Category Manager IT & Marketing (m/f/d)

Field of Work: Procurement

Location:

Berlin, BE, DE

Legal Entity: KWS Berlin GmbH

Contract Type: Regular

Is Full Time?: Yes

Onsite/ Remote: Hybrid Working Within Country

Job ID: 16802

For KWS Berlin GmbH we are looking for a full-time permanent Category Manager IT & Marketing in Berlin who will be responsible for developing and implementing global sourcing strategies for IT products, services, and digital solutions, as well for Marketing projects. As a strategic business partner to IT, Digital, and other corporate functions, the role ensures value-driven procurement decisions that support KWS’ digital transformation, optimize costs, manage risks, and foster innovation. In addition, the position supports selected sourcing activities within Marketing Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global category strategies for IT procurement in alignment with KWS business priorities and digital transformation objectives.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing activities, including market analysis, sourcing strategy development, supplier selection, negotiations, contracting, and implementation.
• Manage procurement of software, hardware, cloud solutions, telecommunications, IT services, and other digital technologies.
• Negotiate complex software licensing, SaaS, cloud, managed services, and commercial agreements to achieve optimal business outcomes.
• Build, manage, and continuously develop strategic relationships with key technology suppliers and service providers.
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, translating business requirements into effective procurement and supplier strategies.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, legal requirements, information security standards, data privacy regulations, and internal governance frameworks.
• Identify and realize cost-saving opportunities while enabling innovation, supplier performance improvements, and business continuity.
• Lead procurement projects and change initiatives in a global matrix organization.
• Support selected sourcing initiatives within Marketing Services where required.

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Solid several years of experience in strategic procurement, ideally with a strong focus on IT Procurement.
• Proven expertise in sourcing and managing software, cloud services, hardware, telecommunications, and IT service providers.
• Strong experience in supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, and stakeholder management within international environments.
• Knowledge of procurement and ERP systems, ideally SAP and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) solutions.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken. Additional languages, particularly German, are an advantage.

Competencies

• Strong strategic, commercial, and analytical mindset.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex global matrix organizations.
• Strong stakeholder and change management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills across all organizational levels, including senior leadership.
• Results-oriented, proactive, and able to work independently with a high degree of ownership.
• Collaborative team player with a strong customer and service orientation.

Benefits

• We are an international team of open-minded people with diverse and cross-functional experience
• Interesting and challenging tasks and projects
• As a family business, we are guided by the values of closeness, reliability, vision and independence; this culture is lived in practice and ensures an open and friendly working atmosphere from day one
• The best of both worlds: KWS Berlin combines the security of a large, stable company with the passion of a start-up
• Our location in the heart of Berlin-Schöneberg is very modern; directly opposite the underground station Bülowstraße and with secured car & bicycle parking spaces
• We offer 30d holidays, flexible working hours, holiday and Christmas bonuses, company pension scheme, JobRad and/or Jobticket
• True to our motto "Make yourself grow", we support the professional and personal development of our employees

Interested? Then submit your application via our online application system SuccessFactors! Please click the “Apply” button.

About KWS

KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies and employs around 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries. With the tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for more than 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seeds for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflowers. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods and invests a significant amount in research and development.
At KWS, diversity is not just a value; it is an essential part of our success. Breeding resilient crops requires diversity; likewise, our strength comes from the diversity of our teams. Whatever your background or identity is, we invite you to join us.
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