Senior Category Manager

About Planet

Planet is a leading technology company transforming payments by putting customer experience first. We offer integrated solutions that include payment processing, VAT refunds, dynamic currency conversion, and management services for merchants in the Retail and Hospitality sectors worldwide.

In recent years, we have experienced significant growth, expanding our services and global presence.

With strong private equity investors, Advent International and Eurazeo, we have the financial capital and expertise to grow our capabilities and reach through acquisitions.

Our mission is to create a world of connected commerce where payments are simple, secure, and seamless, enabling our partners to deliver exceptional experiences to their customers.

Role Overview

As a Senior Category Manager, you will play a critical role in driving cost savings, optimizing spend, and enhancing supplier performance across strategic categories. You will act as a proactive business partner, executing procurement strategies that align with business objectives while continuously improving procurement practices and processes.

In this role, you will lead commercial negotiations and manage contracts to secure competitive outcomes and mitigate risk, collaborating closely with Legal, Security, and other departments. You will oversee the full procurement lifecycle, ensuring compliance with internal policies and procedures and maintaining a strong focus on operational excellence.

You will manage and nurture global supplier relationships, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products and services at the best possible terms. Through data-driven analysis, you will identify opportunities to rationalize the supplier portfolio, reduce costs, and support sustainability goals. Your ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively will be key to understanding stakeholder needs and promoting the strategic value of Procurement across the organization.

What will you do

Savings & Commercial Excellence

Lead commercial negotiations and contract management to secure competitive outcomes and mitigate risk.

Partner with Legal, Security, and other departments to ensure robust risk management and compliance.

Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing, supplier leverage, and process optimization.

Strategic Procurement & Supplier Rationalization

Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business objectives and innovation goals.

Rationalize and evolve the supplier portfolio using data-driven analysis to consolidate spend and improve performance.

Manage global supplier relationships to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and high service levels.

Operational Excellence

Oversee end-to-end procurement processes, ensuring consistent adherence to internal policies and procedures.

Monitor supplier performance and compliance, driving continuous improvement and supporting sustainability goals.

Internal Advocacy & Collaboration

Represent Procurement across the organization, promoting its strategic value to stakeholders and leadership.

Collaborate closely with internal teams to understand business needs and align procurement strategies accordingly.

Who you are

Minimum 5 years of experience in a procurement-focused role or management consulting. You have a strong track record in managing strategic categories, particularly IT, combining strategic insight with hands-on execution.

Skilled in leading complex negotiations using varied strategies to secure favorable terms, drive measurable savings, and maintain strong supplier relationships.

Highly organized and capable of managing multiple priorities in dynamic environments. Applies a structured, project-based approach to procurement initiatives.

Proficient in tools like Power BI to analyze spend, identify addressable opportunities, and generate actionable insights. Able to quantify impact through significant cost savings and performance improvements.

Experience in rationalizing supplier bases through data analysis and strategic sourcing, contributing to cost reduction and operational efficiency.

Deep understanding of procurement policies, procedures, and risk mitigation practices. Ensures consistent adherence across all procurement activities.

Passionate about technology, AI, and process improvement. Continuously seeks innovative ways to optimize procurement workflows and enhance efficiency.

Skilled in empathic, cross-functional communication. Comfortable presenting to leadership and building strong relationships across departments to align procurement with business needs.

Open to feedback and committed to professional growth. Embraces change and contributes to the evolution of procurement practices.

Understands procurement’s role as a support function and approaches work with a collaborative, stakeholder-focused mindset.

Communicates clearly and professionally in business-level English, both written and spoken.

Why Planet

Planet is an equal opportunity employer where diversity is valued, and all employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Come and grow your career in the most exciting, fast paced technology market, with a business that delivers feel-good connected commerce. We would love to hear from you – Apply now .

At Planet, we embrace a hybrid work model, with three days a week in the office.

Reasonable accommodations may be made in order to allow for an individual to perform the essential functions of this role successfully.

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