Sourcing & Category Expert Infrastructure Software
Key Skills
Job Description
At ING, procurement is about collaboration, innovation, and creating strategic impact that drives sustainable growth. We are a global organization in the CFO domain with a presence in more than 20 countries. We embed responsible practices, and deliver solutions that touch every part of the organization. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, approach challenges with curiosity, and want to help shape what’s next, this is your opportunity to make a real difference. The team Group Technology Procurement Category forms part of the Group Procurement organization, it’s lead by Head of Group Technology Procurement. Category Management is a critical procurement discipline within Procurement Organisation to ensure ING achieves best value for money when it comes to procuring its goods and services. It is a well-established, comprehensive, and marketing leading procurement approach that considers ING’s organisational goals, technology strategy, objectives , and requirements, as well as the technology market conditions and innovations, to ensure the most cost-effective, innovative and efficient procurement of goods and services. Technology category consists of Global Category Leads, Sourcing and Category Experts, Sourcing and Contracting experts, Sourcing Project Managers and SAM team. In this pivotal role where you’ll join a newly formed, high-performing team of specialists. Reporting directly to the Global Category Lead for Infrastructure Software, you’ll have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions and deliver results that matter on a global scale. As a Sourcing and Category Expert Infrastructure Software, you will: Create the sourcing execution approach and drive results across global spend categories. Manage critical and strategic contracts, ensuring compliance and value delivery. Develop and execute bank-wide vendor strategies for assigned critical and strategic vendors, influencing decisions at the highest level. This is your opportunity to lead sourcing execution on a global scale, work with strategic partners, and deliver solutions that matter. Join us if you want to be part of the next chapter of procurement journey at ING. Roles And Responsibilities Category Management & Expertise Identify business needs, category specifications, and vendor requirements to shape vendor plans. Provide strategic insights for category plans based on portfolio developments. Leverage your expertise to lead high-impact negotiations with designated vendors. Sourcing Management Define global and local business needs for sourcing projects and vendor relationships. Design and manage sourcing events, including the full RFX process—prepare documentation, train suppliers, issue RFX, and consolidate responses. Negotiate and finalize contracts, ensuring terms and conditions meet business objectives. Oversee contract approvals, supplier onboarding, and compliance checks. Support Procurement Operations with vendor master data and contract lifecycle management. Build and execute vendor plans with clear objectives, fostering strong supplier relationships and driving innovation. Act as a senior sourcing subject matter expert, executing complex initiatives and advising on strategic opportunities. Partner with category managers on stakeholder engagement, strategic initiatives, and supplier segmentation. Ensure contract and third-party risk compliance across all activities. Vendor Management for Strategic Partners Lead negotiations for major scope changes and renewals, maintaining deep knowledge of commercial and contractual developments. Monitor supplier performance, conduct quality assessments, and ensure compliance with contractual terms. Drive continuous improvement and risk mitigation in vendor relationships. Project Management Execute complex sourcing projects, manage global initiatives, and advise senior stakeholders. Strategic Challenges Navigate multi-stakeholder landscapes to balance value, flexibility, and risk. Negotiate with monopolistic or oligopolistic software vendors, creating leverage in pricing and contract terms. Develop strategies to avoid vendor lock-in and increase long-term flexibility. How To Succeed We hire smart people like you for your potential. Our biggest expectation is that you’ll stay curious. Keep learning. Take on responsibility. In return, we’ll back you to develop into an even more awesome version of yourself. Furthermore, You Have 3-6 years in Procurement area at a strategic level in an international organisation (preferably financial services provider). 3+ years cross country negotiations for group wide vendors such as Microsoft, Broadcom (previously Vmware), Oracle, IBM, hyperscalers. Deep understanding of software market trends, dynamics and competitive landscapes. Ability to gather and interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable strategies, defining opportunities for growth and optimize category strategies. Thorough understanding of all license models across Enterprise vendors as Microsoft, Broadcom, Oracle, IBM, hyperscalers is a must, SAP, FIS, core-banking, investment baking applications, or other software vendors is preferred. Experience working with offshore teams. Master English business language/communication (spoken as well as written) Strong project management skills to align with multiple stakeholders Strong negotiation skills Regulatory and Compliance aspects of procurement in finance organisation Legal acumen Deep up-to-date knowledge of commercial and contractual developments for assigned vendors Analytical Skills Strategic mindset: develop and execute best in class sourcing strategies with involvement of Business stakeholders Influencing and conflict resolution skills Agile and self-driven Drive sustainable Procurement Rewards And Benefits We want to make sure that it’s possible for you to strike the right balance between your career and your private life. Find out more about our employment conditions. The benefits of working with us at ING include A salary indication tailored to your qualities and experience Individual leave: 24+2 individual holiday days based on 36 hr workweek Diversity leave: 3 days per year (1,5 paid, 1,5 unpaid) CSR days: up to 2 days per year to actively engage in society by volunteering 13th month salary 8% Holiday payment Individual Savings Contribution (BIS), 3.5% of your gross annual salary Mobility card Attractive pension scheme Hybrid working to blend home working for focus and office working for collaboration and co-creation About Us Curious about how ING empowers people and businesses to move forward? Discover what we do and what we can offer you. Questions? Contact the recruiter attached to the advertisement. Want to apply directly? Please upload your CV and motivation letter by clicking the ‘Apply’ button.
Core Responsibilities
Develop and execute global sourcing and vendor strategies for infrastructure software, including managing strategic contracts, RFX processes, negotiations, supplier performance, and compliance. Lead complex sourcing projects and advise stakeholders while improving value, mitigating risk, and reducing vendor lock-in.
Requirements
Candidates should have 3–6 years of strategic procurement experience and at least 3 years of cross-country negotiations with global software vendors, along with strong knowledge of software markets and enterprise licensing models. The role also requires business-level English, project management and negotiation skills, regulatory and compliance knowledge, legal and commercial acumen, and the ability to influence stakeholders and work with offshore teams.
Benefits
- Individual Leave: 24+2 Days
- Diversity Leave: 3 Days Per Year
- Corporate Social Responsibility Leave: Up To 2 Days Per Year
- 13th Month Salary
- 8% Holiday Payment
- Individual Savings Contribution: 3.5% Of Gross Annual Salary
- Mobility Card
- Pension Scheme
- Hybrid Working
About ING Nederland
Industry: Banking
Company size: 10,001+ employees
ING is a global bank with a strong European base. With 14,500 employees in the Netherlands, we’re one of the biggest employers in the country. Our research tells us that we stand out here because of our great working culture, competitive benefits and interesting work. We believe in sustainable progress for all, not just for the few. We aim to support and contribute to economic, social and environmental progress. Because progress doesn’t start with perfection. It starts with people, their ideas and their drive to make things better. Collaborative and inclusive We’re proud of our diverse and multinational make-up. Joining the ING team means contributing to a collaborative and inclusive culture, having a hybrid way of working and being part of the positive impact that we strive to make on people and the planet. We don’t believe in one ‘perfect’ way of doing things. The best solutions emerge when people work together, stay curious and learn from each other. You’ll get responsibility from day one, along with the trust and freedom to make your own choices and contribute your perspective. Purpose ING’s purpose is empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. This purpose guides us in everything we do. Rather than telling our people what to do, we trust them and encourage them to carve out their career in a way that works best for them. We want to enable people to grow in their own way, without being held down. Because doing great things starts by doing your thing. So, are we offering the perfect job? Maybe not. But you might find something better: a place where you can be yourself, keep growing and make an impact through the work you do.