Senior Strategic Purchaser (m/f/d)

About the Job 

As Senior Strategic Purchaser, you will own the end-to-end IT Services category, developing and implementing the category strategy and acting as the primary procurement counterpart for IT stakeholders. This role will involve managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that the company obtains high-quality services at competitive prices.

The role manages an annual IT Services spend of approximately £30 million across a broad base of local and global suppliers. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in procurement, particularly within the IT Procurement domain, and will be adept at driving cost-saving initiatives while maintaining service excellence.

What you do

• Own and lead the IT Services category (e.g. managed services, application development and maintenance, IT consulting, staff augmentation and cloud services), developing and implementing multi-year category strategies and aligning them with business objectives through collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Conduct market analysis to identify potential suppliers, assess market trends, and ensure strategic alignment in the IT Procurement area. Evaluate, select, and manage suppliers based on service quality, cost, and reliability, while maintaining strong relationships and conducting regular performance reviews to ensure service continuity and mitigate supplier risks.
• Lead multiple end-to-end RFPs each year to select strategic integration partners for transformation projects and key critical deliveries, structuring fit-for-purpose commercial models (time and materials, fixed price, outcome-based) supported by robust SLAs and KPIs.
• Lead contract negotiations together with Allianz competence centers (Legal, TPRM, DPO, etc.), securing favorable terms and conditions in alignment with company goals, managing contract documentation, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and drive cost-saving initiatives, tracking procurement performance and implementing best practices to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness while maintaining service quality. Collaborate with various departments to understand IT needs, communicate procurement strategies, provide support, and offer guidance and training to junior procurement staff and internal stakeholders.
• Assess and mitigate procurement risks related to IT services, including ICT third-party and concentration risk (e.g. under DORA), develop exit strategies and contingency plans to ensure service continuity, and ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Ensure compliance with Allianz Standard for Procurement, all connected policies/regulations and guide internal customers and related functions in the correct application of procurement processes. Actively participate in the Procurement digital transformation initiatives.

What you bring

• Proven track record of developing and executing successful procurement strategies aligned with business objectives, demonstrating strong strategic thinking. Excellent negotiation skills with a solid background in contract management, ensuring favorable terms and conditions with suppliers.
• In-depth knowledge of the IT services supplier market and commercial models, SLA/KPI frameworks, and regulatory requirements for ICT outsourcing in financial services (e.g. DORA, EBA Outsourcing Guidelines).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, proficient in analyzing spend data, market trends and resolving procurement challenges effectively. Able to capture main data and use it in a pragmatic way during negotiations and discussion with internal customers
• Fluency in English written and spoken language. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders and convey complex information clearly and concisely. Proficiency in procurement software (SAP MM, Ariba, etc) and Microsoft Office Suite, utilizing these tools to enhance procurement processes and reporting.
• Key competencies include strategic thinking, negotiation, relationship management, analytical skills, communication and problem-solving, ensuring informed procurement decisions and effective supplier management.
• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field (Master's degree is an advantage), with 10+ years of experience in procurement, including significant experience in IT services sourcing and in leading complex RFPs for systems integration and transformation projects
• Experience in working and interacting with Generative AI to support personal productivity and help drive wider Procurement team efficiency.
• Commitment to continuous learning, particularly on developments in the IT services market and technology trends. Hands-on experience with Procurement digital transformation initiatives is considered a plus.

What we offer

• We offer a hybrid work model which recognizes the value of striking a balance between in-person collaboration and remote working incl. up to 25 days per year working from abroad.
• We believe in rewarding performance and our compensation and benefits package includes a company bonus scheme, pension, employee shares program and multiple employee discounts (details vary by location).
• From career development and digital learning programs to international career mobility, we offer lifelong learning for our employees worldwide and an environment where innovation, delivery and empowerment are fostered.
• Flexible working, health and wellbeing offers (including healthcare and parental leave benefits) support to balance family and career and help our people return from career breaks with experience that nothing else can teach.

About Allianz Technology

With its headquarters in Munich, Germany, Allianz Technology is Allianz's global IT service provider and delivers IT solutions that drive the group's digitalization. With more than 11,000 employees in over 20 countries around the world, Allianz Technology is tasked to run, optimize, transform and innovate the infrastructure, applications and services together with Allianz companies to co-create the best customer experience.

We service the entire spectrum of digitalization – from one of the industry's largest IT infrastructure projects that spans data centres, networks and security, to application platforms ranging from workplace services to digital interaction.

In short: We deliver comprehensive end-to-end IT solutions for Allianz in the digital age. We are the backbone of Allianz.

Find us at: www.linkedin.com/company/allianz-technology.

Commitment to Integrity, Fairness & Inclusion

Allianz Group is one of the most trusted insurance and asset management companies in the world. Caring for our employees, their ambitions, dreams and challenges, is what makes us a unique employer. Together we can build an environment where everyone feels empowered and has the confidence to explore, to grow and to shape a better future for our customers and the world around us.

We at Allianz believe in a strong inclusive culture that encourages people to speak their minds, get involved and question the status quo. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourage you to bring your whole self to work, no matter where you are from, what you look like, who you love, or what you believe in. We therefore welcome applications regardless of race, ethnicity or cultural background, age, gender, nationality, religion, social class, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected under applicable local laws and regulations.

To Recruitment Agencies

Allianz Technology has an in-house recruitment team that sources great candidates directly. Therefore, Allianz Technology does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies or search firm recruiters.

When we do work with recruitment agencies, that engagement is formalized by a contract. Fees will only be paid when there is a contract in place. Without a contract in place, we will not accept invoices on unsolicited resumes, even if the candidate was ultimately employed by Allianz.

 108633 | Procurement | Professional | Non-Executive | Allianz Technology | Full-Time | Permanent