Group Category Manager - IT Infrastructure & Telecommunications

The Group Category Manager - IT Infrastructure & Telecommunications is responsible for defining and executing category and sourcing strategies across infrastructure, connectivity, network, hosting, telecommunications and related technology services. The role drives commercial value, supplier performance, innovation and risk mitigation while ensuring alignment with Group IT and business stakeholders and compliance with procurement governance and standards. The role leads complex sourcing initiatives, manages key supplier relationships and delivers sustainable value through effective category management, commercial excellence and supplier governance.

The candidate will be accountable for the procurement strategy, supplier management and commercial performance of Group-wide IT Infrastructure & Telecommunications categories, including Infrastructure & Telecom services, Hardware, Cloud & Hosting solutions, and System Software. Responsible for delivering business value through strategic sourcing, supplier management, commercial optimization and effective category governance.

Key responsibilities of the role will include:

Category Strategy & Planning

• Define and execute category strategies aligned with business priorities, technology roadmaps and procurement objectives.
• Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities and industry developments to identify opportunities, risks and innovation drivers.
• Develop and maintain multi-year sourcing and category management plans.
• Drive standardization, consolidation and optimization initiatives across the assigned categories.
• Contribute to the evolution of the technology ecosystem through proactive market intelligence and supplier engagement.
• Drive standardization, consolidation and optimization initiatives across the assigned categories.
• Contribute to the evolution of the technology ecosystem through proactive market intelligence and supplier engagement.

Strategic Sourcing

• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including RFI, RFQ and RFP processes, ensuring alignment with business objectives and procurement governance.
• Develop sourcing strategies and business cases that optimize total cost of ownership (TCO), service quality, risk profile and long-term value.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities, commercial proposals, technology roadmaps and contractual frameworks to support informed supplier selection decisions.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and secure competitive commercial terms, service levels and contractual conditions.
• Drive supplier consolidation and rationalization initiatives where appropriate to improve efficiency, standardization and value creation.
• Partner with IT and business stakeholders to support strategic programs, technology transformation initiatives and major investment decisions.
• Ensure sourcing decisions balance commercial, operational, technological, security and regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Group IT, business stakeholders and key corporate functions to ensure alignment between procurement objectives and business priorities.
• Act as the primary procurement point of contact for the assigned categories, providing guidance on sourcing strategies, supplier selection and commercial considerations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements, technology roadmaps and investment plans, translating them into effective procurement strategies.
• Facilitate decision-making through market insights, commercial recommendations and risk assessments.
• Support strategic initiatives and transformation programs by ensuring timely procurement engagement and delivery.
• Influence stakeholders at different organizational levels to drive adoption of category strategies, sourcing decisions and procurement best practices.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to maximize business value and support organizational objectives.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance requirements and applicable regulatory standards.
• Assess and mitigate supplier-related risks, including operational, financial, cybersecurity and business continuity risks.
• Support supplier due diligence, risk assessment and audit activities in collaboration with relevant control functions.
• Ensure sourcing and supplier management decisions align with legal, security and compliance requirements.
• Promote responsible procurement practices and adherence to company standards across the assigned categories.

Financial & Performance Management

• Deliver savings, cost optimization and value creation targets across the assigned categories, ensuring sustainable financial benefits for the organization.
• Monitor category spend, demand trends and market dynamics to identify opportunities for efficiency, optimization and business value generation.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities related to the assigned categories and sourcing initiatives.
• Define, monitor and report category performance indicators, ensuring achievement of agreed objectives and value realization targets.
• Leverage data, market intelligence and performance analytics to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement of procurement outcomes.

Functional:

• Experience with procurement of IT Infrastructure & Telecom services, Hardware, Cloud & Hosting solutions, and System Software (Highly desired)
• University level degree or comparable
• Consultative skills and ability to interact at senior level within Generali and within the Industry.

Professional/Managerial:

• Problem-solving and analytical skillset
• Communication skills and ability to manage a wide array of different stakeholders
• Strong operational focus, ability to drive topics and deliver results even under pressure and time constraints
• Fluent English, another European language is a plus.

Behavioral:

• An untarnished reputation for integrity.
• Proactivity and enthusiasm, with a “hands-on” approach
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to effectively influence, persuade across geographies, cultures, markets and levels of seniority.
• A global mindset
• Passionate
• A “quality-driven” individual
• Embraces change and motivates and engages relevant stakeholders.

Generali Operations Service Platform S.r.l