Category Manager - Software

Job Description

Category Manager – Software, Technology Procurement

Maersk is a global leader in integrated logistics and has been an industry pioneer for over a century. Through innovation and transformation, we are redefining the boundaries of possibility, continuously setting new standards for efficiency, sustainability, and excellence.

There is now an opportunity within our Technology Procurement team to join Maersk as Category Manager within the Software category.

Technology is a key contributor and enabler to the overall success of the Maersk strategy to become the global integrator of container logistics, connecting and simplifying our customers’ supply chains.

In the Technology Procurement team, we work as a trusted partner, contributing to the Maersk strategy by procuring and managing technology suppliers.

The Technology Procurement function sits in Corporate Procurement and operates with a category management approach, where you will work with sourcing, supplier management, and contract lifecycle activities within the Software category.

We Offer

You will be a part of a Global Technology Procurement team working closely with stakeholders across all departments and geographies and liaising with IT suppliers globally. Our team offers great diversity in nationalities, gender and cultural backgrounds, and we highly value team collaboration and personal development to ensure our team together lifts the bar in providing best-in-class procurement services to the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Your primary responsibility as Category Manager – Software is to execute strategic sourcing projects and category management activities in collaboration with Technology stakeholders and ensure effective implementation of the category strategy that aligns with Technology’s overall direction and objectives.

You will be expected to understand business needs, qualify requirements, assess business cases, evaluate supplier and market options, and provide clear commercial recommendations based on value, risk, total cost of ownership, and business impact.

• Conduct spend analysis to identify cost drivers and opportunities to make the Software category more cost effective for Maersk.
• Conduct in-depth market and supplier research and analysis, including identification and engagement of new suppliers in support of technology requirements.
• Partner with Technology and Business stakeholders to understand needs and requirements, build trusting partnerships, influence and challenge the status quo, and drive compliance and adoption of procurement policies.
• Translate stakeholder needs into sourcing strategies and commercial recommendations that balance cost, quality, risk, innovation, supplier performance, and business value.
• Execute strategic sourcing activities, including demand clarification, supplier evaluation, tendering, negotiation, contracting, and implementation.
• Collaborate with suppliers on innovation, cost and process improvements to make Maersk’s business more commercially attractive.
• Support the execution of category plans, including opportunity pipeline development, supplier segmentation, market insights, and value creation initiatives.

Who We Are Looking For

• Minimum 10 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or a related commercial role, including minimum 5 years within IT procurement.
• Experience with software procurement, including software licensing, SaaS, enterprise agreements, renewals, usage-based pricing, and relevant contractual terms.
• Experience executing strategic sourcing processes, including requirement clarification, market engagement, supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, and implementation.
• Experience with category management activities such as spend analysis, market research, supplier segmentation, opportunity identification, and category planning.
• Ability to understand business needs and business cases, challenge requirements constructively, and provide clear procurement recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust, influence decisions, and engage stakeholders across different levels of seniority.
• Strong analytical, commercial, and negotiation skills, with the ability to balance cost, risk, supplier performance, contractual terms, and business value.
• Strong written, oral, and formal communication skills in English.
• Structured way of working, with the ability to manage deadlines, priorities, and multiple sourcing activities in parallel.
• A collaborative mindset and motivation to contribute to a high-performing global procurement team.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing accommodationrequests@maersk.com.