Director of Category Management for Professional Services (Global Procurement)

POSITION SUMMARY

The global procurement Director of Category Management for Professional Services is responsible for overseeing all aspects of negotiation, acquisition, and management of professional services engagements critical to Vertiv's enterprise operations and transformation agenda. This strategic role encompasses management consulting, IT professional services, HR, legal, finance, marketing and engineering services, staff augmentation including vendor management solutions, outsourced business services, and advisory engagements across all Vertiv regions.

This role is essential for optimising Vertiv's professional services supply base — ensuring the organisation secures high-quality, outcome-driven engagements that align with business objectives while adapting procurement strategies to reflect the evolving AI-enabled services landscape. This role requires strong leadership capabilities to drive the execution of global strategies and set regional direction in collaboration with global procurement leadership.

Additionally, this role will play a key role in fostering high-performing teams and ensuring alignment between procurement initiatives and overall business goals, making them a pivotal asset in our organisational success.

The ideal candidate will develop and implement category strategies that meet the diverse needs of business partners across the enterprise, while effectively managing a supply base that drives growth, value realisation, and profitability across all Vertiv regions. They must possess extensive experience in professional services procurement within complex, multi-regional environments, demonstrating a proven track record of delivering global category strategies that enhance cost efficiencies, strengthen supplier relationships, and reposition how the organisation contracts services engagements as AI reshapes the market.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Procurement: Collaborate closely with Vertiv business leaders to identify and source partners for professional services engagements — including management consulting, IT services, HR, legal, finance, marketing and engineering services, staff augmentation, and outsourced business services — ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.

Partner Compliance: Work with business units to enforce compliance with data protection measures, intellectual property safeguards, and regulations governing professional services engagements across all regions.

Supplier Programme Management: Oversee the preferred supplier programme for professional services, developing tailored plans for each partner to ensure business continuity, optimal performance, and competitive pricing.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams in analysing historical spend data, conducting market research, and employing cost modelling techniques to uncover high-value opportunities that drive innovation, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation across the professional services portfolio.

Cost Modelling: Establish comprehensive rate card benchmarking, total cost of engagement, and outcome-based pricing models for key categories, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs and procurement strategies.

Sourcing Strategy Development: Create and implement effective sourcing, negotiation, and contracting strategies — including outcome-based, time-and-materials, and hybrid engagement models — to achieve desired outcomes consistent with global indirect procurement category strategies.

Strategic Leadership: Formulate and execute a robust procurement strategy for professional services, enhancing operational efficiency and aligning with organisational goals — including repositioning how Vertiv contracts services engagements as AI reshapes the market.

Supplier Relationship Management: Identify, evaluate, and cultivate strategic partnerships with key professional services firms, ensuring high-quality, reliable, and competitively priced advisory, consulting, and delivery services.

Cost Efficiency Initiatives: Spearhead cost reduction initiatives and value analysis processes to optimise the total cost of engagement and maximise return on professional services investment.

Risk Management: Conduct in-depth market analyses and risk assessments — including evaluation of AI-driven service delivery models — to proactively mitigate supply chain disruptions and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Collaboration: Partner with IT, HR, finance, legal, marketing operations, and business unit leaders to understand project requirements, ensuring seamless alignment on procurement timelines, specifications, and engagement governance.

Standardisation: Standardise tools, processes, and contracting frameworks for professional services procurement — including statement of work templates, rate card governance, and vendor management system integration.

Team Development: Mentor and lead a high-performing procurement team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional growth.

Performance Measurement: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate procurement effectiveness, supplier performance, and engagement outcomes.

Reporting: Prepare and present comprehensive reports to senior management on procurement performance, trends, and strategic insights to inform decision-making.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.

Master's degree or relevant professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS, MCIPS) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years in procurement or supply chain management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on professional services procurement within a complex, multi-regional environment.
• Proven track record in developing and executing global category strategies that drive cost efficiencies and supplier performance across professional services categories.
• Deep understanding of professional services engagement models, rate card structures, outcome-based contracting, and the evolving impact of AI on services delivery.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Track record of establishing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure procurement effectiveness and drive results.
• ANTICIPATED BUSINESS TRAVEL: ~30%