Job Description

Category Manager – Professional Services | Procurement Manager - Professional Services

Our Team: How we enrich everyday life

You’ll be joining our small but mighty Group Procurement team, a close-knit group of category managers who play a pivotal role in shaping Bauer’s global procurement strategy. We work across diverse categories - IT, HR, and Professional Services - partnering with stakeholders across multiple countries and business units. Our culture is collaborative, innovative, and deeply connected to Bauer’s transformation journey, blending 150 years of tradition with cutting-edge digital innovation.

The Difference you will make

As Category Manager for Professional Services, you will lead strategic procurement initiatives that impact Bauer’s global operations. This is a highly visible role, giving you direct interaction with senior leadership and the executive board. You’ll influence how Bauer partners with top-tier consultancies and boutique firms, ensuring value creation and operational excellence. This is more than a backfill - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of procurement in a creative, fast-evolving environment.

Your Role

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:


Develop and execute category strategies for Professional Services across Bauer’s global businesses. Lead negotiations and manage supplier relationships with major consultancies and niche providers. Drive cost optimization and value creation while maintaining strong stakeholder engagement. Collaborate with hubs in Germany, Poland, and the UK to ensure alignment and operational efficiency. Champion innovation in procurement processes, leveraging tools like Coupa and emerging AI solutions.

The Skills you will bring

Essential:


Proven experience in Professional Services procurement (Big 4/Big 5 or boutique consultancies). Minimum 2 years in Professional Services category management, plus 1–2 years in other categories. Strong analytical and negotiation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders. Fluent in English and German to a professional standard. Ability to operate at Group level, managing complexity across multiple countries and business units.




Desirable:


Familiarity with AI-driven tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) and Coupa. Experience in the media or creative industries.

Working Pattern / Location

Hybrid role based in Hamburg. Current expectation: 3 days onsite per week, moving toward a more flexible model in 2026. Candidates willing to commute from other German cities (e.g., Berlin) will be considered.

What’s in it for you

Individual solutions for the flexible organisation of working hours and location Targeted and individual training for your professional and personal development A central location in Hamburg's city centre with good transport options (bus & train) Subsidy for Deutschlandticket & bike leasing Effective health management (e.g. health week, free sports programmes & Wellhub) 30 days of holiday & frequent events for employees Company restaurant, free magazines & various discounts via corporate benefits A culture in which personal responsibility, teamwork and creativity are valued and you have room for creativity and for exciting and challenging tasks




Closing Statement

If this sounds like a role you’re interested in, apply today! If there’s anything we can do to support your application - whether it’s an alternative format or additional assistance - please let us know.
We are a media business focused on creating content that matters to millions of people across Europe. Our offering extends from print and online publishing to audio broadcasting and entertainment, alongside investments in other media related sectors. With more than 500 million copies sold each year, we are one of Europe’s largest Publishers. From women’s and celebrities’ magazines to TV listings to food and special interest, we own some of the most popular publishing brands in Germany, UK, Poland and France – both digital and print. But not only that. Reaching over 61 million listeners weekly, we operate over 150 radio and podcast brands in nine countries, spanning the UK, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Portugal. Family-owned in the 5th generation, Bauer Media focuses on the long-term, with a consumer-first mindset that guides us across our diverse portfolio. Our workforce of 12,000 shares a common purpose: to deliver content and services that enrich people‘s everyday lives.

We want to inspire not only our customers, we also want to inspire our colleagues. How? By giving you the opportunity to take on responsibility and by offering you a long-term perspective.

You can also benefit from our attractive offers:
Individual solutions for the flexible organisation of working hours and location Targeted and individual training for your professional and personal development A central location in Hamburg's city centre with good transport options (bus & train) Subsidy for Deutschlandticket & bike leasing Effective health management (e.g. health week, free sports programmes & Wellhub) 30 days of holiday & frequent events for employees Company restaurant, free magazines & various discounts via corporate benefits A culture in which personal responsibility, teamwork and creativity are valued and you have room for creativity and for exciting and challenging tasks

If you are looking for an independent position and would like to enrich our existing team with fresh impulses, we look forward to receiving your complete application documents.

Your contact for this position is Robin (Serbanescu)

Reference Number:

We are an international employer and equal opportunities are important to us. That's why we welcome everyone in their uniqueness, regardless of e.g. religion, gender, skin color, disability in our house.

Date Job Posting Last Updated:

18 Nov 2025

Location:

Hamburg, HH, DE, 20077

Req ID:

3243