DWS - Senior Procurement Manager - Category Management - Market Data Services (m/f/d)

About DWS:

At DWS, we’re capturing the opportunities of tomorrow. You can be part of a leading, client-committed, global Asset Manager, making an impact on individuals, communities, and the world.

Join us on our journey, and you can shape our transformation by working side by side with industry thought-leaders and gaining new and diverse perspectives. You can share ideas and be yourself, whilst driving innovative and sustainable solutions that influence markets and behaviours for the better.

Every day brings the opportunity to discover a new now, and here at DWS, you’ll be supported as you overcome challenges and reach your ambitions. This is your chance to lead an extraordinary career and invest in your future.

Read more about DWS and who we are here.

Team / division overview

Responsible for leading the Category Management – Market Data Services team, this is a critical leadership role within the global Procurement Category Management function. This role covers the end-to-end management of MDS consisting of : strategy, governance, and operational delivery of Market Data Services, ensuring optimal commercial and operational performance in support of the firm’s investment and business activities.

The successful candidate will manage a dedicated team of five professionals and serve as the primary point of contact for all market data-related vendor relationships, overseeing sourcing, contracting, risk management, licensing compliance, and cost optimization initiatives.

We have also recently implemented a suite of new systems and enhanced operational processes  to improve management and control of the services, A key responsibility of this role is therefore driving the function toward a state of operational excellence through use of the new systems

Role Details  

As a Senior Procurement Manager you will (be):

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the global category strategy for Market Data Services aligned to business objectives and budgetary targets.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in market data sourcing, usage, and vendor delivery models.
• Partner with key internal stakeholders (e.g., Investment teams, Technology, Finance, Risk, Compliance) to align strategies and priorities.

Change Leadership

• Monitoring adoption and performance of new tools and workflows
• Identifying and resolving process breaks and inefficiencies
• Coaching the team and broader stakeholders about the data driven approach to improved service management  

Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of category managers and analysts, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Set clear objectives and performance goals, and ensure team accountability.

Vendor & Relationship Management

• Oversee and manage key vendor relationships with global and niche data providers.
• Ensure regular service reviews, performance evaluations, and contract renegotiations.
• Ensure compliance with SLAs, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements.

Commercial & Cost Management

• Own and manage the category budget and approval of licensing fees process.
• Deliver savings and value through robust negotiation, demand management, and commercial governance.
• Develop and maintain benchmarks and cost models to support commercial decisions.

Governance & Risk Oversight

• Maintain strong controls around data licensing, entitlements, and usage to mitigate legal and reputational risks.
• Collaborate with internal audit, compliance, and legal teams to ensure regulatory adherence.

Contracting & Sourcing

• Oversee all sourcing and contracting activities for market data vendors, ensuring best cost, appropriate legal and commercial frameworks.
• Implement contract lifecycle management practices across the category.

Key Objectives & Metrics

• Achieve defined cost savings targets and improved total cost of ownership.
• Maintain high vendor service performance and relationship scores.
• Ensure compliance with all licensing and regulatory requirements.
• Deliver a cohesive, high-impact category strategy aligned with business needs.
• Drive team development and engagement.

We are looking for 

• Minimum 10 years’ relevant experience in market data management with expertise in market data products and providers (e.g., Bloomberg, Refinitiv, S&P, ICE, MSCI, etc.).
• Strong knowledge of licensing models, data usage compliance, and financial regulations.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of delivering cost efficiencies and process improvements.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field; professional certifications (e.g., CIPS) desirable.

Posting period: 23.04.2025 until further notice

What we’ll offer you:

Without the ambitions of our people, our achievements wouldn’t be possible. And it’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work - feeling healthy, happy and rewarded. At DWS, you’ll have access to a range of benefits which you can choose from to create a personalised plan unique to your lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, company perks or are thinking about your retirement plan, there’s something for everyone.

Some of our core benefits:
 

• Physical and Mental Health Well-Being benefits including (but not limited to) Statutory Health Insurance (BKK), sickness benefit allowance and support helplines for employees
• Family friendly benefits including generous parental leave packages (supporting all variations of family set-ups) and support in finding childcare options including DWS’s own kindergarten service
• A wide selection of pension plans, Personal Budget Accounts to enable sabbaticals or early retirement and capital-forming benefits
• The opportunity to support our CSR strategy which is focused on combatting climate change & achieving greater social justice. You can make donations to our partnered organisations or take part in corporate volunteering opportunities in your local communities by providing on hand support.
• Mobility services, such as a subsidized Germany ticket and offers for company cars and JobRad

DWS’ current Hybrid Working model is designed to find the balance between in-person collaboration & engagement in the office, which is core to our working culture, whilst still remaining focused on supporting our employees with flexibility. We are committed to support flexible and hybrid working agreements across the globe. Depending on the location or role you are applying for, the split between working in the office and at home will be discussed and made clear as part of your application and interview process.

We will continue to review and evolve our working environments and methods to ensure that we are working in the best way possible for our people.

If you require any adjustments or changes to be made to the interview process for any reason including, or related to a disability or long-term health condition, then please contact your recruiter and let us know what assistance you may need. Examples of adjustments include providing a change to the format of the interview or providing assistance when at the DWS office. This will not affect your application and your recruitment team will discuss options with you. 

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