Senior Category Manager

• Our client is seeking an experienced interim procurement/category management professional to take over a critical SAP commercial leadership role supporting its global Quantum transformation program. The role is focused on managing the client’s strategic commercial relationship with SAP rather than delivering the technical implementation itself.
• The immediate priority is replacing an individual leaving in late August, with an overlap period strongly preferred.
• Although initially a six-month interim assignment, the client expects the work to continue well beyond that and indicated there is a realistic possibility of extension or even a permanent opportunity.
• This is a highly visible, senior role supporting one of the client's largest global technology programs.

• Own the commercial relationship with SAP.
• Lead complex supplier negotiations.
• Manage strategic procurement and commercial governance.
• Protect the client's commercial position during the SAP S/4HANA transformation.
• Work closely with senior executives across the client.
• The role is not a technical SAP implementation position.

• Quantum is our client’s enterprise-wide transformation program implementing:
• SAP Rise
• SAP S/4HANA
• The program started approximately two years ago.
• Expected duration is around 10 years.
• One of the client’s largest and most complex global transformation initiatives.
• Covers every business area worldwide.
• Has executive visibility up to CEO level.

• 10+ years in Procurement / Category Management
• Technology procurement background
• Strong SAP commercial/negotiation experience
• Experience negotiating with SAP
• ERP sourcing experience
• Commercial management of enterprise software vendors
• Working independently
• Influencing senior executives
• Managing high-value strategic suppliers
• Operating comfortably in a complex global organization
• Enterprise ERP sourcing experience
• SAP S/4HANA (preferred)
• SAP Rise (preferred)
• Executive stakeholder management
• Complex supplier negotiations
• Strong commercial acumen
• Available within approximately 30 days
• Comfortable operating in a highly complex global organization

• Understanding SAP commercial models
• Licensing models
• Pricing mechanisms
• Enterprise software contracts
• Consumption models
• Commercial negotiations
• The emphasis is commercial, not technical.

• SAP S/4HANA
• SAP Rise
• Oracle ERP (acceptable alternative)
• Large ERP transformation programs
• Systems Integrator (SI) environments
• Integration partner experience is viewed positively.

• EVP-level executives
• SVPs
• Senior business leaders
• Although not expected to work directly with the CEO, the work has visibility at that level.

• Approximately three people in the ERP procurement area.
• Reporting structure is flexible.

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