Global Category Manager, IT

Solenis is a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions. The company's product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, cleaners, disinfectants, and state-of-the-art monitoring, control and delivery systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner and safer environments. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 78 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over ~23000 professionals in >160 countries across six continents. Solenis is a 2025 Best Managed Company Gold Standard honoree.

For additional information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.comor follow us on social media.

As Global IT Category Leader you will provide strategic leadership for the enterprise-wide IT category, shaping global sourcing direction across software, hardware, cloud, telecom, and IT services. You will act as a senior business partner to IT and executive stakeholders, driving value creation, innovation, and risk resilience beyond traditional cost management.

You require strong influence, the ability to lead complex global ecosystems, and a forward-looking mindset aligned with digital transformation and technology strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Category Leadership & Strategy - Lead the global IT category strategy by setting the vision, governance framework, and operating model, while aligning with business and IT roadmaps and proactively adapting to market, technology, and supplier trends.

Executive Stakeholder Partnership - Act as a strategic partner to the CIO, IT, and senior stakeholders, collaborating cross-functionally to influence demand and commercial decisions using data and market insight.

Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Excellence - Lead complex global sourcing and negotiations, designing innovative commercial models (e.g., SaaS, cloud, consumption- and outcome-based) and securing contracts that drive long-term value, flexibility, and scalability.

Supplier Ecosystem Control - Oversee global strategic supplier relationships and executive governance, collaborating with partners to drive innovation, co-development, and continuous improvement while building resilient, diverse supplier ecosystems.

Value Creation & Transformation - Deliver sustainable value through cost optimization, productivity, risk reduction, and innovation, collaborating with IT and the business to enable transformation and drive simplification and scalability.

Risk, Compliance & Responsibility - Proactively manage cyber, data, geopolitical, and supply risks while ensuring regulatory and policy compliance and embedding ESG, sustainability, and responsible sourcing into the IT category strategy.

Leadership Expectations - Lead with influence and expertise while collaborating across regions to mentor teams, role-model collaboration and integrity, and foster a culture of strategic thinking, continuous improvement, and innovation..

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in IT procurement, category leadership, or strategic sourcing.
• Deep understanding of IT markets including software, cloud, infrastructure, and services.
• Proven experience influencing senior executives and directing global, cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong commercial, negotiation, and analytical capabilities.
• Experience operating in complex, multinational organizations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

This role will ideally be located near Wilmington, DE or Charlotte, NC. However we are open to the location for the right candidate.

We understand that candidates will not meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you.

At Solenis, we understand that our greatest asset is our people. That is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits which include medical, dental, vision & 401K, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. So, if you are interested in working for a world-class company and enjoy solving complex challenges, whether in the lab or the field, consider joining our team.

Solenis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer, including Minorities / Women/ Veterans / Disabled.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Should you require assistance in applying to this opportunity, please reach out to Solenis Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@solenis.com