Technical procurement program manager @ Bnode - Brussels
Client description
Bnode, the group behind Bpost, is a leading international postal and e-commerce logistics organisation with strong roots in Belgium and operations across multiple international markets.
Its scale and operational footprint create a diverse and technically complex procurement environment, with significant spend across infrastructure, technical works, facilities, equipment and other operationally critical technical categories.
Procurement plays an important role in supporting the organisation’s operations and long-term ambitions. Today, the function is further strengthening its strategic contribution to the business, with an increased focus on category strategy, early business engagement and Supplier Relationship Management.
To support this ambition, we are looking for an experienced Technical Procurement Program Manager.
Job description
Reporting to the Category Manager Fleet & Technical, you will act as a key strategic sparring partner and help shape and implement the procurement approach across a broad technical portfolio.
This is not a traditional hands-on buyer role. You will operate at the intersection of procurement strategy, the business and the supplier market.
Your focus will be on understanding where the business is heading, translating those ambitions into category strategies and procurement programmes, and ensuring Procurement is involved early enough to make a meaningful impact.
You will play an important role in further strengthening category strategy, business partnering and strategic supplier management within the technical procurement domain.
Working closely with the Category Manager Fleet & Technical, procurement colleagues and business stakeholders, you will:
· Develop and implement category strategies across technical spend areas.
· Act as a strategic sparring partner to the Category Manager, bringing procurement expertise, market insights and new perspectives to the category roadmap.
· Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and ensure early Procurement involvement in technical projects, investments and longer-term business roadmaps.
· Translate business needs and future plans into clear procurement priorities and strategic initiatives.
· Understand technical requirements and specifications and constructively challenge them from a procurement, commercial and supplier-market perspective.
· Further develop Supplier Relationship Management, creating more strategic relationships with key suppliers around performance, innovation, risk and long-term value creation.
· Identify opportunities related to cost, quality, supplier performance, sustainability, resilience and innovation, and translate these into concrete actions.
· Drive strategic procurement initiatives from concept through implementation and take ownership of their progress and results.
· Contribute to large and complex sourcing or tendering exercises, while maintaining your primary focus on the strategic rather than day-to-day operational execution.
· Challenge existing approaches where appropriate and drive change in a pragmatic and constructive way.
· Create alignment between Procurement, business stakeholders and suppliers to ensure that strategies translate into tangible results.
Profile
First and foremost, you bring a strong technical procurement background.
You have experience with technically complex spend and feel comfortable engaging with technical stakeholders. You do not necessarily need to be an engineer, but you understand technical requirements and specifications well enough to ask the right questions, understand their implications and challenge them where appropriate.
Experience within areas such as CAPEX, construction & works, technical equipment, engineering or facilities is particularly relevant.
Beyond your technical background, we are looking for someone who already brings the strategic procurement capabilities required for this position:
- Solid experience within strategic and technical procurement, preferably in a large or complex organisation.
- Proven experience in category strategy, from development through implementation.
- Strong business partnering and stakeholder management capabilities. You know how to engage the business early and position Procurement as a strategic partner.
- Experience with Supplier Relationship Management and creating value with strategic suppliers beyond sourcing, pricing and contract negotiations.
- The maturity and credibility to operate as a trusted sparring partner for the Category Manager and senior business stakeholders.
- The ability to combine a structured and analytical approach with pragmatism and implementation power.
- Strong ownership and accountability for the initiatives you take on.
- An open and transparent communication style and a genuine team-player mentality.
- The drive to challenge the status quo constructively, create buy-in and bring stakeholders along in change.
- Fluency in English combined with either Dutch or French.
Experience with fleet and/or energy & utilities can be considered an asset, but is not a prerequisite.
Experience with public procurement is not required.
Offer
This is an opportunity to have an impact beyond individual sourcing exercises.
Bnode / Bpost is further strengthening the strategic role Procurement plays within the business. As Technical Procurement Program Manager, you will be closely involved in this evolution and have the opportunity to influence how technical categories are managed, how Procurement connects with business roadmaps and how strategic supplier relationships are developed.
You will work closely with the Category Manager Fleet & Technical while taking significant ownership of strategic initiatives across a broad and technically challenging procurement landscape.
For an experienced technical procurement professional, this role brings together technical complexity, category strategy, business partnering, Supplier Relationship Management and change in one broad and impactful position.
Contact
Nick Vermeulen | nick@purson.be | 0032 491 13 35 79
Global Head of ICT Procurement - Brussels
Client description
Our client is a leading international organization operating at the crossroads of logistics, technology, and digital services. With a strong European footprint and a rapidly expanding global presence, the company plays a vital role in connecting businesses, consumers, and markets through innovative and reliable solutions.
Over the past years, the organization has embarked on an ambitious transformation journey aimed at modernizing its operations, accelerating digital capabilities, and strengthening its position in an increasingly technology-driven ecosystem. Significant investments are being made in advanced IT infrastructure, digital platforms, data capabilities, and automation to support future growth and operational excellence.
Technology and procurement are central to this transformation. As the organization continues to scale and modernize its digital landscape, strategic sourcing of technology solutions has become a key enabler of innovation, resilience, and long-term competitiveness.
Within this context, the organization is looking to strengthen its procurement leadership by appointing a Global ICT Category Head who will play a pivotal role in shaping the technology sourcing strategy and developing strategic partnerships with leading global technology providers.
This role offers a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of procurement strategy, digital transformation, and international supplier ecosystems, contributing directly to the organization’s next phase of growth and innovation.
Job description
The Global ICT Category Head is responsible for defining, shaping, and executing the global sourcing strategy for the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) category. This strategic leadership role sits at the intersection of procurement, technology, and business transformation, ensuring that ICT procurement activities directly enable the organization’s digital ambitions and operational excellence.
Reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer, the role oversees the full lifecycle of ICT sourcing and supplier management, covering domains such as software licensing, cloud services, IT infrastructure, telecommunications, cybersecurity, digital platforms, and managed services.
The Global ICT Category Head drives sustainable value creation by optimizing global spend, developing high-performing supplier ecosystems, and ensuring access to innovation while maintaining strong governance, risk management, and cost efficiency. The role requires a strategic mindset combined with deep market knowledge and strong stakeholder engagement across business and technology leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Category Leadership
Define and execute a forward-looking global ICT procurement strategy aligned with the organization’s overall business and digital transformation objectives.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and maintaining a comprehensive global category strategy for ICT procurement.
- Aligning sourcing strategies with enterprise IT roadmaps, digital transformation initiatives, and technology investment plans.
- Identifying strategic sourcing levers to deliver sustainable value, including supplier consolidation, demand management, standardization, and contract optimization.
- Embedding Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), value engineering, and lifecycle cost analysis into procurement decision-making.
- Ensuring procurement actively contributes to innovation, agility, and scalability of the organization’s technology landscape.
- Continuously monitoring market developments and technology trends to proactively adapt category strategies.
Strategic Business Partnership
Act as a trusted procurement advisor to senior stakeholders across IT, Digital, Finance, Legal, and Operations.
Responsibilities include:
- Building strong strategic partnerships with CIO leadership, IT architecture teams, and digital transformation leaders.
- Translating complex technology requirements into effective sourcing and supplier strategies.
- Ensuring procurement is embedded early in technology programs, transformation initiatives, and major IT investments.
- Promoting procurement excellence, governance, and best practices across the organization.
- Supporting leadership teams with market intelligence, benchmarking insights, and supplier landscape expertise.
Strategic Sourcing & Contract Negotiation
Lead complex global sourcing initiatives for ICT-related solutions and services.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing end-to-end sourcing processes including market analysis, RFI/RFP processes, supplier selection, and contract negotiations.
- Negotiating large-scale commercial agreements with global technology providers.
- Structuring contracts that balance cost efficiency, operational performance, scalability, and risk mitigation.
- Ensuring supplier agreements include robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs), performance indicators, and governance frameworks.
- Ensuring compliance with procurement policies, regulatory requirements, and internal governance standards.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
Develop and manage strategic partnerships with critical ICT suppliers.
Responsibilities include:
- Defining and managing a strategic supplier ecosystem for ICT technologies and services.
- Establishing structured Supplier Relationship Management frameworks and governance models.
- Conducting regular strategic business reviews with key suppliers.
- Monitoring supplier performance across service delivery, quality, innovation, and cost competitiveness.
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives and joint value creation programs with strategic vendors.
- Identifying opportunities to leverage supplier innovation and emerging technologies.
Market Intelligence & Technology Ecosystem Development
Maintain deep understanding of the evolving ICT market and supplier landscape.
Responsibilities include:
- Conducting ongoing market intelligence and benchmarking activities.
- Monitoring emerging technology trends such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, and digital platforms.
- Identifying new supplier capabilities, innovation partners, and emerging market opportunities.
- Supporting technology leadership in evaluating strategic technology partners and sourcing models.
Risk Management & Procurement Governance
Ensure robust governance and proactive risk management across the ICT supply base.
Key responsibilities include:
- Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to supplier concentration, cybersecurity, compliance, and operational resilience.
- Developing contingency strategies and supplier diversification plans where necessary.
- Ensuring strong governance over strategic supplier relationships and contractual obligations.
- Supporting enterprise risk management and regulatory compliance frameworks.
Performance Management & Value Delivery
Establish clear performance frameworks to measure category impact and supplier performance.
Responsibilities include:
- Designing and implementing key performance indicators and dashboards for ICT procurement.
- Monitoring supplier performance and contract compliance.
- Tracking value creation through cost savings, cost avoidance, innovation contributions, and service improvements.
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives across the supplier ecosystem and procurement processes.
- Ensuring high-quality data management and transparency in procurement reporting.
Financial Management & Spend Optimization
Drive financial performance and cost discipline across the ICT category.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing significant global ICT spend and ensuring alignment with financial targets.
- Supporting budgeting and financial planning for technology investments.
- Identifying cost optimization opportunities across software licensing, infrastructure, and technology services.
- Improving spend visibility and procurement analytics within the ICT category.
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and develop a high-performing procurement team responsible for ICT sourcing and supplier management.
Responsibilities include:
- Managing and mentoring a team of category managers, sourcing specialists, and procurement professionals.
- Providing strategic direction and ensuring alignment with procurement objectives.
- Driving professional development and capability building within the team.
- Fostering a collaborative, performance-driven culture focused on value creation and operational excellence.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate combines strong strategic procurement leadership with deep expertise in ICT sourcing and technology markets.
Education
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Professional procurement certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent are considered an asset.
Experience
- Minimum of 10–12 years of experience in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing within complex organizations.
- Proven track record managing ICT categories including software, cloud services, telecommunications, IT infrastructure, and digital platforms.
- Experience negotiating high-value global contracts with leading technology vendors.
- Strong experience operating in multinational environments and matrix organizations.
Core Competencies
- Strategic Procurement Leadership
Ability to define and implement global sourcing strategies that deliver measurable business value. - ICT Market Expertise
Deep understanding of the global technology supplier landscape and emerging technology ecosystems. - Commercial & Financial Acumen
Strong analytical capabilities with expertise in Total Cost of Ownership and value-based sourcing. - Negotiation Excellence
Demonstrated success negotiating complex, high-value technology contracts with global vendors. - Risk Management & Governance
Ability to proactively identify and mitigate supplier, operational, and regulatory risks. - Data-Driven Decision Making
Strong analytical mindset enabling evidence-based sourcing decisions and performance management. - Leadership & Stakeholder Influence
Ability to influence senior executives and drive cross-functional collaboration. - Innovation & Digital Awareness
Strong understanding of digital transformation trends and their impact on sourcing strategies. - Languages
- Fluent in English
- Additional European languages are considered an advantage.
Additional Requirements
- Comfortable operating in a global environment.
- Ability to collaborate across international teams and cultures.
- Willingness to travel internationally when required.
Offer
This is a unique opportunity to join a company in the midst of a major transformation journey, where technology, procurement excellence, and innovation are key drivers of future success.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Play a key role in shaping the organization’s technology sourcing strategy
- Work on large-scale digital and operational transformation initiatives
- Collaborate with senior leaders across technology, operations, and procurement
- Operate in a dynamic international environment
- Contribute directly to building a more efficient, digital, and sustainable organization
- The role combines strategic impact, leadership responsibility, and access to a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, making it an exceptional opportunity for senior procurement professionals with strong ICT expertise.
Contact
Nick Vermeulen | nick@purson.be | 0032 491 13 35 79
