Category Manager - Hardware
OptiverAbout the Role
We're building a dedicated Hardware category within our Technology Sourcing team and looking for an experienced Category Manager to help shape and execute our global sourcing strategy for one of Optiver's largest and most strategically important technology spend areas.
Hardware is fundamental to Optiver's trading and enterprise infrastructure. Every server, storage platform, network device and workstation underpins the performance, reliability and scalability of our global technology environment.
In this hands-on commercial role, you'll partner with Infrastructure and Technology teams to optimize supplier relationships, navigate global supply chain dynamics and ensure our hardware strategy supports the long-term performance, resilience and scalability of the business.
Key responsibilities include developing and executing sourcing strategies, leading end-to-end sourcing events (RFI, RFQ, RFP), managing key OEM and supplier relationships, monitoring supplier performance, and serving as a commercial advisor to technical teams.
Requirements
- 5–10 years in technology procurement, strategic sourcing or category management, with significant exposure to technology hardware procurement
- Exposure to financial services, trading or other high-performance technology environments
- Experience sourcing enterprise hardware — servers, compute, networking, storage and related infrastructure
- Proven track record delivering complex, end-to-end sourcing projects (intake through to contract execution) independently and with minimal direction
- Strong commercial judgement negotiating with OEMs, distributors and strategic suppliers — pricing models, commercial terms, warranties, support and long-term agreements
- Working knowledge of hardware supply chain dynamics (lead times, allocation, refresh planning, warranty and support models)
- Strong analytical capability, including total cost of ownership (TCO), should-cost modelling and commercial evaluation
- Experience partnering with technical and commercial stakeholders — translating engineering requirements into sourcing decisions
- Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex technical and commercial concepts for both engineering and leadership audiences
- Experience operating in a matrixed, global environment spanning multiple regions and stakeholders
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or related field
- Familiarity with operational resilience, ICT third-party risk management or regulatory frameworks such as DORA
- Professional procurement qualification (CIPS, CPSM, NEVI or equivalent)
What You'll Get
- A performance-based bonus structure unmatched anywhere in the industry. We combine our profits across desks, teams and offices into a global profit pool.
- The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 50 different countries.
- 25 paid vacation days in your first year, increasing to 30 from your second year onwards.
- Training opportunities, discounts on health insurance, and fully paid first-class commuting expenses.
- Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, world-class barista coffee, in-house physio and chair massages, organized sports and leisure activities, and Friday afternoon drinks.
- Training and continuous learning opportunities, including access to conferences and tech events.
- Competitive relocation packages and visa sponsorship where necessary for expats.