Category Manager

Nokia

. Develop and execute category strategies, sourcing roadmaps, and supplier portfolio plans aligned with business objectives and market dynamics.

Posted 10/20/2026full-timeGurgaon • IndiaSeniorLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, and contract negotiation, with a strong focus on supplier relationship management and procurement best practices. Proven ability to analyze costs, optimize supplier performance, and enhance sourcing processes to align with business objectives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Strategic SourcingCategory ManagementContract ManagementCommercial NegotiationsSupplier Relationship Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Cost ModelingPricing AnalysisSupplier EvaluationNegotiation PlanningTotal Cost Of Ownership OptimizationMarket IntelligenceBenchmarkingSaaSCloud ServicesSoftware Licensing Models

Soft Skills

Stakeholder ManagementCommunicationInfluencingCollaborationAnalytical Capabilities

Tools & Technologies

Procurement PlatformsMicrosoft OfficeData AnalyticsAI-Enabled Sourcing Solutions

Industry Keywords

Supply ChainProcurementCommercial FrameworksGovernanceBest Practices

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and execute category strategies, sourcing roadmaps, and supplier portfolio plans aligned with business objectives and market dynamics.
Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFx processes, supplier identification, evaluation, selection, and onboarding in accordance with Nokia sourcing policies.
Negotiate commercial agreements, licensing models, pricing structures, and contractual terms to maximize value and mitigate business risks.
Drive cost competitiveness through market intelligence, cost analysis, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization.
Manage strategic supplier relationships, monitor performance, and implement continuous improvement and corrective action plans where required.
Optimize the utilization of preferred suppliers by balancing cost, quality, innovation, service levels, delivery capabilities, and business requirements.
Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, ensuring sourcing decisions support customer commitments, business priorities, and operational requirements.
Contribute to the enhancement of sourcing processes, tools, governance frameworks, and best practices to improve efficiency and procurement effectiveness.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
10 years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing, category management, contract management, and commercial negotiations.
Experience in software sourcing, software licensing models, SaaS, cloud services, or related commercial frameworks.
Proven stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills with the ability to collaborate across global and cross-functional teams.
Proven analytical capabilities with experience in cost modeling, pricing analysis, supplier evaluation, and negotiation planning.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment while maintaining a strong focus on compliance, governance, and business outcomes.
Familiarity with supplier relationship management (SRM), procurement best practices, and category management methodologies.
Experience working in a global matrix organization with exposure to cross-cultural stakeholder and supplier management.
Familiarity with procurement platforms, Microsoft Office tools, data analytics, and AI-enabled sourcing solutions is nice to have.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Laptop support with ordering needed
Hybrid work arrangement
Inclusive workplace and equal employment opportunity commitment
Recruitment support for candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences