Sourcing Category Manager Software & Digital Applications (m/f/x)

[Internal Opportunity]   Sourcing Category Manager Software & Digital Applications (m/f/x)

Are you looking to grow or to develop new skills within Hager Group? An opportunity has just come up within the Sourcing department. What if this was your chance to explore a new field, grow your skills, and thrive in a new role? Dare to apply and join your new team.

Hager is strengthening its Indirect Sourcing organization and is seeking a Senior Category Manager – 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. 

The position will be based either in Obernai (France) or in Blieskastel (Germany). 

Your Mission & Strategic Impact

Own the Global Software Category Strategy 

• 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 

Lead High-Impact Negotiations & Contractual Governance 

• 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 

Orchestrate Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• 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 

Build & Lead a High-Performance Vendor Ecosystem 

• 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 

Enable Digital Agility & FinOps Excellence 

• Support Cloud Architecture and Agile environments (SCRUM / Kanban) with procurement processes adapted to digital speed 

• Drive solution portfolio rationalisation 

• Implement cloud cost optimization and FinOps governance practices 

• Anticipate contractual implications of AI adoption, cloud scalability, and evolving digital business models 

Who You Are

Strategic Negotiator & Contract Expert

• 5+ years of experience in Software Purchasing 
• Strong mastery of complex contractual structures (software licensing, SaaS, cloud, AI-related clauses, IP, data protection) 

Tech & AI-Savvy Business Partner

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

Influential Leader

• Executive presence and ability to challenge and guide C-level stakeholders 
• Strong communication skills within complex, matrixed, international organizations 

Interested in joining a team of passionate experts?

To learn more, contact Marion DARETS, the manager of this amazing team straight away.

They can’t wait to share their expertise and take on new challenges together with you.

Be bold, the power of internal mobility is in your hands: once your application has been submitted and your manager has been informed, our HR team will contact you for an initial interview with the hiring manager and the HRBP of your future position.