Category Manager Transport Networks (m/w/d) - 12 Months Fixed Term Contract

Role overview

This position is for a Category Manager focused on Transport Networks procurement within Telefónica. The role centers on end-to-end purchasing activities, category strategy development, and negotiations with international partners across the Telefónica Group, including Europe, the UK, and the Hispam operating business.

The role contributes to procurement savings and process efficiency by coordinating with multiple internal teams during product evaluation, negotiation, and selection. Core category areas include optical transmission networks (xWDM), microwave/radiolink networks, and transport network technologies.

Key responsibilities

The manager will review purchase requests and technical specifications, partnering with budget owners when needed to define requirements. The role includes supporting demand management across different business units and ensuring budgets are identified, available, and aligned with Telefónica’s budgeting standards.

Another major part of the job is standardizing specifications for the products and services within scope to simplify purchasing, strengthen synergies, and improve negotiation outcomes. The category manager will also oversee global procurement activities, define buying strategies, and work to balance strong negotiation results with internal client satisfaction.

The position requires handling supplier offer requests, receipt, review, and consolidation, followed by vendor negotiations based on the objectives of each purchase. The role also includes driving best practices and placing strong emphasis on total cost of ownership analysis.

What you bring

The ideal background includes a university degree in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field relevant to the categories in scope. A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated technical experience in the target areas, or prior experience in procurement for network categories, is expected.

Strong technical knowledge of one or more of the relevant categories is required, along with familiarity with Telefónica network structures and the technologies used. Candidates should understand Telefónica’s procurement model and the associated rules, and be comfortable using negotiation and influencing skills with suppliers.

The role also calls for market awareness, supplier knowledge, a customer-oriented mindset, and a strong focus on results and objectives. Fluency in both English and Spanish, spoken and written, is required; German is considered an advantage.

Additional information

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract based in the Greater Munich Metropolitan Area. The position is onsite.