European IT Category Manager Software (m/f/d)

29 countries. Around 49,000 colleagues. 70,000 pharmacies supplied and millions of patients: Join PHOENIX! Support us in supplying the people of Europe with medicines and healthcare products quickly and reliably - and experience a job that is as diverse as it is important. Where you can proactively master challenges, implement ideas and drive change. Look forward to pure variety at a successful, future-proof family company, the market-leading pharmaceutical wholesaler in Germany and at the same time the best integrated healthcare provider in Europe.

We are looking for an European IT Category Manager Software (m/f/d) in our Corporate General Procurement function.

Your Tasks

• Development and execution of a European category strategy for Software, SaaS, Cloud, and Digital Solutions
• Management of strategic sourcing initiatives and RFx processes across the PHOENIX Group
• Leading complex commercial negotiations with global software vendors and cloud providers
• Identification of cost optimization opportunities, demand consolidation potential, and supplier rationalization initiatives
• Market intelligence and benchmarking of software vendors, licensing models, emerging technologies, and industry trends
• Close collaboration with IT Architecture, Cyber Security, Digital, Finance, Data Protection, and Legal teams
• Development and implementation of negotiation strategies for strategic vendors such as Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Adobe, ServiceNow and other key software providers
• Contract lifecycle support, including commercial risk management, renewals, audits, compliance, and governance activities
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives within software procurement and supplier management processes
• Acting as the company's subject matter expert for software procurement and licensing topics

Your Profile

• University degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Business Informatics, Procurement, or a comparable qualification
• Extensive professional experience in Software Procurement, IT Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, or Software Asset Management
• Deep expertise in software licensing models including SaaS, Subscription, Enterprise Agreements, Consumption-Based Models, Cloud Services, and Hybrid Licensing Structures
• Proven track record in negotiating complex multi-million Euro software and cloud agreements on an international level
• Strong understanding of software vendor ecosystems and market dynamics
• Experience with software compliance, licensing metrics, software audits, and commercial governance
• Excellent stakeholder management skills across senior business and IT leadership levels
• Strong analytical capabilities combined with commercial acumen
• High degree of autonomy, personal ownership, and execution strength
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and influencing skills
• Experience with Source-to-Pay platforms and strategic procurement tools
• Fluent English skills; German language skills are an advantage