Lead Category Manager Procurement (m/f/d)

Your role

As Lead Category Manager, you will take commercial responsibility for selected procurement categories across the CTS EVENTIM Group. You will develop category strategies, lead complex sourcing initiatives and negotiations, and work closely with business units and subsidiaries to identify opportunities and create measurable value.

You will play an active role in building a strategic global procurement function and translating its objectives into effective agreements, transparent business cases and strong supplier relationships.

Your responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business requirements, market developments and the Group’s objectives.
• Lead sourcing initiatives end to end, from demand analysis and supplier selection through to negotiations, contracting and implementation.
• Identify and consolidate demand across business units, brands and subsidiaries to create Group-wide opportunities.
• Analyse supplier markets, pricing models and cost drivers, and assess alternative solutions.
• Prepare and manage total cost of ownership analyses, benchmarks and commercial business cases.
• Negotiate contracts covering pricing, service levels, performance, flexibility and commercial risk.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships and monitor performance, contractual commitments and improvement opportunities.
• Identify, validate and report savings and other value contributions in line with the agreed methodology.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to challenge requirements constructively, evaluate alternatives and support informed commercial decisions.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, approval requirements and the four-eyes principle.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of procurement processes, tools, data quality and reporting.
• Share category and negotiation expertise and support the development of colleagues across the procurement team.

Your profile

• Several years of relevant experience in strategic procurement, category management, sourcing or commercial negotiations.
• A proven track record of independently leading complex negotiations and delivering measurable commercial results.
• Experience in one or more relevant categories, such as IT and technology, professional services, marketing, venue operations or equipment.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence in working with cost models, business cases and supplier proposals.
• The ability to understand business requirements, challenge assumptions constructively and develop practical solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence decisions across functions and levels of seniority.
• Commercial judgment, a strong sense of ownership and a structured, results-oriented approach.
• Experience working across countries, business units or legal entities is an advantage.
• Fluent English; German is an advantage.
• A relevant university degree or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• 30 days of paid vacation plus the option of up to 15 days of unpaid leave
• 25 days of workation within the EU
• Flexible working hours
• Sofa Concerts and employee events
• Discounts on ticket purchases & opportunities for clearing assignments
• Corporate benefits and discounts at KESS
• Central location & subsidy for a Job Ticket or Germany Ticket
• Bike leasing
• Mental health program & company pension scheme
• “GoFluent” language learning platform as well as Lunch & Learn sessions

We value diversity and treat all applications equally - regardless of gender, background, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Different perspectives enrich our team and make EVENTIM stronger.