Senior Category Expert - Network Connectivity

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.

What you'll build

The Senior Category Expert – Network Connectivity for Cloud Infrastructure is a key procurement role supporting global sourcing, commercial negotiations, and supplier management. The role partners closely with the Category Manager, business stakeholders, and cross‑functional teams to deliver value, ensure governance, and enable SAP’s cloud and growth strategy.

What you'll do

• Support and execute global sourcing activities across cloud infrastructure categories, including RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs.
• Lead and support commercial negotiations and contract lifecycle management suppliers including experience managing multimillion-euro deals and complex procurement arrangements
• Drive supplier relationship management, performance tracking, and governance
• Translate business requirements into clear procurement strategies and sourcing actions
• Contribute to category strategy development, market analysis, benchmarking, and spend analysis
• Prepare procurement analyses, decision materials, and executive-ready documentation
• Support GPO financial objectives by identifying, negotiating, and implementing savings opportunities, rebates, and cost optimization initiatives across cloud infrastructure categories.
• Support sustainability, innovation, and risk‑mitigation initiatives
• Simplify and standardize Source‑to‑Pay and sourcing processes across regions

Category Specific, in partnership with Category Manager:

• Support the development, execution, and ongoing management of the network connectivity strategy by collaborating with the Category Manager and aligning operational activities with business objectives.
• Lead negotiations and contract management with suppliers covering pricing, service terms, and value.
• Manage sourcing and the full contract lifecycle for network connectivity providers.
• Collaborate with stakeholders (business, finance, risk/compliance, legal) to ensure sound and scalable commercial decisions.
• Oversee supplier governance and performance, driving alignment and continuous improvement.
• Provide procurement leadership during escalations, assessing commercial and contractual impacts.
• Leverage data and tools for decision-making, reporting, and transparency within the category.
• Streamline procurement processes by standardizing templates and practices across regions.

What you bring

• Holds a university degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline
• Possesses extensive experience in IT or Cloud procurement within a multinational setting, including managing multimillion-euro agreements and complex procurement arrangements
• Strong preference for experience in WAN communications and telecom technologies/services.

• Familiarity with procurement technologies and digital tools including AI (SAP Ariba e-Sourcing, Fieldglass, SpendHQ, Copilot etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to changing business needs and priorities in dynamic global environment
• Demonstrates strong expertise in sourcing, category management, and contract negotiations
• Experienced in engaging with public cloud providers and cloud infrastructure services
• Exhibits excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities within a dynamic, global environment
• Highly customer service oriented with a commitment to quality and effective stakeholder engagement
• Consistently achieves and surpasses performance targets as a high-performing professional
• Adept at collaborating and building constructive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and suppliers
• Displays a proactive, results-driven approach with initiative and determination in addressing challenges
• Contributes to a supportive and inclusive team atmosphere through strong interpersonal skills
• Proficient in English, German as a plus

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.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements.

Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.

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: 450253 | Work Area: Finance | Expected Travel: 0 - 10% | Career Status: Professional | Employment Type: Regular Full Time | Additional Locations: #LI-Hybrid