Global Procurement Manager, Fibre & Fixed Access with German

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

Are you ready to take on a dynamic and impactful role in global category management? As a Category Manager Fibre & Fixed Access, you will be at the forefront of managing fibre civil works services (build/rent) within the Access team of VPC Networks. This is your chance to lead end-to-end tendering processes, drive complex contract negotiations, and collaborate with executive senior stakeholders to shape the future of our procurement strategy.

In this role, you will manage the vendor selection process and provide strategic recommendations to senior management. You will build and execute commercial and contractual negotiations, creating significant savings and value. By implementing and continuously improving our procurement strategy, you will bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table. You will foster strong relationships with suppliers, vendors, and external stakeholders, as well as key internal stakeholders in local markets and the group. Acting as a leader, escalation point, and focal point for all category-related activities, you will also have the opportunity to travel and visit our operating companies to ensure seamless collaboration and execution.

Your contributions will directly influence our procurement strategy and drive positive change within the organization. You will work closely with group and local legal, finance, and technology departments to achieve common goals. Take advantage of opportunities for professional development and career advancement within a global company. Be part of a team that values innovation and encourages new ideas to improve processes and outcomes.

Who you are

• Industry Knowledge: Technical knowledge of fibre services, the telecommunication industry, and construction is important. This expertise will enable you to understand the specific requirements and challenges of the role.
• Supply Chain and Project Management: Experience in supply chain management and project management, particularly in the tender process, is essential. This includes overseeing the procurement of goods and services, managing timelines, and ensuring that projects are completed efficiently.
• International Management: You should have the ability to effectively manage an international, functional matrix environment, even when faced with a certain degree of ambiguity. This means being comfortable working across different countries and cultures, and being able to navigate complex organizational structures.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation skills in sales or procurement are required. You should be able to negotiate commercial deals and contracts effectively in both English and German, ensuring favorable terms for the organization.
• Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical skills are crucial for interpreting data and making informed decisions. 
• Leadership: Proven lateral leadership skills are highly valued. This involves leading and influencing others without direct authority, fostering collaboration, and driving initiatives forward.
• Communication Skills: Well-developed written and verbal communication skills are essential for working independently in a fast-paced, multi-national, and multi-cultural environment. 
• Relationship Building: The ability to manage a wide range of strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers is crucial. This involves building trust, fostering collaboration, and maintaining positive interactions.
• Result-Oriented: A result-oriented mindset with a focus on closing projects and driving success is key. You should be determined, goal-oriented, and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes.
• Multilingual Proficiency: Fluency in English (spoken and written) and advanced/fluent proficiency in German.
• Educational Background: A university degree is required, with a preference for candidates who hold a master's degree. This educational foundation will support your ability to understand and manage the complexities of the role.

Not a perfect fit?

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about Inclusion for All 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 apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.

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:

Annual Discretionary Bonus
•    Rewarding your hard work and dedication
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

You may have already heard of Vodafone - We're a leading Telecommunications company in Europe and Africa. But what you might not know is that we are continuously investing in new technologies to improve the lives of millions of customers, businesses and people around the world, creating a better future for everyone.

As part of our global family, whether that's Vodafone, Vodacom or _VOIS, you'll feel a sense of pride and purpose as you contribute to our culture of innovation. We pursue equality of opportunity and inclusion for all candidates through our employment policies and practices. We recognise and celebrate the importance of diversity and inclusivity in our workspace and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination especially related to but not limited to race, colour, age, veteran status, gender identification, sexual orientation, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, religion, political affiliation, trade union membership, nationality, indigenous status, medical condition, HIV status, social origin, cultural background, social, or marital status.

Together we can