Global Category Manager

We help the world run better
At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We're builders touching over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce, and we need your unique talents to help shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong. What's in it for you? Constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed. 

What you'll build 

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Global Category Manager – Events & Sponsorships to join our Global Marketing Procurement team. This role goes beyond traditional category management — it is about creating one global way of working across regions, driving process excellence and enhancing the experience of our internal stakeholders.

You will be responsible for developing and executing the global category strategy for events and sponsorships, while leading efforts to harmonize processes between our regional teams. This includes mapping, optimizing and standardizing how we source, contract and manage event and sponsorship suppliers to ensure consistency, agility and impact worldwide.

As a trusted business partner, you will collaborate with Marketing teams to deliver innovative, high-quality and cost-efficient event & sponsorship experiences while ensuring procurement brings strategic value and seamless support. 

Your tasks will include: 

•    Develop and execute the global category strategy for events and sponsorships in line with business and procurement goals.

•    Harmonize and optimize processes across regions by mapping current workflows, identifying inefficiencies and implementing standardized, agile and compliant solutions to improve overall stakeholder experience. 

•    Build strong business partnerships with global and regional stakeholders to understand needs, influence decisions and deliver tailored, value-driven procurement solutions.

•    Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management, including supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, risk mitigation and performance optimization.

•    Lead procurement transformation and change management initiatives, supporting the adoption of new tools, governance frameworks and digital solutions.

•    Develop governance models, metrics and knowledge-sharing frameworks to ensure transparency, capability building and continuous improvement globally.

•    Drive innovation, sustainability and diversity across the supplier base, supporting corporate ESG goals.  

What you bring

 

•    Minimum 7 years of experience in marketing procurement, ideally focused on events, sponsorships or related marketing categories.

•    Proven track record in defining and executing global category strategies in close collaboration with business stakeholders and suppliers, ensuring alignment with both commercial and business objectives.

•    Demonstrated success in leading cross-regional and cross-functional initiatives and driving process harmonization or transformation.

•    Strong expertise in process mapping, documentation and optimization, with the ability to simplify complex workflows and enhance stakeholder experience.

•    Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management and communication capabilities.

•    Strong analytical and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities globally.

•    Fluency in English. 
 

Where you belong

Join a collaborative, forward-thinking Global Procurement team committed to growing together. We value curiosity, partnership and innovation, empowering you to make an impact as we continuously evolve and strengthen as a team. 

What you can expect is professional onboarding, exciting career progression, a diverse work environment providing growth opportunities, learning & development possibilities, and an international business network for you to leverage. Interesting non-work related activities (volunteering, charity, sport events,..). This role is based at the ultra-modern Metronom office building directly above the Nove Butovice metro station. The location encompasses SAP's vision for the perfect work-life balance by featuring uniquely decorated relaxation rooms, parents' and kids' room.

BENEFITS

Yearly bonuses, sick days paid and sick leaves fully refunded, flexible start/end of working hours, contributions to the pension/life insurance, meal vouchers, holidays 5 weeks, educational courses, coaching and mentoring opportunities, free massage, cafeteria plan, free fitness studio, generous shares program, etc.  

Bring out your best
SAP innovations help more than four hundred thousand customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Originally known for leadership in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, SAP has evolved to become a market leader in end-to-end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As a cloud company with two hundred million users and more than one hundred thousand employees worldwide, we are purpose-driven and future-focused, with a highly collaborative team ethic and commitment to personal development. Whether connecting global industries, people, or platforms, we help ensure every challenge gets the solution it deserves. At SAP, you can bring out your best.  

We win with inclusion
SAP's culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world.

SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team:

For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity,  gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements.

Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.

AI Usage in the Recruitment Process

For information on the responsible use of AI in our recruitment process, please refer to our Guidelines for Ethical Usage of AI in the Recruiting Process.

Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process.

Requisition ID: | Work Area: Finance  | Expected Travel: 0 - 10%  | Career Status: Professional  | Employment Type: Regular Full Time   | Additional Locations: Germany #LI-Hybrid