Category Manager, Leased Lines

At Vodafone, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity for our customers – we’re shaping the future for everyone who joins our team. When you work with us, you’re part of a global mission to connect people, solve complex challenges, and create a sustainable and more inclusive world. If you want to grow your career whilst finding the perfect balance between work and life, Vodafone offers the opportunities to help you belong and make a real impact.

The Category Manager for Leased Lines leads commercial strategy, supplier negotiations, and sourcing execution for Leased Lines across Vodafone markets. The role drives savings in alignment with Group SCM objectives

As a Category Manager Leased Lines, you will be responsible for the definition, sign-off and execution of category strategy and the management & delivery of relevant projects in various Local Markets.
You will lead the negotiation for new contract renewals/amendments and build strong relationships with local teams & stakeholders. You will drive the execution of Vodafone’s global strategy for buying and procuring leased lines.

• Lead RFQs, negotiations and conclusion of contracts, working with Legal and internal stakeholders to met the business requirements.
• Proactively drive enforcement of category strategies, identify and realise savings.
• Build and maintain a strong partnership with senior stakeholders, relevant policy owners and the community at a Group and local market level
• Build negotiation strategy and lead direct negotiations with Suppliers to achieve cost reduction and improvement to service delivery.
• Develop and improve innovative commercial models and solutions for Vodafone and 3rd party customers
• Investigate and drive performance improvements on specific opportunities identified within the category
• Input into reporting against targets as defined by overall SCM goals and objectives
• Challenge thinking of local markets and how those requirements can be presented to Suppliers to create an advantage for Vodafone
• Manage and ensure the use of Supply Chain tools, processes, policies and standards

• Proven data analysis capabilities
• Effective engagement with key stakeholders and ability to communicate and present at senior management level
• Experience of working within procurement either at global or local level, technical knowledge of networks & services and possess ability to recommend/drive category transformation
• Business level proficiency in written and spoken English and German
• Solid experience in Telecoms industry with procurement experience
• Track record of delivering against challenging targets and of successful teamwork with virtual teams in cross cultural environment
• Well-developed written and verbal communication and executive presentation skills
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills in relation to multi-year agreements
• Strong contract negotiation skills new and in life.
• Leadership and teamwork, key focus on collaboration of virtual teams
• Business acumen; know the Leased Line industry, market, practices and trends
• Knowledge or previous experience about datacentre commercial models

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about empowering people and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to still apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another opportunity.

We want you to feel happy and fulfilled at work, without compromising the other things in life that matter to you. Here are some of the ways we support this:
Annual Discretionary Bonus
• Rewarding your hard work and dedication
Generous Annual Leave
• 28 days of annual leave, with the option to buy an additional 5 days and the opportunity to carry over 5 days per year
• 1 additional day (Family Day) for personal milestones or special occasions
• 11 public holidays to enjoy time with family and friends
• 5 charity days per year to give back to the community
Flexible Work Arrangements
• Flexible working schedule to help you balance your professional and personal life 
• 20 days to work from abroad, allowing you to combine work with travel and new experiences
Comprehensive Health and Wellness
• Lunch vouchers to support your midday meals
• Access to private AXA health insurance and a robust pension scheme to secure your health and future
Continuous Learning and Development
• Access to Vodafone University and online training resources to help you grow your skills and advance your career

We are a leading international Telco, serving millions of customers. At Vodafone, we believe that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people's lives and the world around us. Through our technology we empower people, connecting everyone regardless of who they are or where they live and we protect the planet, whilst helping our customers do the same.

Belonging at Vodafone isn't a concept; it's lived, breathed, and cultivated through everything we do. You'll be part of a global and diverse community, with many different minds, abilities, backgrounds and cultures. ;We're committed to increase diversity, ensure equal representation, and make Vodafone a place everyone feels safe, valued and included.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, please refer to https://careers.vodafone.com/application-adjustments/ for guidance.

Together we can.