Senior Category Manager; m​/f​/d - Software & Digital

Senior Category Manager (m/f/d) - Software & Digital Applications

Senior Category Manager (m/f/d) - Software & Digital Applications

Why join the Sourcing department?

Innovation starts with us!

At the heart of every project, our sourcing teams develops innovative strategies for acquiring materials and services, ensuring quality partnerships and effective cost management. We are committed to providing sustainable solutions, meeting environmental standards and achieving industry-leading performance.

By joining our sourcing team, you will play a key role in selecting the best suppliers and optimizing our supply chain. You will work with a passionate team, dedicated to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges of an ever-changing sector.

In the Sourcing department, we are shaping tomorrow’s electrical world. You can too, Join us!

As a Senior Category Manager (m/f/d) - Software & Digital Applications you will report to the Sourcing team leader based in Obernai (France) or Blieskastel (Germany) for a permanent contract.

Hager Group is strengthening its Indirect Sourcing organization and is seeking a Senior Category Manager (m/f/d) – Software & Digital Applications to shape and steer our global digital procurement strategy.

This is not a transactional buying role. You will act as the strategic architect of our digital supply ecosystem
, ensuring that our software, SaaS, cloud, and embedded solutions accelerate innovation while delivering sustainable commercial value.

From scaling IoT cloud infrastructure to optimizing enterprise-wide SaaS portfolios, your impact will be felt across the entire organization.

• Develop and execute a 3–5 year global category roadmap aligned with Hager’s digital and business strategy (P2030)
• Integrate emerging technologies such as AI-powered platforms and data-driven solutions into the sourcing strategy
• Identify innovation opportunities, supplier consolidation levers, and risk mitigation strategies
• Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) optimization and long‑term value creation

• Manage complex commercial negotiations with global software vendors (including major tech players and specialized digital partners)
• Lead end‑to‑end contractual structuring: licensing models, SaaS/subscription frameworks, cloud consumption agreements, AI usage clauses, data ownership, IP rights, cybersecurity, liability, and exit strategies
• Ensure full compliance with applicable digital and data regulations (e.g., GDPR, NIS‑2)
• Protect Hager’s legal and financial interests while fostering long‑term strategic partnerships

• Act as the strategic interface between Procurement and IT, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, R&D, and Commercial functions
• Translate technical architectures (cloud‑native, APIs, embedded software, AI solutions) into robust commercial and contractual frameworks
• Influence executive stakeholders and support key digital and AI investment decisions

• Design and manage a robust and future‑ready supplier panel
• Conduct executive‑level business reviews
• Implement structured vendor governance models covering performance, risk, innovation, and compliance

• Support Cloud Architecture and Agile environments (SCRUM / Kanban) with procurement processes adapted to digital speed
• Drive solution portfolio rationalisation
• Implement cloud cost optimization and Fin Ops governance practices
• Anticipate contractual implications of AI adoption, cloud scalability, and evolving digital business models

• 5+ years of experience in Software Purchasing
• Strong mastery of complex contractual structures (software licensing, SaaS, cloud, AI‑related clauses, IP, data protection)
• Proven track record negotiating with major global software vendors

• Solid understanding of SaaS, cloud‑native architectures, IoT platforms, APIs, embedded software, and AI‑enabled solutions
• Able to bridge legal, commercial,…