Global Category Manager (f/m/d) - Construction

Job Description

We help the world run better
At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We're builders touching over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce, and we need your unique talents to help shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong. What's in it for you? Constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed.

About the role:

As the Global Category Manager (f/m/d) for Construction within Global Real Estate & Facility Procurement, you will play a pivotal role to facilitate SAP employees’ productivity and to contribute to the corresponding Location strategy. It is one of the most critical areas to enable SAP’s growth. Operating with a truly global remit, you will lead high‑complexity, cross‑regional strategic initiatives and define the long‑term vendor and sourcing strategy for your category.

You will own and drive the global Construction category strategy - establishing the vendor landscape, building global sourcing frameworks, and implementing robust governance structures that ensure consistency, transparency, and sustainable value delivery. Your leadership will be instrumental in elevating Procurement’s strategic contribution to the business, ensuring both control and agility in how the category is managed.

In close partnership with senior Real Estate & Facility stakeholders, you will position Procurement as a trusted strategic advisor. You will help transform how Construction Projects are planned, sourced, and executed across the organization—bringing forward more integrated, data‑driven, and scalable ways of working.

As a central connector across regions, you will provide functional leadership to regional procurement teams, ensuring alignment with global priorities while supporting regional needs. You will also champion the use of data, digital tools, and AI‑enabled capabilities to modernize the category, increase visibility, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and long‑term value creation.

What you’ll build:

Strategic Leadership & Value Delivery:

• Define and execute the global Construction category strategy in close collaboration with senior stakeholders, including roadmaps aligned with project schedules, market dynamics, and risk appetite aligned with overall business objectives
• Identify, deliver, and track sustainable financial value and long‑term impact across the category
• Own end-to-end category performance across demand management, sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance
• Lead global, high‑complexity procurement initiatives across Construction spend
  
  

Category Management & Procurement Excellence:

• Run high‑value eRFX processes and lead complex commercial and contractual negotiations to secure competitive and future‑proof agreements
• Perform market analysis, should-cost modelling, and total cost of ownership (TCO) assessments
• Select contracting approaches fit for purpose (e.g., lump sum, unit price, framework agreements)
• Establish and oversee robust governance structures to drive alignment, transparency, and consistent, sustainable outcomes

Collaboration, Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Provide functional leadership and guidance to teams, fostering strong collaboration, capability development, and best‑practice sharing
• Partner closely with senior business stakeholders, offering strategic procurement insight, advisory support, and category expertise to shape decision‑making
• Manage interface/ collaboration with the sourcing excellence team and broader stakeholder alignment to synchronize scope, schedule, budget, and risk
  
  

Digital Enablement & Insight‑Driven Performance:

• Leverage data, analytics, and digital tools—including AI‑driven innovations—to enhance visibility, performance management, and category decision‑making
• Track category performance via dashboards and drive continuous improvement
  
  

Vendor Strategy, Innovation & Responsible Sourcing

• Build and lead strategic partnerships with key vendors, using insights and SRM practices to drive innovation, challenge the status quo, and unlock long‑term value
• Oversee vendor performance across value, quality, and ESG dimensions, ensuring responsible sourcing, continuous improvement, and alignment with sustainability and business priorities
• Ensure compliance across the Source-to-Pay process and applicable procurement policies

Sustainability (ESG) & Real-World Impact

• Define and implement category ESG strategies, translating corporate targets into actionable procurement measures
• Identify and drive Real World Measures (e.g., CO₂ reduction, sustainable event formats, supplier transparency)
• Own ESG performance, including baseline definition and tracking with Controlling, Sustainability, and Audit
• Lead supplier ESG programs (engagement, capability building, performance improvement)
• Embed sustainability criteria into sourcing and supplier decisions to deliver measurable impact

What you bring:

Required experience & qualifications

Experience & Expertise:

• 8+ years of strategic procurement experience, including the design and execution of complex sourcing strategies and high‑value, multi‑market negotiations
• Strong background in Construction Procurement
• Proven track record in developing and implementing global category strategies within complex, multinational environments
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑regional and cross‑functional collaboration, aligning diverse business priorities, and driving unified outcomes
  
  

Leadership & Stakeholder Management:

• Strong leadership presence with excellent communication, advisory, and influencing skills
• Ability to effectively engage, challenge, and align senior stakeholders across functions and geographies
• Experience building and operationalizing governance structures and operating models that ensure accountability, transparency, and sustainable results
  
  

Digital, Analytical & Transformation Capabilities:

• Strong proficiency in leveraging data, analytics, and digital tools to generate actionable insights and performance improvements
• Experience implementing strategic meetings management solutions and relevant technology platforms in cross‑functional setups
• Interest and practical experience in AI‑enabled procurement, automation, and broader digital transformation initiatives
  
  

Qualifications:

• University degree preferably in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or equivalent work experience
• Professional procurement certification (or equivalent practical experience)
• Strong project management background; business administration expertise is a plus
• Fluency in German and English, both written and spoken; additional languages are a plus

Skills that support success

• Advanced stakeholder collaboration and clear communication skills
• Structured and analytical approach to problem solving
• Deep understanding of supply markets and value-drivers within Construction
• Experience working with leading global Project Developers, Architects, or Facility Management providers for workspace and office buildings is a strong plus
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional and international environments
• Ability to apply and optimize AI technologies, i.e.. generative AI and AI-driven decision making
• Learning agility and comfort navigating change
• Structured decision-making in complex, global environments

At SAP, we appreciate:

• A balanced work environment that supports both career growth and personal well-being
• Diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive
• A collaborative spirit that drives innovation and continuous improvement

Join our team and contribute to our exciting journey towards becoming a truly agile and strategic procurement organization. We welcome all candidates who bring a unique perspective and a drive to excel.

Bring out your best
SAP innovations help more than four hundred thousand customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Originally known for leadership in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, SAP has evolved to become a market leader in end-to-end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As a cloud company with two hundred million users and more than one hundred thousand employees worldwide, we are purpose-driven and future-focused, with a highly collaborative team ethic and commitment to personal development. Whether connecting global industries, people, or platforms, we help ensure every challenge gets the solution it deserves. At SAP, you can bring out your best.

We win with inclusion
SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world.

SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team: Careers@sap.com.

For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training.

AI Usage in the Recruitment Process

For information on the responsible use of AI in our recruitment process, please refer to our Guidelines for Ethical Usage of AI in the Recruiting Process.

Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process.

Requisition ID: 450553 | Work Area: Finance | Expected Travel: 0 - 10% | Career Status: Professional | Employment Type: Regular Full Time | #LI-Hybrid

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