Senior Global Category Manager – IT Software & AI Solutions

Fresenius Medical Care•Franklin, TN

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Global Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing global procurement strategies with third-party suppliers in support of Fresenius Medical Care’s One Procurement strategy. This senior leadership role drives end-to-end category management, strategic sourcing, high-stakes supplier negotiations, complex contracting, and ongoing supplier lifecycle management for the IT Software portfolio. This includes enterprise software, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), cloud applications, and emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) solutions. The role coordinates closely with Procurement Partners, IT Architecture, and senior stakeholders to elevate procurement from a transactional function to a strategic enabler, integrating early into budgetary and architectural planning.

Requirements

Minimum of 8 to 10 years of progressive experience in Strategic Sourcing and Category Management, with a definitive track record of direct ownership over complex IT Software, Enterprise SaaS, and digital solutions.
Proven, hands-on experience sourcing and negotiating AI-driven platforms, automated analytics tools, or advanced technology consulting services. Must demonstrate an understanding of data privacy, IP implications, and commercial models unique to AI software.
Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and partner effectively with senior technology executives and C-level stakeholders without direct authority.
Exceptional capacity to navigate high-ambiguity environments, making sound strategic recommendations or rapid procurement decisions based on complex, shifting, or incomplete data sets.
High proficiency in financial modeling, software license compliance analytics, and interpreting complex spend visibility dashboards.
Expert level in Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel and PowerPoint).
Proven experience working in and managing virtual, geographically dispersed, cross-cultural sourcing teams.
Expert ability to tailor communication styles to align stakeholders across diverse regional and cultural backgrounds.
Expert negotiation skills, with documented success in executing high-impact, multi-million-dollar enterprise software agreements with major global publishers.
Strong project management expertise with the ability to shepherd multiple fast-paced software initiatives from initial roadmap planning through global deployment.
Familiarity with Agile frameworks and ways of working.
Absolutely fluent in English (written and spoken) with exceptional presentation capabilities.
Master-level understanding of the 7-step strategic sourcing process, software asset management, and global bidding structures.
In-depth knowledge of software licensing methodologies, cloud subscription architectures, indirect use compliance, maintenance support structures, and total cost of ownership (TCO) concepts.
Comprehensive understanding of software contract terms, including end-user license agreements (EULAs), software-as-a-service agreements, data processing addendums (DPAs), and information security exhibits.
Expert awareness of technology sector consolidation, open-source software trends, and the commercial evolution of generative AI providers.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Degrees: MBA or Master’s degree in a related field is highly desired.
Certifications: CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management), CIPS, or professional certifications in Software Asset Management (CSAM) or AI procurement are a strong plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute multi-year global category and sub-category strategies covering Enterprise Applications (ERP, CRM), SaaS, Cloud Software, and commercial AI/Machine Learning solutions.
Serve as the global procurement subject matter expert for AI technologies. Architect and execute sourcing strategies for AI-as-a-Service platforms, contract intelligence software, automated redlining tools, and LLM integrations, balancing rapid deployment with strict corporate guidelines.
Maintain expert, forward-looking knowledge of global IT market trends, cloud hyperscaler marketplaces, AI compliance shifts, software publisher monetization changes (e.g., shifts from user-based to consumption-based models), and the competitive landscape.
Collaborate closely with IT Architecture, Digital Transformation teams, and Business Partners to harmonize cross-functional software requirements, eliminate application redundancy, aggregate global demand, and standardize software specifications across regions.
Develop and deploy robust supply risk mitigation strategies addressing software compliance, aggressive licensing audits (e.g., Oracle, SAP, Microsoft), data privacy regulations (GDPR/HIPAA), AI data governance, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and SaaS service-level continuity.
Lead complex, cross-functional global sourcing initiatives (RFx) for high-value, business-critical software and AI platforms, transforming technical requirements into highly favorable commercial frameworks.
Utilize sophisticated analytical techniques to establish aggressive negotiation targets, utilizing software asset management (SAM) data, shelf-ware metrics, and cloud consumption modeling to optimize lifetime value.
Lead negotiations for complex legal, intellectual property (IP), and commercial terms. Ensure ironclad protections regarding AI data ownership, data training models, software security indemnifications, and multi-tenant cloud hosting parameters.
Partner with IT Finance and leadership during budgetary planning cycles by providing critical software market data, maintenance escalation projections, and cost forecasts.
Actively support IT in rigorous cost control, mitigating unbudgeted auto-renewal exposures, and driving the achievement of committed global savings goals.
Manage strategic, long-term relationships with Tier-1 software publishers and AI providers, maintaining direct executive-level channels to align performance, innovation roadmaps, and commercial structures.
Lead regular, highly structured Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) to monitor SaaS uptime, SLA adherence, AI model accuracy/performance metrics, and evaluate financial or compliance risks.
Serve as the premier procurement business partner to the CIO’s organization, ensuring software procurement pipelines align seamlessly with enterprise digital roadmaps and cloud-first initiatives.
Champion and drive the adoption of digital procurement tools (including eSourcing, CLM, Spend Visibility, and S2P platforms) across the category to maximize process efficiency and spend transparency.
Accountable for managing cross-functional, virtually matrixed project teams across global regions (including the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific).