Director, IT Sourcing Category

Location: Helsinki

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We are looking for an IT Sourcing Director to lead our IT sourcing team within Indirect Materials and Services Sourcing.

Greetings from your future manager

“This role offers an opportunity to make a real strategic impact. IT sourcing sits at the intersection of technology, business transformation, risk management and value creation. We are looking for a sourcing leader who combines commercial expertise with curiosity, sound judgment and a collaborative approach. You will build trusted partnerships with IT and suppliers while helping us continuously improve the way we work. If you are motivated by shaping how UPM manages critical technology suppliers and strengthening sourcing capabilities for the future, I would be very pleased to hear from you.” – Nina Kivioja, Vice President, Sourcing, Indirect Materials and Services

What you will do

In this role, you will help shape how UPM sources, manages and develops critical IT supplier relationships. You will work closely with UPM IT, Businesses, Legal, Finance, Security and supplier partners to create value, manage risk and support UPM’s future business needs.

Our team’s ambition is to excel in spend management, secure competitive commercial terms, create measurable value and manage supplier and contractual risks through strategic sourcing. We also lead, manage and continuously improve end-to-end sourcing processes in close cooperation with UPM stakeholders and suppliers.

As IT Sourcing Director, you will lead a globally relevant sourcing area covering technology, IT services, software, cloud, infrastructure, consulting and other IT-related spend. You will play an important role in strengthening strategic category management, supplier relationship management, commercial governance and future-ready IT sourcing capabilities.

In this role, you will

Lead the development and implementation of IT category sourcing strategies, sourcing plans and supplier business plans aligned with UPM’s IT strategy, priorities and business needs

Lead, manage and deliver strategic IT sourcing projects, negotiations and supplier selection processes across software, cloud, IT services, infrastructure, cybersecurity, consulting and technology platforms

Drive commercial value through competitive sourcing, demand and spend transparency, total cost optimization, contract management and supplier performance management

Strengthen supplier relationship management for critical and strategic IT suppliers, including governance models, business plans, performance monitoring, escalation paths, risk mitigation and value delivery

Support effective risk management across IT sourcing, including contractual, cybersecurity, compliance, sustainability, continuity and supplier dependency risks

Build and maintain market and supplier insights, including technology trends, supplier landscape developments, AI and automation opportunities, and emerging commercial models

Collaborate with UPM IT, Sourcing & Procurement Operations, Legal, Finance, Security, business stakeholders and suppliers to support efficient end-to-end sourcing processes and compliant ways of working

Lead, support and develop your sourcing category team to achieve high performance, deliver business impact and build future-ready sourcing capabilities

Who you are

You have experience in sourcing, procurement, supplier management, commercial negotiations or a related area, ideally within an international environment

You bring knowledge of IT services, software, cloud technologies, technology platforms or supplier ecosystems, and you have an interest in emerging technologies, AI, automation and future sourcing approaches

You are confident in developing sourcing strategies, leading negotiations, managing supplier relationships and creating measurable business value

You build strong working relationships and collaborate effectively across functions, cultures and organizational levels

You can balance opportunities and risks, simplify complex topics and bring people together around shared objectives

You communicate clearly and effectively in English and are comfortable engaging with stakeholders across different levels of the organization

You lead with integrity, transparency and an Aiming Higher mindset, and you are motivated to identify opportunities to improve ways of working and deliver better outcomes

We are looking for talent and potential. If your experience does not match every qualification listed above, we still encourage you to apply if you believe you can contribute to the role and grow with us.

This is what we offer to you

A meaningful job: We have an inspiring purpose “We renew the everyday for a future beyond fossils”. Our work is impactful and transformative.

A caring community: Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees.

Development opportunities: We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth.

Responsible employer: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas, from climate change mitigation to enhancing biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.

Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working

Additional information about the position

• The position is located in Helsinki or Tampere, Finland.
• The position holder will report to Vice President, Sourcing, Indirect Materials and Services.
• For further information about the role, please contact Nina Kivioja, Vice President, Sourcing, Indirect Materials and Services at tel. +358403548638 on October 21, 2026 at 14.00 – 15.00 EEST.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by October 30, 2026. Please note that we accept only applications submitted through our online application system. We begin reviewing applications as they are received, and you may be contacted before the application deadline.

For support with submitting your application, please contact our HR Services at [email protected] or tel. +358204146600.

Learn more about how to apply from our Careers page.

Country-specific information

A security background check may be performed for those selected to UPM positions, in accordance with the company recruitment guidelines and the Security Clearance Act 726/2014.

Sourcing

UPM Sourcing is responsible for maintaining a supplier base that can deliver cost-competitive, innovative, and sustainable material and service solutions to UPM businesses globally. The sourcing function consists of proactive, business-minded professionals who are experts on the supply markets. By applying sourcing expertise, business insight, and supply market knowledge, the Sourcing organization advances UPM businesses' profitability and growth.

Our proactive approach to risk assessment is a key part of our operations. We continuously work with over 25,000 material and service suppliers to ensure efficiency, transparency, and responsibility throughout the entire supply chain. We assess environmental, social, and economic risks both globally and at the supplier level. With selected suppliers, Sourcing is building strategic, long-term cooperation to optimize cost and quality without compromising on sustainability and innovation.

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Additional Locations: Tampere