone secures the best value while meeting technical and operational requirements. Working closely with both global and local stakeholders, you will help align procurement activities with business goals and ensure that project timelines and cost targets are met.

You will also be involved in tracking supplier performance and supporting the implementation of purchasing catalogues across Vodafone markets. This includes collaborating with the Operations team to ensure that procurement tools and systems are up to date and functioning effectively. Additionally, you will conduct market research and data analysis to identify trends, benchmark pricing, and support decision-making processes. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, international environment while learning from experienced professionals and contributing to impactful projects.

Who you are

• Growth-Oriented Mindset: You’re naturally curious and eager to learn. Whether you're just starting out or looking to build on early experience, you’re proactive about your development and excited to grow within a global procurement environment that values innovation and continuous improvement.
• Commercial Awareness: You have a foundational understanding of procurement or supply chain principles and are motivated to deepen your knowledge. You’re interested in how commercial decisions are made and keen to develop skills in negotiation, supplier engagement, and cost optimization.
• Analytical Thinking: You enjoy working with data and uncovering insights that drive smarter decisions. Whether it’s through research, reporting, or benchmarking, you’re comfortable interpreting information and using it to support your team’s goals.
• Team Collaboration & Communication: You thrive in collaborative environments and communicate clearly with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. You’re a team player who values shared success and can adapt your communication style to different audiences and situations.
• Structured & Detail-Oriented: You’re organized, reliable, and able to manage multiple tasks and timelines effectively. You take pride in your attention to detail and ensure that your work is accurate, thorough, and aligned with expectations.
• Educational Background: You hold a degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field. We also welcome candidates with equivalent practical experience who are eager to grow in a procurement-focused role.
• Early Career Experience: You may have completed internships or held junior roles in procurement, supply chain, or commercial environments. Any hands-on exposure to supplier engagement, sourcing, or contract support will be a strong advantage.
• Technical & Digital Skills: You’re confident using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint to analyse data and present insights. Familiarity with procurement platforms like SAP Ariba or similar tools is a bonus, but not required—we’ll help you learn.
• Communication & Language Skills: You have strong written and verbal communication skills in English, enabling you to collaborate effectively across teams. Additional language skills are a plus and can be especially valuable in our international environment.

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.