Senior Category Manager, IT Procurement

Senior Category Manager, IT Procurement (Global & Europe)

About Smurfit Westrock

Smurfit Westrock is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions, creating innovative products that help customers package, transport, display, and protect goods across a wide range of industries. With operations spanning multiple countries and a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and continuous improvement, we combine global scale with local expertise to deliver value to customers around the world. As we continue to transform and grow, technology and strategic procurement play a critical role in enabling our business objectives and supporting long-term success.

The Team

The Global IT Procurement team is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies that support Smurfit Westrock's global technology landscape. Working closely with IT, Information Security, Infrastructure, Digital, Applications, Finance, Legal, and business leadership teams, the function ensures the organisation receives maximum value from its technology investments while managing risk, supplier performance, and commercial outcomes.

As a key member of the team, you will act as the primary procurement partner for European stakeholders while contributing to global technology sourcing initiatives. The team operates in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with senior leaders and strategic suppliers across multiple countries to support business transformation, operational excellence, and technology innovation.

Role Summary

Are you passionate about shaping global technology partnerships, influencing strategic business decisions, and delivering measurable value through procurement excellence?

We are looking for an experienced Senior Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management activities across a broad portfolio of global IT spend categories. Reporting to the Director of IT Procurement, this role will play a pivotal part in driving commercial value, strengthening supplier relationships, supporting procurement transformation initiatives, and enabling technology investments that help power Smurfit Westrock's global business.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence senior stakeholders, lead complex global sourcing programmes, and help define the future of technology procurement within a truly international organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

You will be

• Leading strategic sourcing initiatives across software, SaaS, cloud services, cybersecurity, telecommunications, infrastructure, managed services, and professional services categories.
• Developing and executing category strategies that drive value, innovation, supplier optimisation, and cost efficiency.
• Managing end-to-end procurement processes, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and renewals.
• Negotiating complex enterprise agreements and commercial terms with strategic global technology suppliers.
• Building trusted relationships with senior business and technology stakeholders across Europe and globally.
• Acting as a strategic advisor to business leaders on procurement strategy, supplier management, commercial risk, and governance.
• Leading supplier governance programmes, performance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Delivering procurement reporting, savings tracking, supplier analytics, and risk management activities.
• Supporting procurement transformation projects and driving adoption of global sourcing strategies and best practices.

The Impact

In this role, your work will directly influence how Smurfit Westrock invests in technology across its global operations. You will help deliver significant commercial value through strategic negotiations, optimise supplier performance, strengthen procurement governance, and reduce commercial and contractual risk.

Your expertise will support critical technology initiatives, enabling operational efficiency, business growth, and digital transformation across multiple countries and business units. This is an opportunity to leave a lasting impact on both the procurement function and the wider organisation through strategic leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

To be successful in this role, you will bring

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Technology, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in IT Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, or Vendor Management.
• Proven success leading complex sourcing initiatives and high-value commercial negotiations in a global environment.
• Strong expertise across technology spend categories, including software licensing, SaaS, cloud services, cybersecurity, telecommunications, infrastructure, and technology services.
• Experience managing strategic suppliers and working with stakeholders across multiple countries and business functions.
• Excellent communication, influencing, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• Strong commercial awareness, analytical capability, and financial acumen.
• Fluent English language skills.

Desirable

• CIPS, MCIPS, CPSM, or equivalent procurement qualification.
• Experience within a global technology-focused organisation.
• Knowledge of European supplier management and contracting environments.
• Additional European language.

Location & Ways of Working

This role can be based in the UK, the Netherlands, or another approved European location. At Smurfit Westrock, we recognise the value of flexible working and support a hybrid approach, combining remote working with regular in-person collaboration in the office. This allows our teams to build strong relationships, foster innovation, and maintain close connections with stakeholders while providing flexibility in how work gets done.